Uterine Prolapse Treatment: Kegel Exercises and Pelvic Floor Muscle Training for a Prolapsed Uterus

Uterine prolapse occurs due to a weakening in the uterine wall resulting in the herniation of the uterus into the vaginal canal [1]. This condition is believed to affect at least 40 percent of women to some degree [2]. This condition can manifest in a multitude of ways but most likely with feelings of pelvic heaviness, urinary incontinence or low back pain [3]. Thankfully, most cases of uterine prolapse do not require surgery immediately but roughly 1 in 10 women will eventually need to have some form of uterine wall surgery by the age of 80 [4]. For the majority of women, simple exercises can be an alternative option for their uterine prolapse treatment. 

Contraction Kegel Exercises to Combat Uterine Prolapse 

There is countless talk circulating around the mainstream media about the benefits of Kegel exercises on women's health. Many talk shows will have sworn Testimony from women about the effectiveness of these maneuvers and yet there are not many easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions to help women maneuver through these exercises.

Before you begin your Kegel exercises, the main point to be mindful of is to make sure that your bladder has been recently emptied to avoid a potential incontinence. It is also important for women to understand where exactly the "Kegel" muscles are to ensure that they are doing the exercises correctly.

Once you have established where the muscles are, it is best to begin light exercise routines in order to make sure you are routinely strengthening them.

The best position for your Kegel exercise is on the floor in a supine position facing upwards. Physicians recommend placing one hand on your abdomen during your Kegel contractions to ensure that the abdomen and buttocks are not activated during your routine.The focus should be only on the pelvic muscles and all subsequent strain can actually leave you with lower back pain and discomfort.

As you progress in your training, women should not exceed more than 10 seconds of contractions at a time no matter how seasoned you may be with these training to avoid muscle fatigue. You will begin to notice results within a month of beginning these simple maneuvers in most cases. [5] 

These Kegel exercises are easy routines you will be able to do at home and they can combat a number of symptoms that manifest from uterine prolapse: namely urinary incontinence. In one study, women were instructed to contract their pelvic muscles 100 times per day in 10 set increments for over 8 weeks of the trial. At the conclusion of the study, researchers concluded that these exercises significantly improved the quality of life in the women who participated in the study. Nearly 70 percent of women suffering from simple stress incontinence, a form of incontinence directly caused by a weakening of the pelvic muscles, claimed to have a noticeable improvement in their symptoms compared to only 40 percent of women having incontinence due to unspecific origins. [7]

Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Concerned a more modified and comprehensive approach compared to the traditional Kegel exercises, pelvic floor muscle training is becoming more and more useful as a method for their uterine prolapse treatment. These exercises are commonly used already in a medical setting in the obstetrics department.

In one study, pregnant women were followed throughout their pregnancies. Women were grouped based on if they had episodes of incontinence before delivery or were able to control their urinary outflow throughout the entire pregnancy. At the conclusion of the study, it was determined that women who were able to control their urinary output during the pregnancy greatly benefited from these pelvic exercises and were less likely to report incontinence even 6 months after delivery. Those who had episodes of incontinence were also instructed to begin these pelvic floor training exercises and it was determined that women who routinely did these exercises noticed much quickly control of their urinary outflow compared to women not completing these exercises. [8]

Regardless of your preference, both Kegel exercises and Pelvic Floor Training maneuvers can both be used to fight the same problems. Through a combination of these routines, women will be able to enjoy a higher quality of life without being fearful of common complications associated with uterine prolapse.