<b>Why pelvic-floor exercises are called ‘kegels’ </b>

There really was a Dr. Kegel…

Kegel exercises are named after Dr. Arnold Kegel, an American gynecologist, who developed and popularized the exercise designed to strengthen the pelvic-floor muscles for better bladder control. But Kegels provide another benefit: they can result in better sex through stronger erections and orgasms.

The exercise involves contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles, which are located between the legs, from tailbone to pubic bone. Kegels can be performed discreetly anywhere, anytime — like now.

You can locate your pelvic floor muscles by stopping urination midstream.  But don’t make it a habit of doing kegels while you void. You could retain urine, which may lead to a urinary tract infection.

Kegel developed the exercises in the late 1940s to help women control urinary incontinence after childbirth. The former assistant professor of gynecology at the University of Southern California School of Medicine died in 1981.