Hi there everyone!

I have a question about Kegels and AFs and hemorrhoids.

But first, a little background: I had an acute AF that finally seems to be healed, according to the CRS I saw today. After I told her that I felt a slightly bulging vein whenever I'm sitting in my sitz bath on the toilet, she investigated and found a small bump that isn't visible from the outside.

My goals now are: (a) to get off Colace gradually by experimenting more with hydration and fiber to get and keep my stools soft without it...but needless to say I'm scared to experiment for fear of a new fissure; (b) to prevent what appears to be an external hemorrhoid from getting worse and becoming more than just mildly achy now and then; (c) to prevent AFs in the future.

I'm wondering if Kegels can help me with (b) and (c). I've read threads in the forum where people share some of their perspectives on Kegels for pelvic pain, but I haven't found any sustained discussion of whether Kegels are beneficial for things like (b) and (c).

Does anyone have any advice or personal experience to share in this regard?

Has anyone come across any empirical evidence (like a research study) that supports claims about the benefit or harm of Kegels for AF prevention and hemorrhoid management

Wishing you all healing

RumBum....awesome news that you are healed....I totally understand your quest for a methodology that will keep you healthy and avoid this again. I wish I had an answer for you...just wanted to let you know I think your method of investigating this is great and I look forward to learning what you find.

As for getting off colace -- it is scary to say goodbye to an old friend. My advice would be to go super slow...introduce various fruits and veg and see if they help at all...I find citrus, pears and oils are helpful...I think we are all different and all our guts are different so it will take experimentation and lots of patience.

Best - CB

Thanks CB!

I'll definitely share if I find any good information. My Google scholar search for empirically studies didn't yield much. The only fairly consistent claim I saw regarding benefits of kegels for anorectal issues was for fecal incontinence.

I asked the specialist about them when I had the visit I described above. She said not to do kegels because it's clenching and the idea is to unclench as much as possible. I came away from that appointment thinking she may be oversimplifying or wasn't knowledgeable about the issue.

Thank you for the advice on weaning off of Colace. I'm taking it. So far I've done a week where I alternated 150mg and 100mg every night. Now, during week 2, I'm taking 100mg every night. Next I'll alternate 100mg and 50mg, then 50mg every night, then 50mg every other night, then none, if all goes well. If it doesn't go well I find some comfort in knowing that there are much harsher meds and supplements to need to take long term or even for my remaining days!

Take care, and thanks again!

Just to add my two cents, my pelvic physical therapist said to not do kegels because we need the muscles down there to remain loose, not tighten them up. I think she's right in my case at least. I'm a secret butt clencher and have become much more mindful about staying relaxed in that area.