Investigation Of The Effects Of Kegel Exercises On Vaginal Flatus Among Postpartum Women (KEGEL-VF)

merve yilmaz menek

Status: Completed

Conditions: Postpartum Pelvic Floor Function and Symptoms; Flatus; Postpartum; Pelvic Floor Awareness

Treatments: Behavioral: Kegel Exercises

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06896500

E-10840098-772.02-3326 (Registry Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

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).

Full 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).

Enrollment: 40 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 20 to 50 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

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.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

---

40 participants in 2 patient groups

Kegel Exercise Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants 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.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Kegel Exercises

Control Group

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants in this group did not perform any pelvic floor exercises and continued their routine postpartum activities. No intervention was applied