The Kegel Project Week 4 Update

Here is the final update of the Kegel Project!  4 weeks of Kegeling, and every person showed some sort of improvement.  Some volunteers are leaps and bounds from where they started, and some only showed slight improvement.

The following is the routines followed this week.  Tonight or tomorrow, I'll be posting a solid look at the improvements each person made.  Why not now, you ask?  Because it would be a really long post.  And now, the Week 4 routines!

K (That's me)
Day 21-24: Squeezing on and off throughout the day.

Day 25: Wore Ami 2 for 3 hours while running errands.
Day 26-27: Squeeze on and off throughout the day.

Day 28: Squeeze and hold for as long as I can; 2min 20sec.

Princess Banana-Hammock

Day 22-28: Busy schedule; intermittent Kegels.

Sassy

Day 22: 100 pulses.

Day 23: 20 squeeze and holds.

Day 24: 100 pulses.

Day 25: 50 pulses and 10 squeeze and holds for 5 seconds.
Day 26: Skip.
Day 27: 100 pulses and 5 squeeze and holds.

Day 28:100 pulses, 20 squeeze and holds for 5 seconds. Notes: can now hold for 10 seconds.

Ivana Meisterkegel
Day 22: 5 sets of 10, holding for 10 seconds each.

Day 23: 4 sets of 10 squeeze and holds, holding for 12 seconds. Notes: She's very excited about the vast improvement from the beginning!

Day 24: 4 sets of 10 holding for 12 seconds.

Day 25: 4 sets of 10 holding for 10 seconds. Notes: Period showed up and felt weak.
Day 26: 4 sets of 10 holding for 12 seconds.
Day 27: 5 sets of 10 holding for 12 seconds.
Day 28: 5 sets of 10 holding for 15 seconds. Notes: not as much urine leakage; feels like muscles are firmer during intercourse and feels like it is easier to pull the muscles up higher.

Vixenish Kitty

Day 22: Miss.
Day 23: 50 pulses.
Day 24: 50 pulses.
Day 25: 50 pulses.
Day 26: Miss.
Day 27: 50 pulses.
Day 28: 100 pulses.

Pepper

Day 22: 50 pulses.

Day 23: 50 pulses.
Day 24: 10 sets of pulses throughout the day.
Day 25: 10 sets of pulses throughout the day.
Day 26: Miss
Day 27: Miss. Notes: DivaCup stayed in better during period.
Day 28: 10 pulses.

Elasta O'Kegel

Day 22: 10 squeeze and holds for 7 seven seconds each, rest, then 4 squeeze and holds for 10 seconds each.
Day 23: Tried to Kegel with a partially full bladder; unsuccessful.
Day 24: 8 squeezes for 7 seconds, 2 squeezes for 6 seconds.
Day 25: 10 squeezes for 10 seconds each.
Day 26: Miss.
Day 27: Miss.
Day 28: 10 squeezes for 7-8 seconds each.

Honey Ryder

Day 22: Miss
Day 23: Miss
Day 24: 20 slow squeezes, 5 two second squeezes. Notes: still feel weak.
Day 25: 10 slow squeezes, 10 squeeze and holds for 2 seconds. Notes: Period ended and felt stronger.
Day 26: Miss
Day 27: Long squeezes, pulses, and elevators for about 5 minutes. Notes: After period ended, felt stronger. Couldn't hold it for longer, but felt like she could lift it higher.
Day 28: Repeated Day 27.

Stay tuned for later when I'll take an in depth look at the improvements!

The Kegel Project: Pelvic Floor Fortitude!

I'm starting a new project here on the blog and it's all about Kegels!  I got the idea to have several volunteers, all doing some sort of Kegel routine, and reporting the results.  I did not want the cold, scientific way of saying, "Kegels can improve the muscles.  Kegels can improve orgasm.  Kegels can prevent prolapse," found on medical websites and in sexual health books.  Instead, I wanted to get personal experiences from real people telling me not what could happen if a person practices their Kegel exercises, but what did happen for them.  A personal account of how Kegels helped them and in what way.

Here's how it will work.  Each participant will work their Kegel (PC) muscles, but the routine, duration, frequency, and whether or not they use an exerciser or Kegel balls will be their choice.  Most likely, no two women's routines will look the same.  Each week, they'll report to me with what routines and devices (if any) they used and any changes they are seeing, and I'll post it.

The project will last somewhere between 4 and 8 weeks, depending on how it goes and how long the participants are willing to continue.  There are eight women participating, nine if you count me.  All of them have had children, some vaginally, some via c/s, some a combination of the two.  And of course, because sexuality and sexual health is still such a touchy subject in many circles and to protect privacy, they each picked an alias.  I have to say, some of them really got into picking a name.  It was delightful to watch.

And now, let's meet our participants!

Honey Ryder: 34-year-old mom of 4
Vixenish Kitty: 35-year-old mom of 4
Princess Consuela Banana-Hammock: 38-year-old mom of 5
Lollie: 31-year-old mom of 6
Pepper: 30-year-old mom of 2 (both via c/s)
Ivana Meisterkegel: 32-year-old mom of 6 (5 vaginal births)
Elasta O'Kegel: 42-year-old mom of 5 (1 miscarriage, 1 c/s, 3 vaginal births)
Sassy: 31-year-old mom of 2
And of course, me! K: 31-year-old mom of 2

So, hang around and see how our first week goes!

Je Joue Ami Review and a Giveaway!

My experience with the MiMi was such an utter fail that I never wanted to even consider another Je Joue toy.  EVER.  For a year and a half I let my eyes skip over any and all Je Joue toys, even if they looked interesting.  Then I saw the Ami and was sucked in.  I drooled over it and then I saw the dreaded information on the product page. Manufacturer: Je Joue.  I was instantly disappointed.  I ignored the Ami for a few months, but in the end I had to have it.  Now I'm so very glad I gave the Ami a chance.

A little bit about it: The Je Joue Ami is a set of 3 Kegel exercisers made of smooth, waterproof silicone that has very little drag.  I recommend using a lubricant if you are on the dryer side, but use a water-based lubricant only.  Since the Ami balls are silicone, silicone lubricant will damage them.

If you are new to Kegel exercises, you start with Ami 1 and progress slowly through the course of several weeks to Ami 2 then Ami 3.  If you are intermediate or advanced, you can skip Ami 1 and move right to Ami 2 or Ami 3.  Ami 1, 2, and 3 are all included, along with some instructions on how to begin working your Kegels.

Ami 1: Single ball and weighs 47g.  Roughly 5 inches in circumference at the widest point.

Ami 2: Large double ball.  Weighs 78g.  Each ball is roughly 4.25 inches in circumference.

Ami 3: Small double ball.  Weighs 106 g.  Each ball is roughly 3.5 inches in circumference.  That's not a typo.  Ami 3 is smaller but heavier than the Ami 2.

What I loved: I love being able to step up or down depending on where I am in my pelvic strength.  That is a huge attraction for me.  There have been times when I tried other Kegel exercisers that didn't work for me, but there was nothing I could do.

Typically, when I use Kegel balls I just put them in and go about my business, relying on my muscles to keep them in.  When I tried this with Ami 1, it took no effort to keep it in.  It was too light and too big.  The size alone kept it in place.  I moved on to the Ami 2, which did take a little more work.  It wasn't particularly difficult, but it certainly wasn't easy.  The next day I tried the Ami 3.  Now that one took some effort to keep in place!  I'm delighted to say that I will actually have to work up to that one!  I wore it for a little while and then I sneezed and lost it.  You post-childbirth moms know exactly what I'm talking about.

What I didn't: I'm hard pressed to find something I didn't like.  I guess if I had to pick something it would be that Ami 1 wasn't enough of a workout, but that's why there's Ami 2 and Ami 3.

I think I should note here two things that weren't bothersome to me, but might annoy others.  First, I can not feel the inner balls rattling around.  In case you didn't know, each Ami ball has a smaller ball inside it that rolls around.  Many people love this sensation.  Some claim it actually helps them get a better workout.  I simply can't feel it with the Ami the way I can with Smartballs, but that really doesn't bother me.

Smartballs comparison shot

Second, if you are used to something like Smartballs with a very flexible neck between the balls, you need to know that the necks on the Ami balls are much stiffer.  It's not really a problem, but I didn't think to check the stiffness and accidentally jammed my cervix.  Ow.  Again, I only did that once just because I wasn't paying attention.  Now that I know, it's not a problem.

Final thought: Worth it.  Worth it.  WORTH IT.  Being able to step up or down in size?  Awesome.  Velvety silicone?  Also awesome.  And guess what?  They are reasonably priced!  They cost around $50, which is not that much considering how long they will last you.  Do you know how much I've spent on Kegel balls I didn't like as much?

~This product was given to me by Eden Fantasys in exchange for an honest review.~

Giveaway Time!!!

Eden Fantasys has generously given me a second Je Joue Ami set to give to you!  And guess what else?  I know many of my readers have been in contact with me privately because they don't want to leave a public record of them being on a sex blog.  Hey, I get that.  Really, I do.  It's a legitimate concern for many of us Clark Kent types.  So guess what?  The first entry on the list is for my private readers so you can enter the giveaway, too!  Yes, you!  All you'll have to do is sign in to the giveaway with your email, then shoot me an email from the contact tab at the top of the page, then click the button in the giveaway widget saying you sent me an email.  That's it!  This option is only for those that won't be using the other entry options.  For everyone else that doesn't mind leaving comments and likes social media, move on to the the second option.

Now, I hate to do this, but this is my first giveaway and I want to keep it simple, so I'm opening it to  US residents only.  I know, I know, it's mean and I have so many UK readers.  Cut me some slack while I'm learning the ropes, OK?  I'll make it up to you later.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's finally happened!...sort of.

I know that scientists and sexual health experts say that 2/3 of women can't have vaginal orgasms.  That didn't keep me from trying over and over in the past several years, and with very little success.  Oh, I can have a clitoral orgasm just fine, but I want a vaginal/G-spot orgasm.  Everyone says they are mind-blowing and the best thing ever.  I knew it had never happened for me, and I was most likely incapable of it, but I kept on trying, and Husband kept supporting me.  We both held out hope that I could have a vaginal orgasm.

Now, before I continue, let me say this: it doesn't matter whether you, personally, can have a vaginal orgasm or not.  Really, it doesn't matter.  I mean that.  The reason we kept trying is we want to know everything that we can do in the bedroom.  We want to know everything our bodies are capable of.  If I can have a vaginal orgasm, well, I want to know that.

Moving on.  Remember when I got the Njoy Pure Wand?  I thought if anything could give me a vaginal orgasm, this could.  The Pure Wand has been revered.  Celebrated.  Adored and sought after.  I had high hopes for it, and Husband and I decided I should use it and see what happens.  After a little while, my arm got tired.  The Pure Wand is stainless steel and heavy.  I wanted to keep going, since it seemed to most definitely be working as intended, but I just couldn't.  Reluctantly, I paused.  Then it happened.  I felt the familiar, rhythmic, involuntary pulses of my muscles that usually accompanied my clitoral orgasms, but much weaker.  But there was no feeling of release afterward.  No clear plateau, no clear resolution.  It merely felt good, then this weak pulsing.  I wondered if that was it.  I wondered if I just had a vaginal orgasm.  I did it again.  Same result.

Husband and talked about it.  What, exactly, had happened?  Pulsing, but no release?  What's up with that?  Nevertheless, involuntary pulsing, even though it's weak, does seem to signal orgasm.

"Is that it?" I asked Husband.  "Did I really...?"

"I think so," Husband said.

Honestly, I feel a little cheated for two reasons.  One, I've been having that sensation for years, I just never equated it with orgasm.  There's no resolution and feeling of release, and the muscle contractions are so weak I don't feel them unless I stop moving.  I had no reason to equate those sensations with orgasms until I happened, seemingly by chance, to stop moving when I had the same sensation.  Two, I was promised mind-blowing, darn it!  Where is the amazing, nothing-can-top-it feeling everyone raves about?  This is it?  A few minor muscle contractions?  Well, darn it.

This the point where I remember that everyone is different.  It would appear that I just have weak vaginal orgasms.  There's nothing wrong with my clitoral ones being much, much stronger.  But then I wonder if I can ever get to the point of amazing vaginal ones.  I'm going to work on my kegels and see what that does.  Or, maybe this is it.  I also wonder if more women are actually capable of vaginal orgasms but don't know it because they are so weak.

Fun Factory Smartballs Teneo Uno and Teneo Duo Review

I firmly believe that working my Kegel muscles is an incredibly important thing.  Not only is it thought to prevent uterine prolapse, but it leads to stronger orgasms.  And who doesn't want that?

I never noticed how much stronger my orgasms had gotten since I started practicing my Kegels and wearing Kegel balls...until my orgasms became extremely weak.  When I worked my muscles, my husband could actually feel my muscles spasm around him when I reached orgasm.  When I got busy and forgot for several weeks, my orgasms became weak and, frankly, unsatisfying.  When I went back to using Kegel balls, guess what happened?  Yep, stronger orgasms again.

I'm now going to tell you about my favorite (at the moment) Kegel balls: Fun Factory's Smartballs Teneo Uno and Teneo Duo.

A little bit about them:  Teneo Uno is a single Kegel ball weighing .4lbs.  It has a smaller ball inside of the larger ball.  Fun Factory says that the smaller ball rolling around the inside of the larger one makes your vagina think it's about to drop something, and therefore your muscles struggle to keep it in.  The Duo works on the same principle, except it is two weighted balls attached to each other (total of .3 lbs).  The Uno and Duo can be purchased separately or as a set.  Both Uno and Duo are made of silicone, and feature a removal loop and a finger depression for easier insertion.  Remember, silicone toys should NEVER be used with silicone lubricant (water based only!) and should be kept away from other silicone toys.

 Hey, look, there's a video!

What I loved: Both the Uno and the Duo do what they are intended to do: work the Kegel muscles.  The proof is in the stronger orgasms that even Husband noticed!  The silicone is lovely, the color choice is fantastic.  They are funky and fun looking while still maintaining some class.

When I use these, I find that they are just the right size and shape for me so that my muscles definitely have to work to keep them in, but I don't have to struggle to keep them in.  It's a nice balance.

What I didn't:  The removal loop on both the Uno and the Duo are just too long.  They hang down between my labia and freaking annoy me.  I can ignore it...eventually.

I should probably add that some people have said that the Duo in general is too long for them.


Final thought:  I loved both the Uno and the Duo.  They definitely work my muscles.  However, I have to say that if I had to pick just one, I'd go with the Uno.  The Duo is fine, but the structure is just short of being too long to fit, and no, I don't have a tilted uterus.  I just find the Duo to be very long.  Add the length of the two balls together, plus the extra long removal loop, and, well, I just prefer the shorter Uno.  All in all, I'm glad I bought them and will continue to use both Uno and Duo.






~I received this product at a discount in exchange for writing a review on another site.~