Articles

Troubleshooting

Monday, 1 June 2009 13:00:20 BST

You've now used your Kegel8 and you have some questions:

Q How often should I use the Kegel8?

Initially we recommend you use the Kegel8 once a day for 12 weeks. Always use the KE Gel because it actually helps to make your Kegel8 exercising even more effective. You can use your Kegel8 during your period if you wish, and it is a great way to relieve menstrual cramps and period pain.

After your initial 12 week daily routine you can move onto a maintenance programme, that's exercising a couple of times a week. Some women who have a particularly weak pelvic floor continue using it daily until they are much stronger.

Q. I can't get the mA's past 6, 7 or 8, 9, 10, 11.

If you do not get an effective contact with the probe you will find that you cannot increase the mA's up to a suitable level to exercise you effectively. The mA's will go to 6, 7 or 8, 9, 10, 11 but no higher, it will then return to zero, or switch off the Kegel8. This is a cut-off device and it means that you are not getting direct contact with the probe at all times. The probe must maintain contact with your pelvic floor muscle at all times to exercise it properly. If this happens with your machine, it is not a machine fault; it is probe positioning that is at fault.

What do you need to do?

Make sure the probe is inserted as far as possible. You might like to wear Sloggies or some tight pants to make sure it remains in place, or a tight pair of trousers.
Make sure the metal parts of the probe (the electrodes) are facing hip to hip when the probe is inserted vaginally or anally.
If this is happening with the Kegel8 (tubular) probe, you might want to consider trying the wider lighter Periform probe.
Try not to move around too much as this may displace the probe.
Adjust your seating position; sit with your buttocks tightly together as if trying to hold in wind.
Conductivity is also improved by using the lubricant provided, it is water based, and body friendly and you'll get better results.

Q. What are mA's?

mA is the shortened term of milliampere, 1mA is one thousandth of an Ampere (A) which is used to measure the amount of electric charge. The higher the mA's the stronger the Kegel8 workout. Keep it comfortable, but aim to feel a strong contraction.

Q. How should I insert the probe?

The vaginal probe needs to be inserted just 2 inches (5.5 cm) this is the optimum level to stimulate your pelvic floor muscle. Insert it in as far as possible, make sure the electrodes (that's the metal bit) are facing hip to hip. You might find it helpful to wear a pair of tight pants such as Sloggies or even tight trousers. Keep the probe in place at all times or the machine will cut out and fail to increase the mA's (intensity).

Q. Can I use the Kegel8 if I have an IUD or Mirena coil fitted?

Yes. The Mirena is plastic so not problems there. Any IUD containing copper is unaffected by the Kegel8 and STIM so no problems there either.

Q. Can I use my Kegel8 when I have a period?

You can use your Kegel8 during your period if you wish, and it is a great way to relieve menstrual cramps and period pain as well as strengthening your pelvic floor at the same time.

Q. Can I use the Kegel8 whilst pregnant?

NICE Clinical guidelines advise against using any STIM machines vaginally during pregnancy.

Q I Can't Feel it - Is it working?

You need to adjust the mA's button, that's the plus button (+) on probe side.

Increase the mA's until you can feel the muscles contracting. When you do the hand test you'll find you can only go up to about 8mA's, vaginally you can go a lot higher but make sure you keep it comfortable, but get a strong muscle contraction. Kegel8's actually go to a maximum of 90mA's.

Increase the mA's - remember the stronger the pull, the stronger the exercise.

Q. I aim to have my mA's on 40 but on some programmes it drops to 30, why is that?

When the programme goes through its preset routine the pulse width and pulse length varies, when the pulse rate and length increase the mA's drop so that the intensity does not take you by surprise! So if you feel a decrease in intensity increase the mA's back up to a level that you can feel working.

Q. How soon after giving birth can I start with my Kegel8?

Consult with your Midwife or Doctor. Generally women feel happy to start after a successful six week check-up.

Q. I have just had pelvic surgery, how soon can I start to use the Kegel8?

Consult with your Doctor or Consultant, every case is different, but the Kegel8 could help to speed your recovery. Stress Incontinence, and prolapse is usually a sign of a weak pelvic floor, so if you have had an operation to help with either of these conditions you will still need to strengthen it. The Kegel8 is ideal, but check with your Doctor or physiotherapist.

Q I find it painful inserting the probe?

Use the lubricant, this isn't supplied just to help make insertion easier, it also helps with the conductivity. The better conductivity is the more the muscle will be exercised and the more mA's you'll be able to achieve. If you are menopausal you could be suffering from vaginal atrophy, this causes vaginal dryness, thinning of the vaginal membrane and great discomfort. If the lubricant does not help, your Doctor can prescribe a course of oestrogen cream, use this for the recommended time, and then re commence using the Kegel8. Remember the pelvic floor needs to be exercised, do not be put off by vaginal atrophy, there are easy solutions for all women to overcome this painful condition.

Q. Why are there two channels?

Channel A (left hand side) is generally used for a vaginal probe, Channel B on the right hand side is generally used for an anal probe. If you have suffered from an anal prolapse please telephone us and we can help you with a customised programme for your condition, a selection of anal probes are also available. You can also use electrodes with your Kegel8; these high quality skin electrodes can be used outside the body to help strengthen muscles even further.

Q How do I clean my probe?

Simply rinse the probe part under the tap, keeping the wires dry at all times. Do not boil the probe. If you want to use the same probe vaginally to anally this is OK, but always thoroughly clean it because bacteria can transfer from the anus.

Q Why can I only feel the stimulation on one side?

You do not have proper connectivity with the probe you need to adjust your exercising position, ensuring the probe touches both sides of the vagina/muscle wall. If your vagina has been stretched through childbirth and you are not feeling the probe on both sides, you need to sit with your legs tightly together, squeezing your pelvic floor as much as you can against the probe. Don't forget the lubricant to add greater conductivity.