Jump to content

Choose locationKahi Mohala
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
  • Locations
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Kāhi Mōhala
  • Ask an Expert
  • Kegel Exercises for Urinary Incontinence
Content

Ask An Expert

Kegel Exercises for Urinary Incontinence

Wesley S. Hilger

Wesley S. Hilger, M.D., FACOG

Sutter Roseville Medical Center

Surgery Center Division

Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento

Sutter Independent Physicians

Question:

I've had incontinence since giving birth. The doctor keeps telling me to do my kegels, but it's not working. Are kegels supposed to fix all incontinence problems due to childbirth, or could something else be going on?

Answer:

Many studies have shown a connection between vaginal birth and bladder symptoms. In fact, one in three women will have incontinence during her lifetime, and of these up to 65 percent will recall that it began either during pregnancy or after childbirth.

There are several theories for why this occurs. During vaginal delivery, as the baby passes through the birth canal (vagina), there is a tremendous amount of stretching of the surrounding muscle, nerves and connective tissue. All together these structures make up an area of the pelvis called the pelvic floor.

The pelvic floor plays a crucial role in urinary continence. Sometimes the stretching can be so significant that these structures can be torn or damaged. Studies have shown that most women will heal and recover from a vaginal delivery. Those women who do not recover may note symptoms of urinary incontinence, vaginal laxity (prolapse) or fecal incontinence.

Urinary incontinence can be caused by a urethra that lacks support due to tearing of supporting connective tissue during birth. Sometimes strengthening the kegel muscles around the urethra may be enough to make up for the weakened connective tissue. However, in some women even strong kegel muscles may not be able to compensate for a sagging urethra that lacks adequate connective tissue support. Hundreds of kegels a day may not keep the leaking away in this situation.

Often women are told to do kegels but they not instructed in the appropriate technique. If you think that the kegels are not helping with urinary leakage, it is important to ask yourself a few questions.

First, are you doing the kegel exercises correctly? If you do them incorrectly (i.e., if you bear down rather than kegel correctly) you may cause more damage to what you are trying to fix. If you are unsure, ask your provider to assess your kegel ability or ask to be referred to a specialist who can assess you and teach the appropriate technique. Second, have you given the kegel exercises an appropriate amount of time and effort? A good regimen should be tried for three months before you give up.

If you have done your kegels religiously and still note no improvement in the urinary incontinence symptoms, then it is time to speak to your provider about other treatment options. If the leakage is due to a loss of connective tissue support for the urethra that the kegels cannot overcome, you may be a candidate for a minimally invasive sling procedure. An evaluation by a provider experienced in dealing with urinary incontinence will help you find the right answer.

Related Questions

Question
  • Incontinence After Hysterectomy?
    I had a partial hysterectomy at 29. Now, at 43, I have bladder control problems with coughing or sneezing, and not making it to the restroom. This is not a small amount, even if I have recently gone. Is this related to the hysterectomy?
  • Clitoris Changes with Age
    Does the clitoris disappear with age? After 70?
  • Bleeding after Sex in Older Women
    Is it normal for a 60-year-old woman to have bleeding after sex?
  • Painful Intercourse Causes and Treatment
    I'm a woman (60) who had not had sex for 10 years. I recently decided to start again, but intercourse was very painful. I have tried several times, but with the same results. What causes this pain and what can I do that will help?
  • PMS Symptoms After a Full Hysterectomy?
    Why do I still have PMS every month even though I've had a full hysterectomy? I thought the days of irritability, depression, and bloating would be gone since it's been four years since the surgery. I've talked to three doctors but they can't explain it.

Back to Women's Health

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Annual Report
  • Awards
  • Community Benefit
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Giving
  • Find Care

  • Birth Centers
  • Care Centers
  • Emergency Rooms
  • Hospitals
  • Imaging
  • Labs
  • Surgery Centers
  • Urgent Care
  • Walk-In Care
  • View All >
  • Featured Services

  • Behavioral Health
  • Cancer Services
  • Family Medicine
  • Home Health and Hospice
  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatrics
  • Pregnancy
  • Primary Care
  • Women's Health
  • View All >
  • Patient Resources

  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Classes and Events
  • Estimate Costs
  • Health and Wellness
  • Medical Records
  • Medicare Advantage
  • My Health Online
  • Pay a Bill
  • Symptom Checker
  • Our Team

  • For Employees
  • Physician Careers
  • Recruiting Events
  • Residencies and Fellowships
  • Sutter Careers
  • Vendors
  • Volunteers
    • ADA Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

    • LinkedIn Opens new window
    • YouTube Opens new window
    • Facebook Opens new window
    • Twitter Opens new window
    • Glassdoor Opens new window
    • Instagram Opens new window

    Copyright © 2022 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

    Cookie Policy

    We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

    Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences