It just doesn't end. While we rightfully rally our attitude to believe that aging surely beats the alternative, we might, at the same time, be wondering if we can "make it" to the nearest Ladies Room. Who ever thought that the back end of our life (no pun intended) would find us back in Pampers. I remember laughing at those June Allyson commercials for Depends. "Oh, those poor people. They must have something terribly wrong with them." Luckily, I haven't had the need to shop the incontinence aisle at Walgreen's yet, but I see lots of these products stacked around the assisted living facility where my little Mama now resides - including her closet.
The good news that comes from our friends at realage.com is that we can strengthen our pelvic floor muscles enough to lessen and even prevent the leaking of urine which is how it all starts. This is accomplished by performing Kegel exercises on a regular basis.
If you're unfamiliar with these exercises and the muscles involved, you can feel them by squeezing the muscles in your genital area. Or, you can pretend you are stopping a flow of urine or passing gas. Simply tighten these muscles and hold for 4 seconds. Do this 10 to 20 times allowing the muscles to relax completely between contractions. Doing this 10 times a day will definitely improve effectiveness.
No time to "exercise?" No worries. Kegel exercises can be performed anywhere: driving in your car, sitting in a traffic jam, waiting for a bus, sitting at your desk, watching television, etc. No one will know that you are doing them. People with bladder control problems may notice a difference after just a few weeks. Although, greater improvement may take 3 to 6 months of daily exercises.
Personally, I'm thinking that Kegel exercises had a lot more appeal when their only purpose seemed to be for improving orgasms. Time marches on....
Love this! I learned that good ol' Kegel exercises are great for pregnancy. It guess it's always a good time to get our pelvic floors in shape.
Posted by: Rebecca | June 19, 2007 at 01:33 PM