What are Kegel Balls & How to Use Them.
Kegel balls are small weighted balls that are pushed inside the vagina. They’re used to help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles whilst doing pelvic floor exercises (also known as Kegel exercises). They can also be used to increase sexual pleasure during solo play or with your partner during sex. Kegel balls come in various materials, weights, and sizes so you can choose a weight that you’re comfortable with. They range from the size of a marble to 2 inches in diameter.
There are significant risks to using Kegel balls. For example, there’s a risk of infection if your hands or the balls aren’t clean when using them. If used too much, or incorrectly, they can cause pain, discomfort, and even vaginal tearing. For these reasons alone, it is recommended to consider non-invasive treatments to strengthen your pelvic floor.
Who can use Kegel balls?
Kegel balls are often used by women when they have stress urinary incontinence and want to strengthen their pelvic floor muscles to stop their bladder leaks. However, they’re not always safe to use and we strongly suggest you speak to your doctor before using the vaginal weights if:
• You are pregnant
• You have just had a baby and recovering from the delivery
• You have recently had gynaecology surgery
• You have pelvic pain or a pelvic infection
• You use a menstrual cup
• You have an Intrauterine Device (IUD) fitted
How to use Kegel balls: step-by-step
Do you have Kegel balls tucked away at the back of your knicker draw and you’re not sure how to use them? — well we’ve put together this step-by-step guide to help you.
How to prepare Kegel balls
Before you use your Kegel balls it’s important to make sure they’re clean and safe to use, so:
• Check your Kegel ball doesn’t have any cracks or damage to it.
• Wash your hands with warm water and antibacterial soap.
• Wash your Kegel ball with antibacterial soap and warm water.
How to insert Kegel balls
Inserting the Kegel balls can be scary, especially the first time you do it. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with these useful pointers:
1. Pop a water-based lube on the Kegel ball and on the outside of your vagina to help ease the weight in (use as much as you need, ladies)
2. Lie down on your back, part and relax your legs
3. Insert the first Kegel ball into your vagina
4. If your Kegel ball has more than one weight on it, continue to push the balls up into the vagina (only push them as far as you’re comfortable)
5. It’s common for Kegel balls to have a loop or string at the end of them. Leave this outside of your vagina as you’ll use this to pull them out
How to exercise your pelvic floor using Kegel balls
It’s recommended to start strengthening your pelvic muscles without using Kegel balls because you need to be confident that you’re squeezing the right muscles before adding weights into your routine. Think of it as going to the gym and using your own body weight as resistance and then, as you get stronger, you introduce weights to continue to build your muscles. So, how do you exercise your pelvic floor muscles using Kegel balls? Let’s walk you through it (1):
- Once the Kegel balls are inside your vagina, tighten your pelvic floor muscles — you should feel the balls lift as you squeeze.
- Hold the squeeze for five seconds and then relax for five seconds.
- Keep repeating the squeezes five times in a row to complete one set. You can do up to three sets a day.
Whether you’re doing pelvic floor exercises with or without Kegel balls, you will need to do a lot of them every day to notice your pelvic muscles strengthening. This takes dedication and commitment and, as we all know, trying to fit exercises into the hustle and bustle of everyday life isn’t always easy.
Side note: we strongly suggest that you speak to your doctor to make sure you’re doing the right amount of pelvic exercises using the correct weight for your body. Also, if you squeeze your pelvic muscles for too long, or without having a break in between sets, it’s possible that you can overwork your vaginal muscles. They then become strained as the pelvic floor needs to be able to relax and contract regularly (2). Overworking your pelvic muscles can lead to pain, discomfort, tearing, and bladder problems.
Using Kegel balls for sexual pleasure
We told you earlier Kegel balls have other names, including love balls, orgasm balls, and pleasure balls — want to know why? Because they can be used for sexual pleasure too. Yep, you read that right. The Kegel balls can be placed inside your vagina during solo play to enhance sexual pleasure and sensations while you’re exploring your body. Kegel balls can also be used with your partner during foreplay to add a bit of spice to the bedroom.
How to remove Kegel balls
You’ve managed to insert them, you’ve done your pelvic exercises, and now you want to remove your Kegel balls, let’s talk you through it:
- Lie down and get comfortable.
- You may like to add more lube around the vagina opening to ease the Kegel balls out.
- Slowly pull on the string or loop at the entrance to the vagina and the weights should slide out.
If your Kegel balls don’t have a string attached, follow these steps:
- Stand with your feet wider than hip distance apart.
- Lower yourself into a squat position.
- Push the balls out (Think pushing a tampon out).
If the Kegel balls don’t slide out easily, don’t panic and try this:
• Place more lube around the entrance to the vagina.
• Walk, jump, or cough to encourage your muscles to contract and release.
• If you aren’t able to get the balls out, reach out to your doctor for advice.
Getting the Kegel balls stuck inside the vagina is a risk and something to seriously consider before using them. Invasive options are not the only solution to improving your pelvic floor muscles, as non-invasive options that are backed by clinical research and proven to work are available.
How to clean and store Kegel balls
Cleaning and safely storing your Kegel balls is important, because if they’re not clean when inserted into your vagina, they can cause an infection. So, how should you clean and store your balls. After taking the Kegel balls out, clean them with warm water and antibacterial soap.
• Pat the Kegel weights dry with a clean towel
• Leave the balls to dry on a clean surface (such as the towel you’ve dried them with or if they came in a case or bag, rest them on top).
• Place your Kegel balls in their storage case/ bag to keep them dry and clean until you use them again.
• Keep the weights in a cool and dry place to avoid a build-up of moisture.
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