About Pelvic Floor Muscle Weakness

Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises
and the Colpexin Sphere

Pelvic floor muscle exercises are an important part of your treatment regimen. The pelvic floor muscles (PFM) are a very important muscle group for women—they help support the pelvic organs (the bladder, uterus, and colon), assist in stopping and starting the flow of urine or the passage of gas or stool, and aid in sexual satisfaction. Attached to the pelvic bones, PFM are located at the bottom of your pelvis and form a funnel that spans the width and breadth of the pelvis. When contracted, a deep feeling of tension and firmness is sensed, the muscles move upward, and the openings of the vagina and anus close.

PFM Exercise Program with Colpexin
To begin, empty your bladder and lie on your back on a flat surface with your Colpexin Sphere in place. Keep your knees bent and apart and your head elevated and supported with several pillows. Remember, doing your exercises with the Colpexin Sphere in place will allow you to be sure you are using the right muscle group.

How to perform pelvic floor muscle exercises with Colpexin

  1. Contract or tighten the muscles around the vaginal opening and feel for a lifting of the Colpexin Sphere and closure of the vaginal opening. Locate the string on your Colpexin Sphere and gently pull on it so you can feel that the sphere is in the correct position, above the PFM. Now relax your muscles.
  2. Perform the PFM contraction (feel for lifting of the Colpexin Sphere and closure of the vaginal opening).
  3. Initially, you may only be able to hold each contraction for 3-5 seconds, relaxing for 3-5 seconds for up to 5 repetitions. As you get stronger, you can extend the time, holding the contraction for 5-8 seconds for 8 repetitions. Your goal is to reach 10-second contractions for 10 repetitions. Remember to always relax the PFM for an equal amount of time between contractions.
  4. Do these exercises two times a day.

A Few Helpful Hints...

The quality of the exercises is more important than the number you perform or the seconds you are able to hold each contraction. As with all exercise, you will build strength over time as you follow your treatment regimen.

Avoid straining, holding your breath, or using your buttock muscles while you exercise the PFM. Counting out loud can help prevent this from happening. If you still notice that you use your buttock muscles or hold your breath, you are probably contracting your muscles incorrectly. Review your exercise instructions and try again. If the problem continues, notify your health care provider for more instructions.

As your strength continues to improve, you may want to challenge your muscles further by gently tugging on the string while tightening your PFM. Be sure not to pull so hard as to cause the Colpexin Sphere to actually come out while exercising. If the sphere does come out when you add resistance, just reinsert it according to the directions and return to doing the exercises without adding resistance (pulling on the string).

Pelvic floor muscle exercises are a very important part of your treatment, so try to incorporate these exercises into your daily routine. For example, if you wear your sphere only during the day, try doing your exercises once in the morning after inserting the Colpexin Sphere and once in the evening before you remove your sphere. Make it a habit like brushing your teeth and you will be less likely to forget.

Do you still have questions about the Colpexin Sphere? Review or visit our FAQs section, or contact us.

Health Care Professionals: click here to register for sizing, ordering and more clinical information about the Colpexin TM sphere
[video]: Tips for Strengthening your Pelvic Floor Muscles