Exercising Your Pelvic Muscles - December 1, 2000

Please note: This information was as current as we could make it on the date given above. But medical information is always changing, and some information given here may be out of date. For regularly updated information on a variety of health topics, please visit familydoctor.org, the AAFP patient education Web site.

An article on this topic is available in this issue of AFP.

Exercising Your Pelvic Muscles

How do pelvic muscles get weak?

Pelvic muscles help stop the flow of urine. Pregnancy, childbirth and being overweight can weaken the pelvic muscles. Fortunately, pelvic muscles are just like other muscles--exercises can make them stronger. Women who leak urine may have better control of these muscles by doing pelvic muscle exercises called Kegel exercises.

Which muscles control my bladder?

At the bottom of the pelvis, several layers of muscle stretch between your legs. The muscles attach to the front, back and sides of the pelvic bones. Two pelvic muscles do most of the work. The biggest one stretches like a hammock. The other is shaped like a triangle (see picture below).

These are the same muscles that you would use to try to stop the flow of urine. They are the muscles you will exercise and strengthen.

How do I exercise pelvic muscles?

You can exercise almost anywhere and any time--while driving in a car, at your desk or watching TV. To exercise these muscles, just pull in or "squeeze" your pelvic muscles (as if you are trying to stop urine flow). Hold this squeeze for about 10 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds. Do 3 to 4 sets of 10 contractions per day.

Be patient and continue to exercise. It takes time to strengthen the pelvic muscles, just like it takes time to improve the muscles in your arms, legs or abdomen. You may not notice any change in bladder control until after six to 12 weeks of daily exercises. Still, most women notice an improvement after just a few weeks.

A few points to remember

Weak pelvic muscles often lead to urine leakage.

Daily exercises can strengthen pelvic muscles.

These exercises often improve bladder control.

Ask your doctor or nurse if you are squeezing the right muscles.

Tighten your pelvic muscle before sneezing, lifting or jumping. This can prevent pelvic muscle damage and urine leakage.

Continue to exercise. If the exercises work, continue to do them, just like any other exercises.

Daily pelvic muscle exercise log

I exercised my pelvic muscles ______ times daily.
I spent _____ minutes exercising.
At each exercise session, I contracted my pelvic muscles _____ times.

This handout provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. To find out if this handout applies to you and to get more information on this subject, talk to your family doctor.

Visit familydoctor.org for information on this and many other health-related topics.

Copyright © 2000 by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Permission is granted to print and photocopy this material for nonprofit educational uses. Written permission is required for all other uses, including electronic uses.

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