Vaginal Weights Can Help With Pelvic Floor Support

Perhaps you like to lift weights and have incorporated some into your workout routine. Or maybe you are a fan of checking out other people’s progress pictures on Instagram while you wonder what in the hell you are missing because there is no way ever-loving way you will ever want to put yourself through that kind of misery. Also, where does one come up with that much energy?

But did you know your vagina is a pretty tough cookie and is capable of lifting weights too? No, the purpose of this isn’t to train your vag to get bulky or open a pickle jar–although we can’t deny that would be entertaining to watch.

The benefits of lifting weights with your lower lips are plenty, so listen up.

First, you might be wondering what the heck vaginal weights are. Well, they are small weights, of various sizes, similar to tampons, that are inserted vaginally. Usually these taco-toners range from 28 grams to 140 grams.

Why would you want to insert a weight into your vagina? To strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, of course.

How do they work and why do we want to do this?

Well, Katherine Rush, physical therapist and owner of The Perfect Pelvis, tells Scary Mommy vaginal weights work just like any other exercise weight would.

“They add resistance,” Rush says. “For example, when you are at the gym doing squats, initially you may first choose to do squats without a weight because you feel you are getting enough of a workout sans weights. After a while, though, you need to add weights to make it more difficult and build up stronger muscles.”

This weight set says it can replace 100 Kegel exercises in just minutes and claims after only a few months, you will “have stronger and tighter vaginal muscles for improved bladder control, easier labor, faster child birth recovery and sexual satisfaction like you’ve never had before.”

Okay, I am convinced.

Because, let’s be honest, I don’t know anyone who adores squeezing their inner vagina muscles together to get their daily amount of Kegels — you know, those exercises where you contract your pelvic floor muscle like you’re stopping the flow of urine. And even though Kegels are a relatively easy way to boost pelvic floor muscles, they don’t work for everything or everyone.

Keep in mind though, most individuals don’t need to use weights when they first start doing pelvic floor exercises, says Rush. The weights are something that can be added in later to give you additional resistance if it’s needed.

Rachel Gelman, PT, DPT, who specializes in sexual health and treating pelvic floor dysfunction in men and women says, if kegels aren’t working for you, you should see a specialist or pelvic floor PT to create an individualized program.

By inserting these weights in our love canal, we are strengthening our pelvic floor muscles, “which act like a sling between your tailbone and your pubic bone,” says Rush. These muscles not only support our bladder (who else is sick of peeing a little when they sneeze or laugh?), but they also support other internal organs and provide stability to our pelvis.

“Generally, I use these with individuals with stress incontinence — leakage with coughing, laughing, and running,” says Rush.

Anyone who wants to dabble in vagina weight training should know they aren’t recommended for everyone, however. “I have patients who leak urine but their problem is not weak pelvic floor muscles, but rather, pelvic floor muscles that are too tight,” explains Rush. So talk to your doctor first.

Something to try before using them: you must be able to do a correct pelvic floor contraction against gravity while standing without weight before adding one of these weights. If you can’t, consult a specialist.

Gelman also tells Scary Mommy the pelvic floor muscles are one of the main core muscles of the body and they “provide stability, support the abdominal organs, help start and stop the flow of urine and feces, and play a role in sexual function.” If they are weak, it can lead to a variety of problems — even back pain and discomfort during sexual intercourse.

It’s a ton of work to keep our bodies up and running, and after we have children, a whole new set of problems can start knocking at our front (and back) door. If you feel like your insides are trying to make their way out of your body, you’re sick of wetting your pants, or your trusted kegels aren’t doing the trick for you, see a specialist or ask about vaginal weights.

It’s nice to know there is a fairly easy solution that you can do in the privacy of your own home. Besides, it might be kind of fun knowing you are doing your grocery shopping and everyone passing you has no clue you’re getting a workout for your lady parts.

Damn, vaginas are amazing.

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