Investigation Of The Effects Of Kegel Exercises On Vaginal Flatus Among Postpartum Women

NCT06896500 — Not applicable, Completed, 40 participants, merve yilmaz menek

ClinicalTrials Daily  ·  Areas  ·  Conditions  ·  Drugs  ·  Sponsors  ·  
RegistryNCT06896500, acronym KEGEL-VF
StatusCompleted
PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional; randomized, parallel, masking: double, treatment
Enrollment40 (Actual)
Sponsormerve yilmaz menek (Other); collaborators: Istanbul Medipol University Hospital
ConditionsPelvic Floor Awareness, Postpartum, Postpartum Pelvic Floor Function and Symptoms, Flatus
InterventionsKegel Exercises (Behavioral)
Datesstart 2022-06-08, primary completion 2023-12-31, completion 2024-02-28, first posted 2025-03-26, last updated 2025-03-26
Locations1 site in Turkey (Türkiye)

Related Papers Related Patents Related Grants Related Experts
All trials for Pelvic Floor Awareness All trials for Postpartum All trials of Kegel Exercises

-Summary

Title: Investigation of the Effects of Kegel Exercises on Vaginal Flatus Among Postpartum Women

Brief Summary:

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Kegel exercises in reducing vaginal flatus among postpartum women. Vaginal flatus, the involuntary passage of air through the vagina, is a common but often underreported pelvic floor dysfunction that can affect women's quality of life.

A total of 40 postpartum women were randomly assigned to an experimental group (performing Kegel exercises) or a control group (no intervention). The experimental group performed Kegel exercises three times daily in different positions for six weeks. Vaginal flatus frequency and bother scores were assessed using a validated questionnaire, and sexual quality of life was evaluated with the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12).

Expand all sections  ·  Collapse all

+Detailed description

This study is a randomized controlled trial designed to assess the effectiveness of Kegel exercises in reducing vaginal flatus among postpartum women. Vaginal flatus, the involuntary passage of air through the vagina, is a common but often overlooked pelvic floor dysfunction that can negatively impact women's quality of life.

A total of 40 postpartum women were recruited and randomly assigned to either the experimental group, which performed Kegel exercises, or the control group, which received no intervention. Participants in the experimental group were instructed to perform Kegel exercises three times daily in different positions (supine, sitting, and standing) over six weeks. The intervention focused on strengthening the pelvic floor muscles through a combination of fast and slow contractions targeting both Type I and Type II muscle fibers.

The primary outcome measures included vaginal flatus frequency and bother scores, which were assessed using a validated questionnaire before and after the intervention. Additionally, sexual quality of life was evaluated using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12).

+Arms and interventions

ArmTypeInterventionsDescription
Kegel Exercise GroupExperimentalBehavioral: Kegel ExercisesParticipants in this group performed Kegel exercises three times daily in different positions (supine, sitting, and standing) for three weeks, followed by a six-week home program. The exercises targeted both type I and type II muscle fibers with fast and slow contractions.
Control GroupNo interventionParticipants in this group did not perform any pelvic floor exercises and continued their routine postpartum activities. No intervention was applied
  • Kegel Exercises (Behavioral): Kegel exercises performed three times daily in different positions (supine, sitting, and standing) for three weeks, followed by a six-week home program

+Outcome measures

Primary outcomes

  • Vaginal Flatus Frequency Reduction [Baseline to at least 6 weeks postpartum]: The primary outcome is the change in vaginal flatus frequency, assessed via patient-reported questionnaire before and after the intervention. Smaller values indicate less flatus, while higher values signify an increase in flatus.

+Eligibility

Sex: Female, ages: 20 Years to 50 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* being between the ages of 20-50,
* being postpartum at least 6 weeks after the last birth,
* having a complaint of vaginal flatus, and being willing to exercise

Exclusion Criteria:

* being over four months postpartum,
* current pregnancy,
* presence of pelvic infection,
* inability to indicate whether there is vaginal flatus,
* the presence of gynecological cancer.

+Locations (1)

FacilityCityCountryStatus
Istanbul Medipol UniversityIstanbulTurkey (Türkiye)

+Publications

  • Results publication: Lau HH, Su TH, Chen YY, Huang WC. The Prevalence of Vaginal Flatus in Women With Pelvic Floor Disorders and Its Impact on Sexual Function. J Sex Med. 2021 Mar;18(3):487-492. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.12.008. Epub 2021 Jan 24. PMID 33504467
  • Results publication: Neels H, Pacquee S, Shek KL, Gillor M, Caudwell-Hall J, Dietz HP. Is vaginal flatus related to pelvic floor functional anatomy? Int Urogynecol J. 2020 Dec;31(12):2551-2555. doi: 10.1007/s00192-020-04371-9. Epub 2020 Jun 11. PMID 32529562

+Investigators