Your Questions

Q. Who needs to exercise with a Kegel8?

You do! All women need a Kegel8! Your pelvic floor muscles will weaken if you do not exercise them. A weak pelvic floor has thin muscles that over time become unable to support your pelvic organs – that’s why you leak or sex doesn’t feel as good as it used to.

Q. How does a Kegel8 work?

Kegel8 Ultra, Tight & Tone and Kegel8 Pelfit are electronic exercisers – they work by delivering electronic pulses directly to your pelvic floor muscles from a probe. This electronic pulse makes your muscles contract, automatically making them work. This is an ideal way to exercise muscles that are weak – so often women tell us that they are unable to ‘feel’ their pelvic floor muscles to be able to exercise them properly. A Kegel8 Stim machine literally brings the muscles back to life; stimulating blood flow into the pelvic area, increasing circulation, the blood brings oxygen which in turn feeds your muscles making then strong and thick once again get the pelvic floor strong again and you’ll find your pelvic organs are supported, no laughter leaks and better sex too! Oh, and another bonus - a strong pelvic floor can help to flatten your tummy and reduce lower back pain too!

Q. Do I need to exercise forever?

Like any exercise routine you have to incorporate it into your lifestyle, and then you will continue to reap the benefits of a strong pelvic floor. If you stop doing pelvic floor exercises your muscles will weaken again and all those benefits will be lost. With the Kegel8 you’ll find maintenance is simple, just a couple of times a week will keep you tight for life!

Q. Can’t I just use a panty pad?

Yes, you can use a panty pad or panty liner, but this isn’t going to solve the problem of a weak pelvic floor, and as you get older it will get worse. Even small leaks of urine are warning signs that all is not as it should be, and we urge you to start kegel exercising as soon as possible. You can follow our guidelines on manual pelvic floor exercises – those ‘squeeze and release’ exercises that you can do anywhere to get started. If you find it difficult to ‘squeeze and release’ then your pelvic floor muscles may be very weak and need a helping hand to spring them back into action – that’s where Kegel8 will help!

Q. Is it just for naughty thrills?

Not at all – but one of the side effects of a strong pelvic floor is greater sexual pleasure and stronger orgasms (for you and your partner). Kegel8 Ultra, Tight & Tone and Pelfit machines are registered Medical Devices, many have been used in clinical trials. They work by making your pelvic floor muscles stronger; stopping laughter leaks and keeping you tight for life. The fact that you are using a probe in your vagina or anus means that you are getting deep into the muscle bed to do the strengthening exercises correctly.

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 machines 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. 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. What does an Electronic Kegel8 Exerciser feel like?

It is really comfortable to use, you’ll feel a pulling sensation as the muscle contracts, it will relax again, then contract. It does this throughout the pre-set programmes exercising and strengthening and helping you get on with your life!

Q. Which way should I insert the probe?

Some probes such as the Kegel8 Comfort probe, Periform probe and Anuform probe have side electrodes – these should always be used with the electrodes (metal parts) facing hip-to-hip.

Q. How far should the probe be inserted?

You should placing the probe inside the first 2 inches (5.5cm) of your vagina, make sure that if you move around the probe doesn’t become dislodged. Sometimes you might find a tight pair of panties, or jeans will help keep the probe in place.

Q. Do I need to use a lubricant?

We recommend you use KE Gel – this is because it adds moisture, and the Kegel8 Ultra, Tight & Tone and Pelfit work better with moisture.

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. What level mA’s should I use?

The mA’s is also the pulse intensity. We are all different and this can be affected by skin thickness, skin circulation and the quality f electrode (metal part of the probe) contact. Always choose a level that feels comfortable for you, it should never feel uncomfortable, just a firm muscle contraction. We advise all users to make sure that they have the mA’s above 30 so the pulse can penetrate deep into the muscles.

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. What’s the best position for me – I have a prolapse?

If you have a prolapse, it is recommended that you do the exercises lying down with your hips elevated. Put a pillow or cushion under your bottom – this will ensure that pressure is not bearing down onto your pelvic floor as you exercise. If you have a prolapse you will find that exercising first thing in the morning, before you get out of bed may be easier. This is because when you get up and move around your pelvic organs will drop and some women find inserting the probe difficult at the end of a day.

Q. What's the best position for me to use a Kegel8 Ultra/Tight & Tone/Pelfit?

Initially we recommend you use the Kegel8 either reclining or sitting with your legs elevated. This will help you to get used to the Kegel8 sensation and also to stop the probe being displaced. It is important that the probe maintains contact with the muscles of your pelvic floor so it works effectively. If you do not get an effective contact with the probe you will find that you cannot increase the mA's past level 6, 7 or 8. Please remember the higher the mA's the better the programme will be - more mA's = stronger pelvic exercising. When you are sitting with your legs elevated (e.g. sitting up in bed reading) try altering the angle of your legs, bring your knees up, variations like this will alter the angle of the vagina ensuring different areas of the pelvic floor muscle are exercised, ensuring maximum contact with the probe, to enable higher mA's. When you get more proficient you may want to move around with the Kegel8, you’ll find that you can walk, iron, watch TV or check your e-mails all the time while exercising!

Q. Why are there two channels on the Kegel8 Ultra and Tight & Tone?

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 often do I need to exercise with a Kegel8?

Initially we recommend you use it once a day for 12 weeks, some users are pretty desperate to see quick results – in this case you might like to do two programmes daily – but morning and night – not close together. This is because your pelvic floor can get tired very easily and the rest in between is vitally important to the muscle building and strengthening process. Select the programme that is right for you and the Kegel8 will strength your pelvic floor - you’ll find that it is fast, efficient and easy. After your 12 week Exercise Plan, you can then reduce it to a couple of times a week. This does not include the low-intensity Relaxation and Pain programmes which can be used as and when you need them.

Q. Can I use my Kegel8 more often?

OK so we know that sometimes you might feel desperate to strengthen your pelvic floor as quickly as possible – perhaps you’ve been diagnosed with a prolapse or you are facing surgery and you need results FAST. However we’d like to explain a bit about the muscle strengthening process so you know what is happening to your body. A weak pelvic floor means that the muscles are thin and have lost their elasticity – basically they lose their ability to support and hold your pelvic organs in place. This weakness hasn’t happened overnight, and sadly the stresses and strains of everyday life have meant it’s become weak – over years – not weeks or months. Using a Kegel8 will innervate, strengthen and thicken those muscles, it will get them back into action, stimulating blood flow - blood brings oxygen which feeds the whole of this vital area making the muscles strong and supportive once more. But don’t overdo it! It's important to exercise, but it's also important to rest. The important thing is to make sure your pelvic floor gets a chance to rest between exercise sessions. Muscles grow during rest, not during training. If you don't give your pelvic floor muscles adequate time to recover, then you'll actually interfere with the muscle strengthening process. Your pelvic floor can get tired very easily, and a weak pelvic floor that is tired is not going to respond with good results, so we recommend you do not use your Kegel8 more than twice a day, most women use it just once a day. As always – you must get into a routine and results are not instant – every time you use your Kegel8 you are getting that little bit stronger and helping your body to get strong again. If you were to do two high-intensity* Kegel8 programmes back-to-back you'll break down the muscle fibres before they've had a chance to rebuild. Remember, exercising 30 times in 30 days is the best way to strengthen your pelvic floor rather than cramming in the same number of exercise sessions into one week, for best results your progress should be gradual, and your routines regular!

Q. Can my electronic Kegel8 go in my hand luggage on an aeroplane?

Yes but we advise you remove the battery from the unit and store that separately for the flight, it is a registered medical device.

Q. Is this product suitable for someone with a retroverted uterus?

You can safely use all Kegel8 products with a tilted womb.

A retroverted uterus can also be known as a tilted uterus, tipped uterus or tilted womb - it is a genetic condition and it is thought up to 3 out of 5 women have one. When the womb is tilted it means the uterus is tilted backwards towards the spine instead of forwards. Most women have a uterus that is tipped forward toward the bladder, with the anterior end slightly concave. It can cause lower back pain, pain during menstruation and lovemaking.
Choose the Kegel8 Ultra, because not only can it help to strengthen your pelvic floor and improve circulation but it also has a 'pain programme'. When you have any kind of pelvic pain it usually means the muscles in your pelvic floor are locked and too tight, this restricts circulation and traps lactic acid in the muscles causing pain. These muscles need to be relaxed so that circulation can be returned to ease the pain. Remember blood brings oxygen to your pelvic floor or kegel muscle so relaxation after exercise or during pain is vital to ultimately strengthen your pelvic floor.

Q. I have not completed a 12 week treatment with my Kegel8 electronic device yet but my symptoms seem to be worsening – is this normal?

Yes, in the early stages of treatment some women report that their prolapse feels worse or leaks are occurring at times when they wouldn't have done before. If you are treating a prolapse and at times it feels worse than before this is simply because by exercising you are stimulating the muscles; increasing blood flow to the area which in turn is increasing sensation and your awareness of the prolapse. Be patient, this is just a phase before the muscles strengthen enough to support the prolapsed organ and this will pass. If you are treating urinary incontinence you may find that you have a couple of additional miss-haps in the early stages of treatment. This is purely due to tiredness of the pelvic floor muscles as they are not used to kegel exercises. The more you exercise, the more your muscles will get used to it and suffer less fatigue, before strengthening enough to stop leaks completely. Remember, pelvic floor muscles weaken over a number of years, they will not regain strength over-night. Patience is key.

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. 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. I can't get the mA's past 6, 7 or 8, 9, 10, 11. What’s wrong?

mA is the shortened term of milliampere, and it relates to the intensity you feel the muscle stimulation – the higher the mA's the stronger the intensity. 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 muscles at all times to exercise them properly. If this happens with your machine, you simply need to make sure you have correct contact with the probe.
Here’s what you you need to do:
1. Make sure the probe is inserted into the first 2 inches of your vagina. You might like to wear Sloggies or some tight pants to make sure it remains in place.
2. Make sure the metal parts of the probe (the electrodes) are facing hip to hip when the probe is inserted vaginally or anally.
3. If this is happening with the Kegel8 comfort probe, you might want to consider trying the wider lighter Periform probe.
4. Try not to move around too much as this may displace the probe.
5. Adjust your seating position; sit with your buttocks tightly together as if trying to hold in wind.
6. Conductivity is also improved by using a lubricant such as KE Gel, it is water-based, body friendly and you'll get better results.

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 contract of your muscles. the Kegel8 Ultra and Tight & Tone actually go to a maximum of 90mA's and we recommend 30mAs should be the lowest level to ensure adequate muscle stimulation.
Increase the mA's - remember the stronger the pull, the stronger the exercise.

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

This is usualy due to nerve damage. The probe won’t work on one side only, and usualy we have nerve damage from childbirth - baby’s head I’m afraid. Work on strengthening your muscles and increasing sensation - this can help restore lost feeling.

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 pre-set exercise 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 using the + button to a level that you can feel working.

Q. I can’t get the mA’s above 20 it is too painful – why is that?

Vaginal Atrophy can mean that using a Kegel8 Ultra, Tight & Tone, and Pelfit could be painful. This is because the tissue in your vagina is very dry. In many cases this is also contributing to a weak pelvic floor and you may suffer incontinence as a result. Have a word with your GP or healthcare provider – a topical oestrogen cream will help to plump up the tissue of the vagina meaning you will be able to use a Kegel8 and start exercising your pelvic floor again. You will need to use the cream for about one month before you can start to exercise again with the Kegel8, but you will be amazed at the results you can achieve.

Q. I find it painful inserting the probe – why is that?

Use the lubricant such as KE Gel, it is specially formulated, body-friendly and no parabens. KE Gel ensures a nice moist area perfect for effective muscle stimulation 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, usually after about one month. 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. I can't find an answer to my question?

Give us a call, we are here to help.