Urinary Incontinence

Rebecca Rogers, MD

I’m trying to do Kegel exercises, but I’m not sure I’m doing them right. How do I know?

Kegel exercises are performed by contracting the large muscles that line the pelvis. They are a key therapy in the treatment of both stress and urge incontinence. The best way to check whether or not you are doing the exercises correctly is to ask your provider to check the strength of your Kegel at your next pelvic exam. During an annual exam, your doctor usually checks the vagina as well as the size of the uterus and ovaries by doing a bimanual exam. During this exam, your doctor can help you to identify the muscles that you need to contract to do Kegel exercises as well as assess how strongly you contract the muscles.

For additional help, physical therapists who specialize in the treatment of incontinence are also available. This is particularly helpful for women who have a difficult time identifying the correct muscles at an annual exam.

Many women are instructed to practice doing Kegel exercises while voiding. Unfortunately, stopping urine flow while voiding does not ensure that the exercises are done correctly, and may lead to other problems if the flow of urine is frequently interrupted.

Rebecca Rogers, M.D.
Director, Division of Urogynecology
University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center
American Urogynecological Society
National Association for Continence