Clinical trial NCT06896500: Investigation Of The Effects Of Kegel Exercises On Vaginal Flatus Among Postpartum Women
Official title: Investigation Of The Effects Of Kegel Exercises On Vaginal Flatus Among Postpartum Women
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Pelvic Floor Awareness
Postpartum
Postpartum Pelvic Floor Function and Symptoms
Flatus
Keywords: kegel exercises
pelvic floor exercises
postpartum period
vaginal gas
vaginal flatus
Lead sponsor: Istanbul Medipol University Hospital
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Istanbul Medipol University Hospital
First posted: 2025-03-26
Enrollment: 40
Sex: FEMALE
Minimum age (years): 20
Maximum age (years): 50
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: This is a parallel-group, randomized controlled trial with two arms: an experimental group performing Kegel exercises and a control group receiving no intervention
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief 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).

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).

Eligibility criteria: 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.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Vaginal Flatus Frequency Reduction
timeFrame: Baseline to at least 6 weeks postpartum
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Istanbul
country: Turkey
facility: Istanbul Medipol University
Study officials:
affiliation: Medipol University
name: Ayse Kavasoglu Kaya, M.D.
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: 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.
citation: 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.