If you're a regular watcher of women's talk shows or the Sex and the City series and films, then you probably know what Kegels are. The exercise is named after Dr. Arnold Kegel, who invented an instrument that measured the strength of pubococcygeus, or PC, muscles. These muscles exist in the pelvic floor of both men and women, and they can weaken as a result of pregnancy, childbirth and prostate issues in men. The result of that weakening can mean urinary incontinence, stress incontinence and erectile dysfunction in men. For both men and women, strengthening the PC muscles can lead to heightened sexual enjoyment by allowing men to control the onset of ejaculation. And because this is the muscle that contracts when women have orgasms, it can increase the intensity and probability of having an orgasm.
Obstetricians advise their patients to begin a Kegel regimen before giving birth to allow for a smoother delivery and to prevent weakening after childbirth, which can lead to incontinence and uterine prolapse. The way to do a proper Kegel exercise is to contract the muscles that control the flow of urine and hold the contraction for three seconds, then relax for three seconds. Repeat 10-15 times each day. If you feel your stomach or buttock muscles contract, then you're not doing it correctly - attempt to isolate only the muscles that control the starting and stopping of urine. Your doctor can help you do them the right way so that you reap all the benefits.