The Kegel muscle takes its name from the American physician Arnold Kegel, who in the 1940s invented exercises designed to strengthen the pubococcygeus muscle. The aim of the exercises is to strengthen, as well as to learn to control the pelvic floor muscles. In developing the exercise method, Dr Kegl used a device that functioned similarly to a blood pressure measuring device (the patient, with a probe inserted into her vagina, learned to contract her muscles by observing the changes in the tilt of the mercury column).

Kegel muscles - characteristics

The Kegel (pelvic floor) muscle is the pubococcygeus muscle connecting the pubic bone to the coccyx (known as the coccyx). It cushions the floor of the uterus and supports the organs located there, such as the bladder, uterus and rectum.

The pelvic floor muscles are made up of three layers - the surface is made up of muscle fibres that run in different directions (this helps to secure and hold the internal organs in place).

Important! The muscles are responsible for holding urine and faeces. In addition, they hold the internal organs (e.g. the uterus) in place.

It is very easy to locate the muscles of the pelvic floor - it is enough to hold back urine during a visit to the toilet (by tightening the urethral muscles, the muscles that surround the entrance to the vagina and rectum are also tightened - these are the Kegel muscles).

Kegel muscles - role

The pelvic floor muscles discover a key role during childbirth. It is thanks to them that the baby can be delivered (during pregnancy and during birth, both the perineum and pelvic tissues undergo a process of stretching - making it easier for the baby to come out).

Important! The risk of a perineum rupture during natural childbirth is reduced.

In addition, the proper condition of these muscle groups influences:

• the maintenance of urine;
• maintaining faeces;
• preventing uterine prolapse;
• less chance of the organs in the abdominal cavity falling down;
• improved quality of sexual life.

Important! Weakening of the Kegel muscles is influenced by pregnancy, childbirth, being overweight and ageing.

If the muscles are too relaxed, there is a risk of conditions such as stress urinary incontinence (common in women after natural childbirth) and uterine descent (Kegel muscles are responsible for keeping the uterus in place).

Bearing in mind how important these muscles are for the proper functioning of the body - it is worth taking care of them by exercising regularly.

Kegel muscles and sex

There is a lot of talk about the effect of well-trained pelvic floor muscles on improving sexual experience. Is this really true? Yes - strong Kegel muscles not only enhance sensation for both partners, but also make it easier for the woman to reach orgasm.

Important! "Sexual potential" of the pelvic floor muscles was discovered a century ago by the American surgeon and gynaecologist Robert Latou Dickinson. He investigated that prostitutes have much stronger pelvic floor muscles than other women.

The exact role played by the Kegel muscles during orgasm is still under investigation - the vaginal walls themselves are not sensitive. It is the muscles that surround the vagina that are responsible for sexual sensation.

According to experts, the mechanism of muscle action, in terms of sexual sensation, is as follows:

1. During excitement, pelvic muscle contractions increase the blood supply to the clitoris. The clitoral tissues absorb blood (the process is felt as pleasant tension).
2. The pelvic floor muscles, which are shallow, increase the pressure on the blood vessels present in the clitoris.
3. The contraction of the muscles of the pelvic floor during the sexual act enables orgasm to be reached by drawing the front of the vagina to the inner parts of the clitoris.

Important! The better trained the Kegel muscles, the more intense and the longer the orgasm.