Pelvic weights 101
January 17, 2016 6:49 AM Subscribe
How do I use my pelvic weights? I got these a few years ago, and I don't use them because I don't really know how. Everything online is so vague!
I have standard-issue female parts and am in my early 30s. I have brief monthly (heterosexual, cis) sex with my long-term partner and don't want to experience vaginal prolapse when I'm older. Tampons stay in (but I use pads). Besides, I have had less than perfect bladder control my whole life so I would like to get these muscles up to speed anyway.
- I broke the round one several years ago. The pull-tab came off. I think I cleaned it too hard, but I forget. Maybe I boiled it?
- So I've got these two other ones, both shaped like a figure 8. Am I supposed to put both parts of the 8 inside me? Or just one?
- How long am I supposed to leave them in? If I leave them in too long, I have to take them out over the toilet because I have uncontrollable pee while removing them.
- How often should I use them?
- How do I use them?
- I'm concerned that regularly exercising these muscles will mean even less time having penetrative sex.
-etc. please tell me anything you think I should know about how to use these.
I have standard-issue female parts and am in my early 30s. I have brief monthly (heterosexual, cis) sex with my long-term partner and don't want to experience vaginal prolapse when I'm older. Tampons stay in (but I use pads). Besides, I have had less than perfect bladder control my whole life so I would like to get these muscles up to speed anyway.
- I broke the round one several years ago. The pull-tab came off. I think I cleaned it too hard, but I forget. Maybe I boiled it?
- So I've got these two other ones, both shaped like a figure 8. Am I supposed to put both parts of the 8 inside me? Or just one?
- How long am I supposed to leave them in? If I leave them in too long, I have to take them out over the toilet because I have uncontrollable pee while removing them.
- How often should I use them?
- How do I use them?
- I'm concerned that regularly exercising these muscles will mean even less time having penetrative sex.
-etc. please tell me anything you think I should know about how to use these.
I'm unsure if you're using weights for a specific reason as opposed to just doing regular kegal exercises, which require no equipment. It seems to me that the weights are just tools to help people do kegals, but i could be wrong.
The mayo clinic has good instructions on kegals here. If you are using the weights for a more specific reason, then I would second asking your doctor.
posted by triggerfinger at 10:57 AM on January 17, 2016
The mayo clinic has good instructions on kegals here. If you are using the weights for a more specific reason, then I would second asking your doctor.
posted by triggerfinger at 10:57 AM on January 17, 2016
Ha! I had no idea that these are called pelvic weights, I call 'em ben wa balls. I've been using them for years (I have two sets, Fun Factory brand and ones called Luna Balls) and I honestly don't think a doctor/gynecologist would be that helpful to talk to about them. Maybe y'all have better doctors than me, but they generally don't know shit about sex toys, which is how I think of these. Here's a great guide from Babeland on using them, or, if you're anywhere near the Smitten Kitten in Minneapolis, you could visit or call them and see if they can give you some tips.
When I use them regularly, they make sex more fun because they increase sensitivity and the intensity of sensations (better orgasms too!) and they're a sorta fun thing to use with your partner or as a sexy leading up to sex toy, which I'll expand on. The pull tab falling off is kinda a hassle if you're not comfortable removing it without the tab. From years of wearing menstrual cups I personally wouldn't be worried about it, but you should definitely exercise caution. And honestly, I've had a set of mine for like...8 years now? and I've pulled on their tab HARD so many times and it's still going strong, so I would recommend trying another brand if you decide to get new ones for some reason. (Also, you may already know this, but NEVER use these for anal penetration even with the pull tab, they are not safe.)
You can use them to exercise your PC muscles two ways, the easiest being just wearing them around for a couple hours each day, or the whole day if that's comfortable for you. You can work your way up to wearing the heavier (so, start with the single ball for a week or two, work your way up to the slimmer double, then the wider double.)
The way that it's been explained to me by Babeland staff is that the motion of the weights shifting inside the balls exercises the kegel muscles and that they'll work better if you're moving around, but you don't have to do anything special. I wear both single balls and the double without discomfort, but I find the double more useful the other way you can use them, which is to squeeze and hold them as you slowly pull them out—the resistance exercises your muscles. In theory, they improve bladder control, but I can't wear them all day because they make me have to pee even more than I already do since they push on my bladder and I haven't noticed any difference in bladder control in general. Your mileage may vary.
I'm not quite sure what you mean by I'm concerned that regularly exercising these muscles will mean even less time having penetrative sex, if you want to elaborate I can probably address that better. You don't have to wear them all the time or let it cut into time your partner is inside of you, but I definitely reap the rewards when I wear them more often.
In terms of using these with a partner, for me, they definitely turn me on if I'm wearing them because a.) it's a 'naughty' secret that I'm wearing them that I can share with my activity partner and b.) they rub my g-spot slightly, and make me feel full, and that can be fun either solo or if your partner knows you're wearing them and getting hot and bothered. It's not THAT pleasurable so it doesn't interfere with my day, but it can be a nice thing to have in the background as you're doing mundane errands.
Your partner can also be the one who pulls them out of you as you tighten up resistance, which for me, puts a lot of pressure on my g-spot. It's not really my favorite thing but it could be yours! You can leave them in as you masturbate if you're into that, or the Babeland guide says you can wear them during cunnilingus, which isn't my cup of tea but again, could be yours!
Whew...hope this helps. Apparently I had a lot to say about these balls.
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 1:35 PM on January 17, 2016 [11 favorites]
When I use them regularly, they make sex more fun because they increase sensitivity and the intensity of sensations (better orgasms too!) and they're a sorta fun thing to use with your partner or as a sexy leading up to sex toy, which I'll expand on. The pull tab falling off is kinda a hassle if you're not comfortable removing it without the tab. From years of wearing menstrual cups I personally wouldn't be worried about it, but you should definitely exercise caution. And honestly, I've had a set of mine for like...8 years now? and I've pulled on their tab HARD so many times and it's still going strong, so I would recommend trying another brand if you decide to get new ones for some reason. (Also, you may already know this, but NEVER use these for anal penetration even with the pull tab, they are not safe.)
You can use them to exercise your PC muscles two ways, the easiest being just wearing them around for a couple hours each day, or the whole day if that's comfortable for you. You can work your way up to wearing the heavier (so, start with the single ball for a week or two, work your way up to the slimmer double, then the wider double.)
The way that it's been explained to me by Babeland staff is that the motion of the weights shifting inside the balls exercises the kegel muscles and that they'll work better if you're moving around, but you don't have to do anything special. I wear both single balls and the double without discomfort, but I find the double more useful the other way you can use them, which is to squeeze and hold them as you slowly pull them out—the resistance exercises your muscles. In theory, they improve bladder control, but I can't wear them all day because they make me have to pee even more than I already do since they push on my bladder and I haven't noticed any difference in bladder control in general. Your mileage may vary.
I'm not quite sure what you mean by I'm concerned that regularly exercising these muscles will mean even less time having penetrative sex, if you want to elaborate I can probably address that better. You don't have to wear them all the time or let it cut into time your partner is inside of you, but I definitely reap the rewards when I wear them more often.
In terms of using these with a partner, for me, they definitely turn me on if I'm wearing them because a.) it's a 'naughty' secret that I'm wearing them that I can share with my activity partner and b.) they rub my g-spot slightly, and make me feel full, and that can be fun either solo or if your partner knows you're wearing them and getting hot and bothered. It's not THAT pleasurable so it doesn't interfere with my day, but it can be a nice thing to have in the background as you're doing mundane errands.
Your partner can also be the one who pulls them out of you as you tighten up resistance, which for me, puts a lot of pressure on my g-spot. It's not really my favorite thing but it could be yours! You can leave them in as you masturbate if you're into that, or the Babeland guide says you can wear them during cunnilingus, which isn't my cup of tea but again, could be yours!
Whew...hope this helps. Apparently I had a lot to say about these balls.
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 1:35 PM on January 17, 2016 [11 favorites]
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Apologies if I'm making assumptions...since you don't mention previous healthcare I'm assuming you're trying to deal with this on your own.
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 7:24 AM on January 17, 2016 [1 favorite]