Women have been putting some interesting things into their vaginas lately—jade eggs, crystals, even cucumbers. In the pursuit of a tight taco, it seems there’s not much we won’t try. But while the jury’s still out on the benefits—and safety!—of some of the more foreign objects (except for this gynaecologist who’s completely against them), there is one thing that’s a tried-and-tested method: kegel balls.
While technically classified a sex toy for its vibrating abilities, kegel balls are so much more than that. Kegel exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which can help prepare women for childbirth, prevent vaginal prolapse and improve bladder control. Not to mention, a strong pelvic floor is positively linked to increased sexual sensitivity and satisfaction. Kegel exercises increase blood flow to the genital area and train women to tighten their vaginas, resulting in more intense orgasms and a higher chance of multiple “O”s, too.
So, it’s no surprise that sex toy expert, Anna Lee, thinks we should all own a pair of kegel balls. “It’s not just your hips, thighs and tums that benefit from exercise. If you want ultra-tight vaginal muscles you have to work for them!” she told us. “Introducing kegel balls into your health and wellbeing routine is a sure-fire way to increase sensation, improve muscle tone and generally make you feel tip top down under.”
Not familiar with these kinds of balls? Don’t panic. Here’s everything you need to know.
First things first, they come in a variety of sizes and styles, from a singular ball to two attached ones. It’s best to start with a light, larger ball and increase the weight as the muscles grow stronger. Lee recommends this one from Love Honey for beginners—if you’re nervous, remember that it’s 30g while an average egg is about 600g.
Next up, this is how to use it.
- Take the ball from its packet, give it a clean with hot soapy water and a few sprays of sex toy cleaner.
- Apply a generous amount of lubricant to the ball and the entrance of your vagina, as this will make insertion much easier.
- Slide the ball inside until it feels comfortable. Sometimes this can be difficult so try lying down or lifting one leg up. With most balls, there will be a string or loop that will sit outside the vagina (just like a tampon) for easy retrieval.
- To make sure your muscles are working properly, contract your pelvic floor and you should experience a feeling of fullness.
- To get the most from your workout, you should try to keep the balls in for at least 15 minutes a day and clench at regular intervals.
- When you’ve finished your workout, you should always clean your balls to avoid bacteria build-up.
Sexy tip: to get a better workout, you can keep them in for longer.
Not-so-sexy tip: If you’re going for an endurance workout, do not urinate with them still inside. Always remove them first by pulling on the retrieval string or cord.
While it’s tempting to use that 15 minutes to multitask (clean while you kegel, anyone?), Lee warns against it for beginners.
“When starting out, it’s a good idea to avoid doing vigorous activity to prevent the balls from slipping out. Sometimes, a violent movement like a sneeze or a cough can cause the balls to dislodge. However, once your muscles become strong enough to hold them in, you can start to take on more physical tasks whilst wearing them.”
So, what are you waiting for? I’m doing mine right now.
