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Are Kegels Worthwhile?

Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Sep 28, 2024 | Replies (40)

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@phl6953

Hello, how long did you do Kegel exercises before the operation? How long is each time after the operation? Thank you

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Replies to "Hello, how long did you do Kegel exercises before the operation? How long is each time..."

@phl6953 -- Since you asked, here's what I'm doing: I did kegals about 1 month before the operation. I tried to do them about 5 times a day, each time 1 set of 10 reps, with each rep holding for about 10 seconds. Frankly, when I started I couldn't hold them that long, nor did I do a great job remembering. I didn't go to a physical therapist, but rather I simply watched videos on youtube on how to do them, along with reading web site material at places like Mayo Clinic. I particularly liked some youtube videos by Michelle Kenway. Frankly, initially I started looking at videos just to see what kegals were. I had no idea. I had planned to go to a physical therapist. But watching the video's and trying them, I felt like I was probably doing them right. However, if I'd had trouble figuring out how to do them or if I'd had any incontinence, I would have gone to a physical therapist. Who knows, I still might go to a PT at some point. The only reason I didn't go to a PT was frankly laziness on my part. Anyway, after the catheter came out I resumed kegals. Again I watched the videos and tried to make sure I was doing them right. They do mention how to "test" if you're doing them right, which I do occasionally. I now just do them twice a day; 1 set of 10 reps holding for 10 seconds with a 10 second break between. Then I immediately do a set of about 6 fast twitch reps holding only for a couple seconds, with a short break of about 5 seconds between reps. It seems to be working for me. Again, I'm neither a PT nor a medical professional of any kind. I'm not even recommending my routine for you. Rather I'm just responding to your question of how I'm doing them.
Best wishes for you and yours.

@phl6953 -- Reading through my long response, I'm not sure if I directly answered your question. Short answer -- i use an analog stopwatch display on my smartphone to time my kegals. 1 set, 10 reps holding for 10 seconds each rep with 10 seconds rest between each rep, takes me 3 minutes and 20 seconds. Then I immediately start doing the fast twitch, about 6 - 8 sets, holding only about 2 seconds each rep with about 5 seconds rest between reps. Total time, less than 5 minutes. Hope this answers your question. Best wishes.