Help & Advice
This collection of Kegel8 frequently asked questions (FAQs) provides brief answers to many common queries. If your query isn't here, please use the search box at the top right hand side of this page to search for topics in our Support section. alternatively please e-mail or telephone us – we are always happy to help you.
The Kegel8 mission is to spread the word among all women and raise awareness of the importance of the pelvic floor, how and why it can fail you, and most importantly what you need to do to take care of it.
All of our advisors are Kegel8 users and understand the different ways in which pelvic floor weakness can affect every aspect of a woman’s life.
We are here to help - whether you want to discuss your symptoms, get advice on which Kegel8 is right for you or want to find out the best way to use your Kegel8 to suit your needs once it arrives. Just give us a call.
Our advisors treat every call as an individual case which means you can be sure you’re getting the best advice and service personalised to your needs.
For many women our helpline is the first time they openly discuss their condition, even before telling their friends, husband or partner and that’s because we understand...
Womb or Uterine Prolapse
Muscles, ligaments, and other structures hold the womb (uterus) in the pelvis. If these muscles and structures are weak, the womb can drop into the vaginal canal. This is called prolapse or uterine prolapse.
Healthy Pelvic Floor
Womb/Uterine Prolapse Phase 1
Womb/Uterine Prolapse Phase 2
...Vaginal Prolapse and Vaginal Vault Prolapse
Muscles, ligaments and skin in and around the vagina support and hold pelvic organs and tissues in place. This complex network includes the skin and muscles of the vagina walls. Parts of this support system may eventually weaken or break causing a vaginal prolapse. A vaginal prolapse is a condition when organs such as the uterus, rectum, bladder, urethra, small bowel, or the vagina itself may begin to prolapse, or fall out of their normal positions.
There are many types of vaginal prolapse:
- Cystocele (bladder prolapse)
- The bladder may prolapse into the vagina; the urethra can prolapse as well. A urethral prolapse is also known as an urethrocele. When both the bladder and urethra prolapse together this is a cystourethrocele.
- Rectocele (rectal prolapse)
- A prolapse of the back wall of the vagina (rectovaginal fascia) the rectal wall pushes...
Uterine or Womb Prolapse
The uterus or womb is held in place with various muscles, tissue, and ligaments. Sometimes these muscles weaken and the uterus can collapse into the vaginal canal, causing a prolapsed uterus.
If you have a uterine prolapse, your other pelvic organs are at a higher risk of prolapsing too – you must strengthen your weak pelvic floor muscles, to prevent multiple prolapses.
Healthy Pelvic Floor
Womb/Uterine Prolapse Phase 1
Womb/Uterine Prolapse Phase 2
...What should I look for?
There are several types of grading systems that Doctors use to describe the severity of prolapse, 1 (first-degree) being the mildest and 4 (fourth-degree) being the most severe.
The following are stages of vaginal prolapse to look out for:
- Stage 1 (or first-degree) prolapse:
- A woman may not even know she has it, quite often this is discovered during a routine pelvic floor exam.
- Second-degree prolapse:
- There will be symptoms such as heaviness, dragging feeling or painful intercourse.
- Third-degree prolapse (also known as procidentia):
- Physical characteristics will be felt as well as seen, sometimes a lump will be felt inside the vagina.
- Forth-degree prolapse:
- This stage will be visible, extremely uncomfortable and protruding...
Sexual function is an essential and critical part of mental and physical health and wellness for men. Therefore when a problem arises it is often distressing. Male sexual dysfunction has been linked to a reduced quality of life, as well as negative interpersonal relationships. As men grow older, sexual dysfunctions become increasingly prevalent.
To learn more about problems that affect the male pelvic floor, visit our page.
What are Erectile Problems?
Erectile problems are extremely common, particularly in men aged over 40. The two most prominent problems that are associated with erections are:
- Erectile Dysfunction - The inability to gain and maintain an erection that is rigid enough for sexual intercourse.
- Premature Ejaculation - Ejaculation that always, or nearly always, occurs...
Tibial Nerve Stimulation is an effective, less invasive way of stimulating the tibial and sacral nerves to provide relief for pelvic pain and incontinence. Visit our pelvic pain treatment page to learn more about solutions to conditions such as endometriosis, vulvodynia, and UTIs.
What is the Tibial Nerve?
The tibial nerve is found in the leg and branches off from the sciatic nerve. The tibial nerve runs from your pelvis all the way down into the ankle, and then branches into sensory nerves in the sole of your foot.
What is the Function of the Tibial Nerve?
The Tibial Nerve has both motor and...
Most men are not aware that they have a pelvic floor. But without it you would be unable to hold urine in your bladder or contract your bowels to prevent wind and faeces escaping, you will be unable to get an erection, and you could suffer from the symptoms of prostatitis. The pelvic floor and its functions within the body are a necessity. They help to keep a variety of pelvic health problems at bay.
Contents
As your pelvic floor is hidden away inside your body, it's not always easy to tell if it is healthy and strong. Being aware of the symptoms that suggest weak pelvic muscles will allow you to tackle issues early. Pelvic floor disorders can affect men of any age, so always be wary if you see signs that indicate that your pelvic floor has weakened.
The most common issues that occur as a result of pelvic floor weakness are:
What Are The Symptoms of Male...
Sacral Nerve Stimulation can be a safe and effective way of relieving the pain and discomfort caused by a number of pelvic floor disorders. To learn about the other causes of pelvic pain, click here.
Where are the Sacral Nerves?
The sacral plexus is an area located in your pelvis where several spinal nerves come together and then brand out to control most of your lower body. The sacral plexus contains 31 nerves that reach from your lower back to your rectum, bladder, sphincter and pelvic floor muscles.
The nerves in the sacral plexus split to form sensory and motor nerves that then travel to parts of your pelvis, legs, feet, and genitals. Without these nerves, you would not be able to stand, walk, or control your bladder and bowel movements.
There are 5 main nerves that emerge from the sacral plexus:...
Incontinence is a condition that mainly affects women due to effects of childbirth and the menopause on the pelvic floor. However, it is also a common condition in men. Increasingly so with age, with over 10% of men over the age of 65 suffer with a degree of urinary incontinence. This increases the chance of moving into a care home and your chance of suffering with bowel incontinence as well.
What is Male Incontinence?
Incontinence is recognised as the accidental leakage of urine, or faecal matter. It can be an embarrassing condition to suffer with and negatively impact your self-esteem and happiness.
Male incontinence is a growing problem, with 1 in 4 men suffering from urinary incontinence at some point during their life. The NHS estimates that between 3 and 6 million people in the UK have some degree of urinary incontinence; so if you suffer you are not alone.