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Your questions answered

Questions

1. How often should I use the Educator?
2. How do you clean the Educator?
3. Which way should the wand move?
4. What happens if the wand doesn’t move at all?
5. What happens if I can’t get it in?
6. Can it give me an infection?
7. Do I have to wash it first?
8. Which is better, lying or sitting, while using the Educator?
9. How soon after having a baby can I start to use Educator?
10. What is the best time of day to use the Educator?
11. For how long should I continue to use the Educator?
12. What should I do if I’m exercising regularly but don’t feel any improvements?

Answers

If possible, use the Educator at least once a day to begin with. Once you are confident you are contracting correctly you can exercise without it – at any time of day – whatever you are doing. Aim to perform a daily mix of both fast and slow exercise sessions throughout the day until it becomes second nature.

Before use, always wash the Educator in warm soapy water, rinse thoroughly and dry. DO NOT USE BOILING WATER. Repeat after each use and ensure that the Educator is completely dry before storing.

If you are contracting correctly, the indicator should move in a downwards direction. If you are contracting incorrectly then the indicator will move upwards. This means you are bearing down (as if passing a stool or pushing a baby out). If the indicator moves upward then keep trying until it moves downwards towards your knees, it’s as simple as that!

You may also notice that the indicator wand may also move slightly to one side or the other, this is perfectly normal, it just shows that one side of the muscles may be stronger than the other.

Check that the Educator's body is positioned correctly and the indicator is pointing upwards. Relax your pelvic floor. Try again.

If the indicator still does not move it may be that you are trying to contract the wrong muscles. One way of identifying the pelvic floor is to try and stop passing urine mid-stream by lifting and squeezing the muscles to stop the flow. Another way is to place the tip of a finger on the area of the skin between the vagina and the anus. When the muscle contracts correctly it will lift up and away from the finger.

If, after trying all this, the muscles still do not appear to produce any movement then it may be because your pelvic floor is extremely weak and may need some help in becoming strong enough to exercise. Continence Care nurses and physiotherapists are there to help you. If you feel you need assistance, especially if you do experience some leakage, then ask your doctor to refer you to a local specialist. They have the skills to help you to achieve a good, strong, healthy pelvic floor.

If your first use of the Educator produces little or no movement do not give up immediately. Continue trying with the Educator daily for two weeks or so. The first sign of any movement, however small, will show that you are making some progress.

Ensure that any movement in the indicator is in the right direction, i.e. downwards, and build on this small beginning. Strengthening of any muscle takes time.

You may find the Educator easier to insert if it is wet with a small amount of water or a lubricant, such as KY Jelly, is used. NEVER force the Educator. If you continue to have difficulties you may need help from your doctor, continence advisor or women’s health physiotherapist.

Not if you follow a simple hygiene routine. Always make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before using the Educator. Make sure each individual part of the Educator is washed in warm soapy water, rinsed and dried each and every time you use it. If you are at all concerned that you may have an infection, stop using the Educator and see your doctor.

Make sure each individual part of the Educator is washed in warm soapy water, rinsed and dried each and every time you use it.

8.  Which is better, lying or sitting, while using the Educator?

You can exercise in any position, so chose the position you find most comfortable ensuring you can easily see the indicator wand.

Listen to your body, and start as soon as you feel comfortable. It’s best to wait until any stitches or grazes have healed, which can take up to eight weeks. Alternatively, wait until you’ve been given the all clear at your post-natal check-up. The Educator should not be used during pregnancy.

The Educator can be used at any time of day to suit you, but bear in mind that muscles tire as the day goes on. If you exercise in the evening you may not be able to exercise for as long as usual.

Don’t expect miracles immediately. A typical pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation programme will take three to four months. If possible, use the Educator at least once a day to begin with. Once you are confident you are contracting correctly you can exercise without it – at any time of day – whatever you are doing. Aim to perform a daily mix of both fast and slow exercise sessions throughout the day until it becomes second nature.

REMEMBER: As with so many things – USE IT OR LOSE IT! All muscles need to be exercised regularly.

First check the user instructions again to make sure you’re using the Educator correctly. If you are and you’re not getting the results you’d hoped for, then ask your doctor to put you in touch with a continence advisor or Women’s Health Physiotherapist for one to one advice.