Kegel exercises and sex

Hello, everyone and welcome back to this world of inconsistency. I just went through the most testing week of my life - exam week! Do you know what got me through the sleepless nights? My vibrator, latex gloves, lots of lube, Kegel, and breathing exercises. No kidding! So, I am one of the people who are pumped after orgasms - I can buy myself at least 45 minutes up to an hour of productivity before the drowsiness sets in. So as some of you would've guessed, I had to tend to my needs almost every hour. The studying itself was tedious and an inconvenience but I looked forward to my delicious breaks.

For my comeback post, I had initially planned on writing about intimacy and defining sex in your own relationship. However, when I woke up this morning, the benefits of doing Kegel exercises seemed to be the perfect fit given that I had recently reaped these rewards so, here we go...

What are Kegel exercises?

These are pelvic floor muscle exercises. As you all know, for any muscle to perform at its best, it needs to be strong. The benefits of strengthening your pelvic floor muscles include preventing or managing leakage of pee and poop. They also play an important role in preparation for childbirth. My focus, however, will be on the benefits these have on our sexual health and pleasure.

If you are someone who has pain during sexual intercourse or pelvic exams owing to vaginismus (spasm/squeezing of the muscles of the vagina when something is entering it), relaxing your pelvic floor muscles will open your vagina more and may help alleviate the pain.

Kegels open up a whole new world of better sex by improving blood flow to your vagina and pelvic floor. By doing this, sexual arousal and lubrication or wetness are increased, making it easier to reach orgasm.

Awesome! Now how do I do these Kegels?

First, you need to locate your pelvic floor muscles. To do this, pretend as though you're stopping the flow of urine, preventing yourself from passing gas, or tightening your vagina around an object. The muscles that contract when performing these are your pelvic floor muscles.

Now for this to be beneficial, you need to be absolutely and completely certain that you're contracting the right muscles. So, insert your finger in your vagina and squeeze, you should feel your vagina tighten and pelvic floor move upward. No other muscles such as your buttocks, thighs, or abdominal muscles should be used. If you feel your body lifting up a bit, buttocks squeezing, or abdominal muscles tightening, you're doing it wrong. Try again.

Once you've located the right muscles, choose a comfortable position for you. It is recommended that you start by lying on your back until you get the hang of things then start practicing while sitting or standing. Once you're in position, take a deep breath in through your nose making sure your abdomen expands as it feels with air. Keep your pelvic floor muscles relaxed at this point. Next, exhale slowly through your mouth as you gently contract or squeeze your pelvic floor muscles. Hold this contraction for 3-6 seconds then relax the muscles completely for the same amount of time or 6-10 seconds while you inhale. Repeat this cycle 10 times. The recommendation for the best results is having 2-3 sessions a day (spaced out!). Since no one else but you knows when you're doing these, any time of day is perfect - stuck in traffic? Do your Kegels. Long elevator ride? Do your Kegels. Stuck in a boring meeting or class? Do your Kegels. You get the idea.

Don't, however, do these on a full bladder or while you're peeing because it will lead to incomplete bladder emptying and predispose you to getting a UTI.

What are the immediate and long-term sexual benefits of doing Kegels?

As I mentioned previously, they can decrease pain during intercourse and make you wetter. These are more immediate benefits of doing kegel exercises. So, vulva owners, when you get the heat up today practice clenching and unclenching your muscles when you have been in the groove for some time or feel your orgasm approaching. And don't ever forget to breathe!

Long-term, strong pelvic floor muscles have stronger contractions which means more intense orgasms. Now, who doesn't want that?!?

Here's to amazing and satisfying sex 🥂. Thank you for sharing your time with me today, I hope you enjoy the rest of your week. Keep practicing your Kegels and share the love 💓. Click on the kegel balls below to see the amazing varieties that are out there.