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

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).

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.