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Dr. Andre A. Kulisz
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| Interesting Devices for Pelvic Floor Exercises |
NOTE: Kulisz.com does not endorse any of the brands /products below and does not have any financial ties to or benefits from their manufacturers.
There are more and more of various devices that can aid in the pelvic floor exercises. Sometimes those devices are called "vaginal exercisers." To be beneficial in aiding exercises they must provide FEEDBACK. It doesn't matter if the feedback is in the form of a digital readout, or a sensation, or a sound (click). The feedback (called in medicine biofeedback) is essential to make patient aware of the status of the exercise, progress and improvement. Kegel exercises involve FEEDBACK. The great news is that Des Chutes Medical in Oregon developed FRIA (1) an excellent, personal biofeedback device that is really affordable. In fact, the device is routinely used as a daily exercising aid for the patients going through the Pelvitrax program.
There are basically three types of exercisers:
Feedback (biofeedback) exercisers for original Dr. Kegel's exercises (the real "McCoy" of stress incontinence treatment)
Mechanical exercisers and stimulators (examples listed below)
Electronic/electromagnetic stimulators (intravaginal, intrarectal and external)
The outcome of their use is similar: they restore tonus of the pelvic floor (although with various degrees of success, depending upon the kind of the device and patient's commitment) thus help end the incontinence. Please keep in mind that the commitment is what makes the difference between unsuccessful and successful treatment. There is also a body of evidence that strong pelvic floor improves the sensation of vaginal intercourse.
Although there are definitely applications for all kinds of devices (there is no such a thing like one size fits all, or rather one treatment method cures all the problems) I personally vote for personal devices -- at least initially. They are usually inexpensive and simple, and they require conscious effort which, I believe, helps in the faster restoration of the muscle tonus. Unlike clinical devices, many of them can be purchased without the prescription and tried in the privacy of your home -- see FRIA above. They may be all that you need to get out of the early stage of the stress urinary incontinence. If you are interested in biofeedback see Dr. Perry's incontinet.com. It is a great web site on biofeedback for treatment of urinary and fecal incontinence.
I had a possibility to evaluate several mechanical exercise devices. There are three (as of now) that, I think, maybe of benefit in pelvic floor exercises: Kolpexin (unfortunately, not available in the United States) and Feminine Personal Trainer (FTP) (2) from Ralston Group (800-867-3726). Another one is Femina(TM), a new vaginal exercise device from Canada. Obviously, there are many other devices that we have not seen. Will post them here as soon as we can evaluate them. If you know about a device please send me an e-mail. Your good (or bad) experience will be an important indicator to others and help them select proper devices and methods.
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(1), (2), Fria and Feminine Personal Trainer were used routinely in the PELVITRAX (TM) incontinence treatment program by the Pelvitrax program clinic in San Antonio, Texas. For information on this program call Dr. Kulisz at 210-402-3939
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