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

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).

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Postpartum; Postpartum Pelvic Floor Function and Symptoms; Flatus; Pelvic Floor Awareness
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Kegel Exercises

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).

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 40
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Istanbul, Turkey, 34810
    • Istanbul Medipol University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

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.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Kegel Exercise Group; 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.	Behavioral: Kegel Exercises; Kegel exercises performed three times daily in different positions (supine, sitting, and standing) for three weeks, followed by a six-week home program
No Intervention: Control Group; Participants in this group did not perform any pelvic floor exercises and continued their routine postpartum activities. No intervention was applied

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Vaginal Flatus Frequency Reduction	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.	Baseline to at least 6 weeks postpartum

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: merve yilmaz menek
• Collaborators: Istanbul Medipol University Hospital
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Ayse Kavasoglu Kaya, M.D., Medipol University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• 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.
• 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.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 8, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 31, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): February 28, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 13, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 19, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): March 26, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 26, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 19, 2025
• Last Verified: March 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: postpartum period; pelvic floor exercises; kegel exercises; vaginal gas; vaginal flatus
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Signs and Symptoms, Digestive; Flatulence
• Other Study ID Numbers: E-10840098-772.02-3326 (Registry Identifier: Istanbul Medipol University Ethics Committee)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: No, I will not share IPD

Study Data/Documents

1. Clinical Study Report
   Information identifier: Ethics Committee Application
2. Informed Consent Form
   Information identifier: informed consent form
3. Forms
   Information identifier: Vaginal flatus status form
4. Study Protocol
   Information identifier: study main data

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No