Vaginal Weights: To Use or Not To Use?
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Hello, hi, and happy New Year, Bestie! I’m so excited for all of our chats to come this year. Speaking of pelvic floor chats, has anyone ever tried to convince you that you need a stronger pelvic floor? I’m talking about someone who has never assessed your pelvic floor and maybe even someone who hasn’t ever talked to you in person. Maybe it isn’t a person, but a company instead. If you’re like me, then you’ve noticed regular messaging on social media telling you that you need a stronger pelvic floor. Just the other day, I came across a Facebook post in which a multi-level marketing gal was selling a product she claimed would “strengthen your pelvic floor and improve your ‘Os.’” The product was, in essence, a form of vaginal weight/cone and while this seems like a pretty benign claim, it set off a few alarm bells for me. This is nothing against my MLM girlies, but I do object to non-healthcare professionals trying to sell products related to pelvic health. Also, this post came with no research attached to it and no statement about talking with your medical provider before initiating use of the device. It just left me with a bad feeling. So today I wanted to talk a bit about vaginal weights and their role in pelvic health. I want to answer the questions “What are vaginal weights?,” “Do vaginal weights work to strengthen the pelvic floor?,” “Do I need vaginal weights to strengthen my pelvic floor?,” “Can vaginal weights give me better orgasms?,” and “What does it even mean to have a strong pelvic floor?” Here we go!
What are vaginal weights?
Vaginal weights, sometimes also called vaginal cones are objects that are inserted into the vaginal canal with the purpose of providing resistance to the muscles of the area and therefore improving strength. They come in many forms and you might know them by any of the following terms: weighted cones, yoni eggs, jade eggs, or ben-wa balls. They vary in weight, but are most often somewhere between 25 grams and 125 grams. Vaginal weights are typically made of plastic or silicone and are firm to the touch.
Examples of vaginal weights
Do vaginal weights work to strengthen the pelvic floor? Do I NEED vaginal weights to strengthen my pelvic floor?
This is truly the question of the century. Folks who want to strengthen their pelvic floors will often buy a set of vaginal weights before doing anything else when it comes to their pelvic health. When we look at the research, most studies consistently show that vaginal weights do, in fact, help to strengthen the pelvic floor when used correctly. A Cochrane Review article from 2013 reported that the use of vaginal weights is better than having no treatment (1). However, it has also been reported that the use of vaginal weights is no better than pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) without the weights, bladder retraining, or electrical stimulation to the pelvic floor (1,2). This is to say that if you complete kegels (remember: it’s pronounced “kay-guls”) with or without vaginal weights, you can reach the same pelvic floor strength result. To me, this is a clear case for not using vaginal weights. If you can achieve the same result doing the same activities without the weights, then why would you buy the weights? Vaginal weights can be costly, need to be cleaned and maintained, and are more invasive than regular PFMT. For these reasons, I typically recommend just going ahead with basic PFMT and avoiding the use of weights.
However, there are some cases in which I think the weights have merit. First is when a patient is really inspired by the vaginal weights. For some, the use of the weights may make PFMT feel more like an activity and may encourage them to complete their PFMT with appropriate regularity. Second, in folks who are having a difficult time “finding” their pelvic floor, the weights can provide a tactile cue. Some people can have a tough time figuring out how to perform a pelvic floor muscle contraction when starting out with PFMT because they’ve never really thought about their pelvic floor before. A vaginal weight provides a downward pulling sensation that can help the brain figure out which muscles should be working in order to lift the weight of the device.
It is important to note, though, that vaginal weights are not appropriate for everyone. In folks with very weak pelvic floors, I would avoid vaginal weight usage until they are able to complete repetitions of complete full pelvic floor muscle contractions. In those with pelvic pain or constipation, I would also advise against use of vaginal weights in order to focus on pelvic floor muscle (PFM) lengthening. It is essential to talk with your pelvic health specialist before initiating use of vaginal weights. It’s easy to be enticed by the promise of better orgasms, but in folks with sexual dysfunction, they can lead to worsened symptoms. Make sure you are evaluated by a professional before jumping into vaginal weight usage.
Can vaginal weights give better orgasms?
It is fairly well documented that folks with stronger pelvic floors have better orgasms (3,4). So in the sense that vaginal weights can help strengthen the pelvic floor, they can, presumably, also result in stronger orgasms. However, remember that vaginal weights aren’t more beneficial in strengthening the pelvic floor as regular PFMT. If you want better orgasms, why not just start with PFMT? I haven’t come across studies that directly tie the use of vaginal weights to better orgasms.
What does it even mean to have a strong pelvic floor?
As we know by now, the pelvic floor is a versatile and important system of muscles. PFMs are strong when they can powerfully contract in a squeeze and lift motion. They can withstand downward pressure that occurs during exercise, coughing, sneezing, and jumping. A strong pelvic floor is important, but what’s most important is a healthy pelvic floor. A healthy pelvic floor is not only strong, it is functional. It helps you avoid urinary or fecal leakage, urinary urgency, pelvic pain, and more. It allows you to pass stool easily and empty your bladder completely. A healthy pelvic floor that is strong allows for sexual satisfaction.
I am not against the use of vaginal weights. As I mentioned above, there are some cases where I even find them beneficial. However, I do think they are being used too often and by the wrong people. If you are curious about vaginal weights, talk with your pelvic health specialist to see whether they would be appropriate for you. I don’t think they are worth the investment unless recommended to you specifically by a professional. If you have been recommended vaginal weights, Intimate Rose has a set of high quality weights that are commonly used in the pelvic health world and that many providers trust.
If you’re looking to shed weight in 2024, let it be the weight of those vaginal cones you likely don’t need.
XOXO,
Your Pelvic Bestie
LINKS TO PRODUCTS MENTIONED:
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References:
1. Herbison G, Dean N. Weighted vaginal cones for urinary incontinence. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD002114.
2. Ganesan, D., Prathap, L., Ling, L. Z., ChyeWah, Y., Suganthirababu, P., Pandian, S., & Ramalingam, V. (2022). Efficacy of vaginal weights in pelvic floor dysfunction: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Health Sciences, 6(S3), 882–899.
3. Martinez CS, Ferreira FV, Castro AAM, Gomide LB. Women with greater pelvic floor muscle strength have better sexual function. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2014; 93: 497–502.
4. Golmakani N, Zare Z, Khadem N, Shareh H, Shakeri MT. The effect of pelvic floor muscle exercises program on sexual self-efficacy in primiparous women after delivery. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2015 May-Jun;20(3):347-53.
*The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
