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Pelvic Support

Kegel exercises are designed to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor. They were originally developed by Dr. Arnold Kegel in 1948 as a method of controlling incontinence in women following childbirth and strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. These exercises are now recommended for women with urinary stress incontinence, incontinence after childbirth, men who may have urinary incontinence after prostate surgery and people who have fecal incontinence.

Internet Resources

MedlinePlus: Pelvic Support Problems
(http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/pelvicsupportproblems.html)
Developed at the National Library of Medicine specifically for health care consumers, this site is a portal for both government-sponsored and privately developed health information targeting the lay public.

American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
(http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp012.cfm)
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, or ACOG, provides excellent information for understanding pelvic support problems and the symptoms associated with the disorder.

National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
(http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/pdf/exercise_ez.pdf)
The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC) is a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1987, the Clearinghouse provides information about diseases of the kidneys and urologic system to people with kidney and urologic disorders and to their families, health care professionals, and the public.

American Urogynecologic Society Foundation
(http://www.mypelvichealth.org/)
This Web site has been designed by physicians for women who want to know more about pelvic floor disorders (PFD), a treatable medical condition affecting millions of women. The AUGS Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life for women who suffer from pelvic floor disorders.

Journal Articles

  • “Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment for urinary incontinence in women. A Cochrane systematic review.” Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2008 Mar;44(1):47-63.
  • "Physiotherapy for urinary incontinence." Aust Fam Physician. 2008 Mar;37(3):118-21.
  • "Role of different childbirth strategies on pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence: a prospective study." Chin Med J (Engl). 2008 Feb 5;121(3):213-5.
  • “Kegels Hold Up as Urinary Incontinence Treatment.” Harvard Women’s Health Watch. May 2006. 13(9):7.
  • “Urinary Incontinence: Taking Charge of a Common Problem.” Mayo Clinic Women’s Healthsource. September 2006. 10(9):4–5.
  • “When Nature Calls Too Often.” Johns Hopkins Medical Letter, Health After 50. November 2006. 18(9):4–5.

Books

  • A Woman’s Guide to Urinary Incontinence. Genadry, R. 2008
  • Ever Since I Had My Baby: Understanding, Treating, and Preventing the Most Common Physical Aftereffects of Pregnancy and Childbirth. Goldberg RP. 2003.
  • A Seat on the Aisle, Please: The essential guide to urinary tract problems in women. Kavalier, E. 2006
  • Saving the Whole Woman. Kent, C. 2006
  • The Female Pelvic Floor. Petros, P. 2007
  • Regaining Bladder. Rogers, R. 2006
  • Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Longe JL, ed. 2005. Available in print at the Health Learning Center or electronically at http://www.nmh.org/nmh/hlc/main.htm.
  • Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Longe JL, ed. 2006. Available in print at the Health Learning Center or electronically at http://www.nmh.org/nmh/hlc/main.htm.

Contact Us

For more information, please contact the Alberto Culver Women’s Health Learning Center at 312.472.3640, or e-mail us at womenshealthcenter@nmh.org

Review Date: 11/08

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Alberto Culver Women’s Health Learning Center
(312) 472-3640