Pelvic Exercisers - anyone used it? Do they work?

[greenday]

Hi,
I'm experiencing post-natal incontinence and posted a thread about it. Got useful info and encouragment and since then, have discovered a world of pelvic devices previously unbeknownst to me.

I'm now wondering if anyone has used a pelvic exerciser and if it is worth the money spent. I'm thinking of the Kegel 8 Pelvic Exerciser.

Anyone with experiences, would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!

bump ... anyone?

Bump again ...

OK, one last time ... bump ...

My physio said steer clear - they'll only depress you. just do the exercises without kit - exercisers are for people with top fit pelvic floor. I bought some pf weights but she said to chuck them.

Recently chatted to a sixty year old friend about allthis. She said she has been doing pelvic floor exercises when she's driving ever since she had her first child 35 years ago. She says she's the only one of her friends who has no prob with leaking.

I've got probs after dd born 3 months ago - but is getting better tho more slowly than i'd like

I agree with incorporating the pelvic floor exercises into your lifestyle like Noviceknitter's friend. Daily pelvic floor exercises for the rest of your life- for instance every time you stop at a red light(I read that somewhere), or every time you check your email or go on mumsnet.

It's not as hard as it sounds, and the benefits are huge. Incontinence is such a huge problem for many women.

Oh thank you!! Thank you for responding.

I read an old thread where some have used cones (although there wasn't really any conclusion about its usefulness).

One reason for my interest in these exercisers is that it may be hard to isolate the pelvic muscle and therefore, it is common to do the exercises wrongly.

I gave bith 4 weeks ago. My progress is quite slow - I leak most when I walk and I can't help feeling disheartened as I think twice about going out and don't enjoy being out as much, which then affects my 2 DCs wellbeing, I guess.

it's still early days - just four weeks after giving birth - and things will improve.

The pelvic floor muscle is the muscle that you use to hold urine in. You shouldn't practice the exercise with a full bladder - you should go to the toilet first.

You can get a referral to a pelvic floor physio, who will help you isolate the muscles correctly. I know one, locally, and she's said the exercisers aren't really helpful, and you can achieve the same goals without them.

I knew it was a good idea to check with you helpful mners first before rushing out to buy one.
I will wait till my 6-week check up to get a referral to a physio. I guess I am being impatient to get my life back in order, iykwim. x

Just a thought - wouldn't physios say they don't work? Afterall, if we all bought a pelvic exerciser, the physios would be out of jobs, right?
Also, I was under the impression that physios use such devices for their work as well?

The physio I know said that they work ok, but you can do as much without them.

Thanks NQC! That figures ..

Hi Greenday im new on here. I bought a Kegalmaster pelvic exercicer off the internet. Its a variable resistance trainer. It worked really well for me after my 10.2lb boy was born. No more leaks and added side-effect of increasing pleasure for both of us between-the-sheets! Would recommend, cost bout £45.00.