Editing Kegel exercise (section)

==Mechanism of action==
Kegel exercises aim to improve [[muscle tone]] by strengthening the [[pubococcygeus muscle]]s of the [[pelvic floor]]. Kegel is a popular{{quantify|date=September 2020}} prescribed exercise for pregnant women to prepare the [[pelvic floor]] for physiological stresses of the later stages of [[pregnancy]] and [[childbirth]]. Various advisors recommend Kegel exercises for treating [[vaginal prolapse]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.emedicinehealth.com/vaginal_prolapse/article_em.htm|title= Vaginal Prolapse|author= September 2, 2011|date= 2011-02-09|publisher= eMedicineHealth|access-date= 2011-09-02|archive-date= 2006-07-21|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060721174112/http://www.emedicinehealth.com/vaginal_prolapse/article_em.htm|url-status= live}}</ref> and preventing [[uterine prolapse]]<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001508.htm#Prevention|title= MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Uterine prolapse|date= 2011-08-29|publisher= Nlm.nih.gov|access-date= 2011-09-02|archive-date= 2001-08-20|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20010820053741/https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001508.htm#Prevention|url-status= live}}</ref> in women and for treating [[prostate]] pain{{citation needed|date=August 2019}} and swelling resulting from [[benign prostatic hyperplasia]] (BPH) and [[prostatitis]] in men.  Kegel exercises may have benefits in treating [[urinary incontinence]] in both men and women.<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite web|url= https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003975.htm|title= MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Kegel exercises|date= 2011-08-29|publisher= Nlm.nih.gov|access-date= 2011-09-02|archive-date= 2001-06-17|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20010617161228/https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003975.htm|url-status= live}}</ref> Kegel exercises may also increase sexual gratification, allowing women to complete [[pompoir]] and aiding men in reducing [[premature ejaculation]].<ref name="autogenerated22"/> The many actions performed by Kegel muscles include holding in urine and avoiding defecation. Reproducing this type of muscle action can strengthen the Kegel muscles. The action of slowing or stopping the flow of urine may be used as a test of the correct pelvic-floor exercise technique.<ref>Kenway, M., and Goh, J. (2009). ''Inside Out: The Essential Women's Guide to Pelvic Support''.</ref><ref name=":0" />

The components of [[levator ani]] (the pelvic diaphragm), namely pubococcygeus, [[puborectalis]] and [[iliococcygeus]], contract and relax as one muscle.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gowda |first1=Supreeth N. |last2=Bordoni |first2=Bruno |title=StatPearls |date=2022 |publisher=StatPearls Publishing |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556078/ |access-date=11 May 2022 |chapter=Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Levator Ani Muscle |pmid=32310538 |archive-date=9 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109014229/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556078/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Hence pelvic-floor exercises involve the entire levator ani rather than pubococcygeus alone. Pelvic floor exercises may help in cases of [[fecal incontinence]] and in pelvic organ prolapse conditions e.g. [[rectal prolapse]].<ref name="Bø 2006">{{cite journal|last= Bø|first= K|year= 2006|title= Can pelvic floor muscle training prevent and treat pelvic organ prolapse?|journal= Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand|volume= 85|issue= 3|pages= 263–8|doi= 10.1080/00016340500486800|pmid= 16553172|s2cid= 221452341|doi-access= free}}</ref>