Vaginal weightlifting is a type of genital exercise encompassing strength training using the contraction of pelvic floor muscles to lift an object inserted in the vagina.
Contents
Equipment
Vaginal weightlifting may utilise specialised equipment such as weighted vaginal cones, yoni eggs or jade eggs. Vaginal cones, developed by Plevnik et al., have existed as a pelvic floor re-education method for about a quarter of a century. Jade eggs were used for a long time in ancient Chinese practice. Jade eggs are oval serpentine objects available in three different sizes and the practitioner starts with the large egg, moving towards the small with increasing expertise in muscle control and strength. After Gwyneth Paltrow recommended jade eggs on her lifestyle website GOOP, gynecologists criticised jade eggs as being porous and unsanitary. Can be very dangerous and cause pelvis floor disfunction. It was once used by Chinese queens to be prepared for the emperors but is now being mainly used by young white women. Shiva Rose an avid jade egg user who discuses the Chinese history behind the egg warns buyers to not purchase them in China as the ingredients in the egg are unknown.
Claimed benefits
Proponents of vaginal weightlifting claim that the exercises yield better results than standard PFME (pelvic floor muscle exercises) such as Kegels in pelvic floor strengthening due to introduction of added resistance. However, a 2002 Cochrane Collaboration study reached the result that pelvic floor exercises practiced with vaginal cones proved no significant advantages over Kegel exercises in treatment of stress urinary incontinence. Sex therapists and gynecologists such as Dr. Laura Berman and Dr. Amy Tuteur assert that practice of vaginal weightlifting and standard PFME should not be considered mutually exclusive. On Gwyneth Paltrows website the jade egg claims to create better sex. The jade egg is able to harness the power of crystal healing while also creating a legal like practice. Various testimonials by jade egg users have claimed that it is able to increase chi, orgasms, vaginal muscle tone, hormone balance and feminine energy. A claimed expert in jade eggs Shiva Rose has been using jade eggs for about 7 years and says that they have detoxing power. Shiva Rose claims that through the jade egg she was able to connect with her womb and experienced a list of benefits including: Strengthening the pelvic floor, Maintaining healthy reproductive organs, Enhancing sexuality and receptiveness, Toning the walls of the yoni, Balancing the hormones, Preventing the decline of, nerves, the bladder and uterus, Healing from past traumas, Awakening feminine power, Creating chi, and Increasing overall pleasure in all areas of your life. Shiva rose provides instructions on her websites for those who own jade eggs she recommends that you "First clean and clear the egg this can be done by boiling it for a few minutes in clean water. Then after drying it, burn some sage around the egg and see it being cleansed. Imagine golden or white light being channeled into the egg. Place the egg under the light of the full moon from time to time. If the egg has a drilled hole for string then clean that out with warm water and soap and a pipe cleaner or needle. Create a quiet space and light a candle and place the egg before you on a beautiful scarf or textile. Imagine all your intentions being flowed into the egg before you begin using it. Before beginning lay down on the earth and place the jade egg on your belly and then your heart. Create a relationship with the magic of this stone." Shiva rose suggests that women sleep with the egg inserted or take a walk with it in if they can handle the energy for that amount of time.
The Dangers
In an interview with California OB/GYN Dr. Jen Gunter who is an expert in infectious diseases and pelvic floor disfunction she talked about many of the real dangers that can occur for women who use the jade egg. Due to the porous nature of the rock different forms of bacteria can get trapped in all of the little nocks and crannies of the rock. This can increase a women likelihood of contracting vaginosis or toxic shock syndrome. Both the goop website and Shiva Rose recommend that women wear these jade eggs for extended periods of time. Dr. Jen Gunter strongly advises against this as your vaginal muscles are not meant to be contracted for that long. Wearing the egg for a long time could actual cause disfunction in your muscles that could lead to pelvic floor disfunction. As well Dr. Gunter points out the confusion that stems from the use of the word Yoni. Yoni is Sanskrit for womb but your vagina and your uterus are two very different systems so the idea of inserting this jade rock into your yoni is incorrect and could lead to more misinformation about women reproductive systems.
World record
Guinness World Record in the category vaginal weightlifting is held by Tatyana Kozhevnikova who deadlifted a 14 kg kettlebell. Kozhevnikova herself is an exercise instructor who has introduced the programme 'intimate gymnastics' (Интимная гимнастика), a physical exercise regimen designed for sexual health.