Arnold Kegel
Encyclopedia
Arnold H. Kegel M.D., F.A.C.S. (1894–1981) was a gynecologist who invented the Kegel Perineometer
(used for measuring vagina
l air pressure) and Kegel exercises (squeezing of the muscle
s of the pelvic floor) as non-surgical treatment of genital relaxation. Today pelvic floor exercises are widely held as first-line treatment for urinary stress incontinence
and female genital prolapse, with evidence supporting its use from systematic reviews of randomized trials in the Cochrane Library
amongst others. Kegel first published his ideas in 1948. He was Assistant Professor of Gynecology at the University of Southern California School of Medicine
.
Perineometer
A perineometer or Kegel perineometer is an instrument for measuring the strength of voluntary contractions of the pelvic floor muscles. Arnold Kegel was the gynecologist who invented the Kegel Perineometer and Kegel exercises...
(used for measuring vagina
Vagina
The vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. Female insects and other invertebrates also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the...
l air pressure) and Kegel exercises (squeezing of the muscle
Muscle
Muscle is a contractile tissue of animals and is derived from the mesodermal layer of embryonic germ cells. Muscle cells contain contractile filaments that move past each other and change the size of the cell. They are classified as skeletal, cardiac, or smooth muscles. Their function is to...
s of the pelvic floor) as non-surgical treatment of genital relaxation. Today pelvic floor exercises are widely held as first-line treatment for urinary stress incontinence
Stress incontinence
Stress incontinence is a form of urinary incontinence.Stress urinary incontinence , also known as effort incontinence, is due essentially to insufficient strength of the pelvic floor muscles.-Pathophysiology:...
and female genital prolapse, with evidence supporting its use from systematic reviews of randomized trials in the Cochrane Library
Cochrane Library
The Cochrane Library is a collection of databases in medicine and other healthcare specialties provided by the Cochrane Collaboration and other organisations. At its core is the collection of Cochrane Reviews, a database of systematic reviews and meta-analyses which summarize and interpret the...
amongst others. Kegel first published his ideas in 1948. He was Assistant Professor of Gynecology at the University of Southern California School of Medicine
.