Use of Luna beads for Kegel exercises
August 23, 2013 8:01 PM Subscribe
I have Luna Beads (kegel exercisers) from Lelo, and have been putting one blue one (which is a heavier weight than the pink ones) in before showering, wearing it throughout the shower, and then doing a few "sets" of holding the ball in while tugging on the string to remove it. But I don't really know what I'm doing, how to know if this is an appropriate level of exercise, when to move to two balls, when to sterilize them, etc. More specific questions within
Specific questions:
-I currently wash the ball with thoroughly with glycerin soap and hot water before inserting it. The Lelo people say they are also safe to boil; how often should I be doing this? I live in communal housing, so ideas for discreet boiling are welcome.
-I've only been following this routine for two days, and the blue ball is a random selection. How will I know when I should move up to two pink balls, etc.?
-What program or activities should I be doing? I'm assuming this is like weightlifting where you work towards increased weight/reps, but I don't know where to start or what progression to follow.
-Anything else I should know?
Details about the beads for those who don't know: there are two pink balls (28 grams), two blue balls (37 grams), and a connector thing that lets you combine two balls together for more weight. All are made of silicone. Lelo makes awesome products, and I feel really good about using these to start actually doing Kegels.
About me, in case it's relevant: 25, nulliparous woman with no history of gynecologic complaints, with Paragard IUD. Have not regularly done Kegels in the past. Walk a bunch during the day, happy to wear beads during the day if that's recommended.
Specific questions:
-I currently wash the ball with thoroughly with glycerin soap and hot water before inserting it. The Lelo people say they are also safe to boil; how often should I be doing this? I live in communal housing, so ideas for discreet boiling are welcome.
-I've only been following this routine for two days, and the blue ball is a random selection. How will I know when I should move up to two pink balls, etc.?
-What program or activities should I be doing? I'm assuming this is like weightlifting where you work towards increased weight/reps, but I don't know where to start or what progression to follow.
-Anything else I should know?
Details about the beads for those who don't know: there are two pink balls (28 grams), two blue balls (37 grams), and a connector thing that lets you combine two balls together for more weight. All are made of silicone. Lelo makes awesome products, and I feel really good about using these to start actually doing Kegels.
About me, in case it's relevant: 25, nulliparous woman with no history of gynecologic complaints, with Paragard IUD. Have not regularly done Kegels in the past. Walk a bunch during the day, happy to wear beads during the day if that's recommended.
ideas for discreet boiling are welcome
I don't know if you should boil them, but if you decide to, can you get a hot plate for your room? Or a microwave? (I don't mean put them in the microwave, just boil water and put them in that.)
I personally think you're fine with soap and water.
posted by desjardins at 9:44 PM on August 23, 2013
I don't know if you should boil them, but if you decide to, can you get a hot plate for your room? Or a microwave? (I don't mean put them in the microwave, just boil water and put them in that.)
I personally think you're fine with soap and water.
posted by desjardins at 9:44 PM on August 23, 2013
Most medical-type sources (like this Harvard Health Publication and the Mayo Clinic) recommend several sets of several reps spread throughout the day. You move up--first to more reps and/or longer holds, then to a heavier or larger weight--when what you're doing starts to feel easy. You can actually start without any weights at all if you'd like, and then move up to weights.
Reps are definitely effective, just like with strengthening any muscle. You don't have to wear them for extended periods of time to get the full benefit. But if the idea of wearing them for longer appeals to you, then try wearing them for 10-15 minutes at a time, while you're doing dishes or something. Increase the number of minutes gradually up to 20-30 minutes, then increase the size or weight.
Wash them with hot soapy water every time you use them. You don't have to boil them. If you feel you need to disinfect them extra-thoroughly, give them a thorough coating of a good alcohol-free sex toy cleaning spray like Pjur Med Spray, let it soak for a minute or two, then wash thoroughly. You can do that in your room or the bathroom, so it should be more discreet than boiling.
If you use lube with them, be aware that the girdle that holds the two balls together is silicone, so you shouldn't use silicone lube when you're using that, as silicone lube frequently damages silicone toys. Water-based lube is your best bet.
If you decide you want to wear them outside the house for funsies, make sure you've practiced at home first so you don't end up standing awkwardly in the produce aisle or in the middle of the jogging path with them slipping out and nowhere to go to discreetly remove them.
posted by rhiannonstone at 12:17 AM on August 24, 2013 [2 favorites]
Reps are definitely effective, just like with strengthening any muscle. You don't have to wear them for extended periods of time to get the full benefit. But if the idea of wearing them for longer appeals to you, then try wearing them for 10-15 minutes at a time, while you're doing dishes or something. Increase the number of minutes gradually up to 20-30 minutes, then increase the size or weight.
Wash them with hot soapy water every time you use them. You don't have to boil them. If you feel you need to disinfect them extra-thoroughly, give them a thorough coating of a good alcohol-free sex toy cleaning spray like Pjur Med Spray, let it soak for a minute or two, then wash thoroughly. You can do that in your room or the bathroom, so it should be more discreet than boiling.
If you use lube with them, be aware that the girdle that holds the two balls together is silicone, so you shouldn't use silicone lube when you're using that, as silicone lube frequently damages silicone toys. Water-based lube is your best bet.
If you decide you want to wear them outside the house for funsies, make sure you've practiced at home first so you don't end up standing awkwardly in the produce aisle or in the middle of the jogging path with them slipping out and nowhere to go to discreetly remove them.
posted by rhiannonstone at 12:17 AM on August 24, 2013 [2 favorites]
The Luna mini balls are recommended for women who have never given birth, so that's something to consider. There's also some instructional videos if you search online. I haven't watched any, but I'm pretty sure it's not necessary to tug on the string while doing reps.
posted by Specklet at 5:03 AM on August 24, 2013
posted by Specklet at 5:03 AM on August 24, 2013
For discrete sterilzation you can always use a baby bottle steamer bag something like Medela's. It uses the microwave and takes only 2 minutes.
posted by jadepearl at 6:38 AM on August 24, 2013
posted by jadepearl at 6:38 AM on August 24, 2013
Don't leave them in too long. Like overnight. Your muscles are connected and if they get too worn out then good luck holding your urine.
posted by lover at 6:44 AM on August 24, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by lover at 6:44 AM on August 24, 2013 [2 favorites]
I think unless you're having problems with some sort of vaginal infection, you don't need to boil them or make yourself too crazy about the cleanliness, especially if you're not leaving them in for ages and ages. I mean, keep them clean, but vaginas have evolved to deal with lots of not-sterile stuff being in them. Their acidity (much lower pH than the rest of the body) helps kill stuff.
posted by needs more cowbell at 4:52 PM on August 30, 2013
posted by needs more cowbell at 4:52 PM on August 30, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by lover at 8:42 PM on August 23, 2013