Ask Kayla Quinn

I actually learned a bit about kegels that I did not know while researching your question! First of all, I have been mispronouncing it all these years! LOL I have been saying kI-gul, with a long I sound and soft u in the second syllable. It is actually pronounced KAY-gill, long A and soft I at the end. Oooops? It is so named after Dr. Arnold Kegel who developed the exercise in 1948 as a method of controlling incontinence in women after childbirth. It tones up and strengthens the pubococcygeus muscle (commonly referred to as the PC muscle), which supports the urethra, bladder, uterus, vagina and rectum in women. Another fact I did not know until digging in to this question, men have a PC muscle and can benefit from kegels as well! In men, this muscle supports the urethra, bladder, penis, and rectum. Involved in both orgasm and ejaculation, strengthening the PC muscle can not only lead to a more fulfilling sex life but can actually help combat impotence and urinary problems. Sounds win-win to me!

Not sure how to find your PC muscle? You know when you really gotta pee, but your clenching so you don't? THAT is the PC muscle you are using when you do that! Next time you're taking a tinkle, try clenching (technically flexing) that muscle to stop your urine mid-flow. That is the basic kegel! (Just to make sure no one is confused here, you are not supposed to do kegels while pissing...just helping you locate the right muscle.)

The entire exercise is basically flexing that muscle, holding it anywhere from 5-10 seconds then releasing it for a second or two and repeating the process. For quickest results (we are a "Fast Food Nation" as Eric Schlosser so poignantly proves in his novel by the same title... subtle hint to read that book...), faithfully do your kegel routine daily. Since it is such a discreet exercise, it can be done just about anywhere at just about any time. Consistency and repetition are key here.

One last note, you should not be tightening your abs or back or thighs doing these. Just your PC muscle. Well, you might feel your asshole clench, too...happens. This is not something that going overkill the first day or two will help speed up the results on, so don't do that. Kegels are not that difficult, you are not power-lifting here...don't hold your breath, don't "feel the burn"... just flex the PC muscle! You should start feeling results in your sex life in about 3-4 weeks if you were vigilant about doing the exercises daily.