What Are Kegel Balls

What Are Kegel Balls

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Kegel Balls 101: Options, Materials, & Dangers to Know About April 11, 2022

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🌈 Quiz: Are you living with the symptoms of weak pelvic floor muscles? 🌈

Maybe your partner has suggested using vaginal balls during sex play. Maybe you’ve heard them mentioned in a movie, or as the punchline to an off-color joke. Maybe your favorite magazine did a piece on how to use them to enhance your pelvic floor exercises. Or maybe, you’re just plain curious. Whatever your reason, it’s important to be informed before you dive into the world of kegel balls!
Kegel balls (also called yoni eggs, kegel eggs, jade eggs, vaginal weights, vaginal cones, or some other variation) are a way to enhance the traditional kegel workout . The workout is just a series of contracting and releasing the pelvic floor muscles, that is scientifically proven to strengthen the pelvic floor. Over time, the pelvic floor muscles atrophy unless they’re exercised through traditional kegels or supported by other devices like kegel balls.
Kegel balls are everywhere, and they come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. While they’re not all created equal, the intended purpose of most vaginal tightening balls is to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. But, what are kegel balls exactly?
Most kegel balls are small, usually round or egg-shaped devices that are slightly weighted and inserted into the vaginal canal and instructed to leave in the body. It’s common to wonder “How do kegel balls work?”, and the answer is by creating resistance that the body needs to engage the pelvic floor or vaginal muscles to use to prevent them from falling out. In theory, this muscle engagement and increased blood flow can build strength over time.
When the pelvic floor muscles are stronger, this leads to stronger orgasms and sexual pleasure (two of the more exciting benefits!), better bladder control , vaginal rejuvenation , increased natural lubrication, and a whole host of preventative measures. It’s no wonder people wonder how to use kegel balls and how soon they can get their hands on them.
As sexual wellness, kegel exercises, and pelvic floor training becomes more popular, more vaginal balls have begun to arrive on the market. The problem is, they’re not all created equal, and it can be hard to know which ones are safe and effective!
Some weighted balls are plastic, some are metal, some are made of stone, and all tout to be an effective aid in strengthening pelvic floor muscles . The reality is that not all vaginal tightening balls are safe and effective, which is why we’re going to look at some of the most common options available on the market.
Yoni balls, also known as yoni eggs, are a kegel weight option made of jade, rose quartz, aventurine, and crystal. People are instructed to insert them into the vagina and leave them there for hours with the goal of strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. However, contracting the muscles over an extended period of time can have a negative effect on the pelvic floor.
Women ask, “Are yoni balls safe?”, and the reality is that while these may be pretty to look at, stones of any kind are NOT vajayjay-friendly. They tend to be porous, which means they’re hard to keep clean and can put the woman at risk for a pelvic infection. Not only that, but they tend to be too bulky while also being too lightweight to truly strengthen the muscles.
Ben wa balls, also known as Geisha balls, are circular and usually made of metal and come in a variety of diameters and weights for individual fit. For those wondering “How do ben wa balls work?”, they are similar to yoni balls, where women are instructed to leave them in for extended periods of time to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
Do ben wa balls strengthen the pelvic floor? Maybe, but currently, no ben wa balls on the market are FDA registered, so there is no way to know what they are made of or if they were tested for safety. Not only that, but they tend to be too light to build muscle, and when left in for an extended period can actually be detrimental to the pelvic floor.
As a general rule, metals can contain harmful alloys that pose a high risk to your health, especially when inserted into the body. Other downsides of ben wa balls are the lightweight and lack of an external removal string, making them hard to retrieve.
Plastic kegel balls, also known as vagina balls, are cheaper and lighter alternatives that are readily available on the market. There are a variety of sizes, shapes, materials, and instructions on how to use them. Generally, women are instructed to insert them into the vagina and leave them there for an extended period of time.
Across the board, these options are not FDA-registered and tend to be made out of lower-quality, cheaper materials. Many kegel balls contain harmful plastics and chemical colorings that irritate sensitive tissues and may increase cancer risk due to repeated exposure to toxins. The varied shapes and materials also make them hard to clean, increasing the risk of infection.
The Kegelbell Vagina Gym™ is the next-generation way to perform pelvic floor exercises. Forget everything you’ve known about kegel weights until now. Kegelbell is the first externally weighted pelvic floor training solution and the heaviest on the market.
Due to its unique design and increased weight, women only need to use it for five minutes a day, three times a week and are able to directly target the right muscle group. Women can now safely and effectively tone their pelvic floor muscles with results they can feel – in as little as two weeks.
The Kegelbell insert is made of soft, medical-grade silicone for a safer and more comfortable fit, with no risk of irritation and no toxic colorants or additives. The starter kit comes with a variety of weights (eight different weight combinations) and two different size inserts to give you a variety of workouts that will gradually build muscle in 30g increments. The bulb is also very easy to keep clean , reducing the risk of infection. No strawberry-shaped vibrating hoo-ha insert can match that.
Kegels themselves are just a muscle contraction that doesn’t require inserting any sort of kegel ball. The important piece about kegels to understand is that it’s an alternating relaxing and contracting that strengthens the pelvic floor by gradually improving muscle tone over time.
That’s why kegel balls and weights with instructions to hold them in and walk around with them for hours is a big red flag. By using any pelvic floor training device for extended periods, the muscles can overexert and never get the chance to release from a contraction. No, thank you!
Some products recommend leaving the device in place for up to six hours at a time. But leaving heavy kegel balls inside your vagina for long periods forces the pelvic muscles to contract more tightly to retain the weight. This type of lengthy contraction doesn’t work well for your quadriceps or your obliques, and it isn’t going to work well for your vajayjay, either.
Conversely, products that are too light or are oddly shaped like kegel eggs won’t help you activate the proper muscles. If they come with instructions at all, they wrongly advise people to wear them inside the vaginal canal for hours. Bad idea! Keeping a muscle in a constant state of contraction creates cramped muscles that lead to hypertonic tightness. If you wear kegel balls for hours, you should visit a pelvic floor physical therapist to massage out the tight muscles.
Not sure what to do with those junky kegel balls? We suggest you give them to a cat to play with or make them into Christmas tree ornaments. And those chemicals that may be embedded in plastic or metal products? The longer a product is in contact with your sensitive lady areas, the more likely that toxins are to be absorbed into your body. Bacteria love warm, wet locations, so a kegel ball held in the vagina for hours can also be a busy breeding ground for infection.
The Vagina Gym™ keeps the weight outside the body, which allows the use of graduated weights to slowly increase resistance over time. The stackable weights simply hang on the external end of the silicone insert, and gentle contractions keep the insert in place, alternating with releasing and relaxing the muscles. Start with the 30g weight, just the insert, or whatever weight combination gives your pelvic floor a solid workout that will build strength over time.
Your vajayjay is sensitive, flexible, delicate, and STRONG, but using an inexpensive and potentially toxic kegel ball system that doesn’t target the appropriate muscles can damage even the healthiest pelvis. A sensible exercise plan with an irritant-free product will make it stronger and healthier, preventing leaks, restoring lubrication, and improving your sexual experience.
Take control “down there” and strengthen your pelvic floor with the only FDA-registered kegel weight product on the market – Kegelbell .
- Improve bladder and bowel control
- Reduce the risk of pelvic organ prolapse
- Treat Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD)

By

Samantha Leal and Emily Belfiore

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By now, you probably know that Kegels involve tightening then releasing the muscles in your pelvic floor (it should feel like you're stopping yourself from peeing). But have you ever used Kegel balls to make these exercises even more challenging?

Kegel balls help strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor . They've been used for centuries, and are sometimes also referred to as Ben Wa balls. These small, circular weights are inserted into your vagina (yep, just like a tampon) and essentially make your muscles say, "Oh, I gotta keep these in," which triggers them to contract.

Think of it as taking your pelvic floor muscles to the gym. You can start by using Kegel balls for a few minutes each day, then increasing for longer intervals as you get stronger. (Don't worry, Kegel balls come out easily; you just need to relax your body. Most also have strings to make them easier to remove.) Below, explore the best Kegel balls and exercisers and learn how to incorporate them into your daily routine.

Many women start doing Kegels as a way to boost their sex life . The reason? Stronger pelvic floor muscles may lead to more intense sex, since part of your pelvic floor, the pubococcygeus (PC) muscles, contract during orgasm.

While better sex is certainly a benefit, doctors emphasize that it's not only about that—Kegel balls can also help with pregnancy recovery (babies put pressure on your pelvic floor, which weakens those muscles) and especially improve bladder control.

"There are different types of urinary incontinence : Urge, stress, and mixed," explains Christine Greves, MD , an OB-GYN at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies in Orlando. "[Kegel balls can help with] stress urinary incontinence, which is basically the inability to hold your urine with a lot of abdominal pressure—whether that is from laughter, sneezing, or coughing."

If performing regular Kegel exercises hasn't been working and you're trying to avoid surgery, you may want to give Kegel balls a shot, adds Dr. Greves. "Talk to your doctor about possibly adding these to your regimen to try to help with incontinence," she says.

Not sure what you should look for when shopping for Kegel balls? According to Zaher Merhi, MD, director of research and development in IVF technologies at New Hope Fertility in New York City, there are a slew of different features to consider. Many of them will come down to preference: Kegel balls are usually designed as singles or doubles (doubles will give you a more challenging workout); they can be made of metal or silicone; are available in different sizes and weights, so you can find the right fit; and some even vibrate, which can boost the intensity of your session.

Users also have their choice of electronic Kegel exercisers and pelvic floor trainers, which stimulate the muscles using a sensor for customized exercises. These options are typically Bluetooth operated and have their own mobile apps that feature guided workouts and progress tracking. Electronic Kegel balls and trainers tend to be more expensive than their standard weighted counterparts.

Regardless of your preference, experts agree that the use of a device can help improve incontinence and prevent prolapse. Below, explore the eight Kegel balls and pelvic floor exercisers you should look into.

When shopping for a kegel exerciser, New York-based gynecologist Alyssa Dweck, MD , recommends choosing one that offers "ease of use" and is "made with medical-grade silicone" for safety. The Elvie Trainer strengthens your pelvic floor with its advanced workout regimen, which is accessed through the Elvie App and features unique five-minute exercises. In addition to taking the guesswork out of creating a pelvic floor strengthening routine, the app tracks your movements in real-time and offers feedback and progress tracking. The exerciser's sleek profile and soft body-safe silicone exterior offer optimal comfort, and users have the choice to opt for a customized cover to better improve the fit.
"The gym for your pelvic floor," exclaimed one Amazon shopper . "The exercises are fun and keep me motivated. Elvie is very comfortable too! It also gives me confidence that I'm doing the best I can for my body. I recently visited my gynecologist and she was impressed with my results."

Kegel exerciser novices should choose a model that utilizes "smart technology" and offers clear and easy-to-follow instructions, according to Dr. Dweck. Enter: The KegelSmart Exerciser. This pick trains your pelvic muscles using a vibration-guided program, which works your muscles in accordance with your tolerance and pelvic floor strength. Once you insert it, you'll feel a series of three vibrations to signal the beginning of your workout (you can follow along with Intimina's user instructions here). The more you use KegelSmart, the higher your threshold will be, and the exerciser will move you through the five different levels.
"I bought this product as I had started to suffer from leaks when lifting heavy items or going on long walks," explained one reviewer . "[It] took a few attempts to insert properly but I persevered and I noticed a difference in about three weeks. Today I did a four-mile walk and no leakage. It's been life-changing. No more tying cardigans around my waist to cover up.

The K-Fit Kegel Toner uses electronic muscle stimulation (EMS), a method Dr. Dweck describes as "contracting the muscles in an effort to strengthen them." This battery-operated model comes equipped with 10 pre-programmed exercisers, along with three empty slots for you to enter your own workout based on your preferences. The toning unit is sleek and built with a clip that easily fits on belts, so you can discreetly use it while you're on the go.
"No kidding, this little Kegel toner started helping right away," an Amazon customer shared in their review . "The first two weeks I used it daily, but now I use it three to four days a week and things are back to normal. No more worries about leakage when I sneeze, have sex, or get to the bathroom to pee—and it takes me more than two seconds to hit the seat."

Priced at $50, this affordable pelvic floor trainer from Joy On has four adjustable modes for customized exercises. It was designed by physical therapists Elizabeth Bell and Lola Rosenbaum and electronically enhances your muscles using advanced pressure sensors. Your exercises and progress are tracked through a Bluetooth app and you can use the exerciser as a post-workout massager to relax the muscles. According to the brand, two weeks of consistent 15-minute sessions will help you see results.
"I can sneeze again—without changing clothes," said one reviewer . "[It] helps build muscle strength after childbirth and I no longer fear sneezing or laughing too hard. This product quickly made all my skepticism vanish. I'm tempted [to] exercise with it at work."

If the thought of doing Kegel exercises feels like a chore, then you'll want to give the kGoal Trainer a try. Through its mobile app, this pick tones your pelvic floor muscles with a series of fun exercises and games, making you forget that you're doing Kegels. One user described it as "literally like playing a video game with your vagina. Kegels cannot possibly get more fun." These guided workouts adapt to your strength level and adjust as your muscles get stronger for more challenging exercises. The app also tracks your progress and allows you to create customized exercises. As for the trainer's shape, it's designed with a comfort vent so it can adapt its inflation to best suit your body.
"My GYN suggested doing Kegels but I could not determine if I was doing them right," explained one Amazon shopper . "[The kGoal Trainer] makes so much difference to have the feedback that tells you how strong you are squeezing and if you are accurate on the approach. The games are really great and make the Kegel session fun. It also tracks progress over time so you know you are improving which keeps you motivated. I have been using it for a couple [of] months and can tell I'm much stronger."

The Perifit Kegel Exerciser uses a 5-D analysis diagram to assess the strength, endurance, contraction quality, relaxation, and agility of your pelvic floor in order to provide effective training exercises and address the proper areas that need toning. The device's ergonomic shape is designed for easy and comfortable insertion, and features two pelvic floor sensors for accurate results. With the Perifit app, you have access to the brand's six training programs, one of which is specially targeted towards incontinence. The programs consist of traditional exercises and fun games and offer feedback and progress tracking.
"This product is amazing for help with incontinence," raved one reviewer . "I have already seen a difference after a couple of weeks' use. The app games really help you learn to target the pelvic muscles much more accurately."

Created with pleasure and pelvic floor wellness in mind, the We-Vibe Bloom Vibrating Balls are weighted to help you strengthen your pelvic muscles and can also be used to create a sensual massage. The set features three varying weights, ranging from 10 grams, 30 grams, and 45 grams. Each Kegel ball offers 10 vibration patterns and is controlled through the We-Vibe app, which gives you the option to create your own custom vibration pattern.
"These things help me get stronger and better, sounds like a du
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