Publication:

Role of postpartum Kegel exercises in the prevention and cure of stress incontinence

Background Urinary incontinence in the post partum is a significant health problem in women with serious physical, psychological, and social consequences. The objective of this article is to educate women the correct method to do Kegel exercises, to assess their improvement and to introduce Kegel exercise regimen in every women in the postpartum period.

Methods 72 women in postpartum period with genuine stress incontinence (GSI) included in the study from January 2012 to July 2014 in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of VCSGGMSRI Srinagar, Pauri Garhwal, India. Women divided into 2 groups, first group of supervised Kegel exercises and second group was of women doing pelvic floor exercises at home. To monitor improvement, monthly assessment of pelvic floor function (vaginal palpation and observation) and measurement of PFM strength (vaginal squeeze pressure) by physician and patient both, done in the 2 groups.

Results The women were in the age group of 18-39 years. There were 15 % patients in dry category, 52 % had good improvement and 21 % had fair results. In the supervised exercise group the patients with good clinical response were 80% in the cured and borderline responder category. In the non-supervised group patients in the cured and borderline responders group were (6) 16% and (12) 33% respectively.

Conclusions The high cure rate depends on the factors like how correctly the Kegel exercises were instructed, how correctly the patients learned and performed them.