Comparison of the 3 best devices for strengthening the perineum

The perineum is a set of muscles, ligaments and fascia that extends in a hammock shape from the pubis to the coccyx and surrounds the vagina, bladder and sphincter. Its tone guarantees good health: it is essential to ensure the maintenance of organs in the body, but also for urinary and fecal continence and sexual pleasure. In women (men also have a perineum), the tone of the perineum is often weakened by pregnancy, childbirth and menopause. This is why many young mothers are prescribed perineal rehabilitation sessions. In addition to these sessions with a health professional, it is interesting to practice exercises at home to strengthen the perineum. Several devices exist: biofeedback probes, electrical simulators and vaginal cones. Today's article is a comparison of the best devices to strengthen the perineum to help you make your choice.

Biofeedback probes

Biofeedback is one of the three methods used by health professionals in pelvic floor rehabilitation . Are you wondering how to rehabilitate a perineum with biofeedback ? The general principle of biofeedback is that of perceptible reinforcement, that is to say, allowing your brain to visualize and understand the action carried out by your body in real time so as to allow it to reproduce it.

As part of perineal rehabilitation, this is achieved with a probe inserted into the vagina or anus which is connected to a screen to provide real-time feedback on perineal contractions. Contractions are detected by sensors present on the probe. Biofeedback probes are therefore elongated probes connected to applications or screens.

The advantages of biofeedback probes

The advantages of biofeedback probes to strengthen the perineum are:

• Autonomy: once a few sessions have been completed with a healthcare professional to understand the movements and expected feedback, it is possible to rehabilitate entirely at home.
• Flexibility of schedule and absence of medical appointments: you can rehabilitate largely alone, at home.
• Easy to use: simply insert the probe and follow the exercises offered by the application delivered with the probe.
• Modular exercises of different durations: you can adapt your exercises to the duration you have available in order to build muscle in the time you have available.
• Hygiene: the probes are easy to clean. Clean the probe after each use using a neutral pH intimate soap for example, rinse and dry before storing your probe.
• Non-manual method: You do not need to insert your fingers into your vagina to use this device.
• Perceptible reinforcement method: you are active in your rehabilitation. Since you are the one managing your contractions, you can stop whenever you want. This is particularly interesting if your childbirth was traumatic and you have physical after-effects, particularly in the vagina.
• Effective method: biofeedback probes are more effective than probes that use electrostimulation according to scientific publications . After childbirth, you generally have to follow a 4-month program to regain your perineal tone.

The limits of biofeedback probes

The limitations of biofeedback probes are:

• New: biofeedback in home perineal probes is still a recent method and most of the probes sold on the market have not been the subject of a clinical trial to validate their effectiveness. You can also ask the opinion of your accompanying doctor: he will be able to give you his opinion on the probe identified.
• Active method: unlike the electrical stimulation method which we will see shortly after, the biofeedback method requires you to be active in your rehabilitation and therefore concentrated and invested. If you want a “no hassle” method, the electrostimulation method may be more interesting for you.
• Six weeks after childbirth: it is recommended to wait six weeks on average after childbirth before embarking on perineal rehabilitation with a biofeedback probe.

What to look out for when buying a biofeedback probe?

When purchasing and choosing your biofeedback probe, you should especially pay attention to three particular points for your health and safety:

• Follow-up by a professional: like any tool with a medical purpose, we recommend that you be followed by a professional before using it. Supervision is essential.
• Medical guarantee of the selected device: is it validated by clinical trials? And the associated application?
• Origin and quality of the probe materials: we recommend that you go for medical silicone. It is softer, cleaner and easier to clean.

Even more, do not hesitate to seek the advice of your health practitioner (physiotherapist or midwife) when selecting your biofeedback probe.

The Gapianne selection

On our e-shop, we have selected the biofeedback reinforcement probe from Perifit. Beyond the device itself which we appreciate (for its shape, for its color), our customers loved the fun exercises offered by the application associated with the rehabilitation device. The device has been validated by clinical trials.

I want the probe

You can use it with a water-based lubricant (oil can damage medical silicone devices) and clean it with a pH-neutral intimate soap .

🚀 Do you need to move up a gear when it comes to strengthening your perineum? The Perifit + probe has the same advantages as the previous probe and adds the ability to be used standing for more intense strengthening sessions. It is especially recommended if you practice an impact sport and need a very toned perineum !

Also read: Tonic vs. hypertonic perineum? What differences? >

Electrical stimulators

Electrostimulation is another method used by health professionals specializing in pelvic floor rehabilitation, most often in parallel with the biofeedback method. The principle of electrostimulation consists of stimulating the muscles using light electrical currents sent through the tissues.

As part of perineal rehabilitation, the use of an electrostimulation probe, or electrical stimulators, consists of inserting the probe into one's vagina or anus and activating the stimulation program. The latter can most often be managed through a telephone application.

The advantages of electrical stimulators

Why choose an electrical stimulator to strengthen your perineum? The advantages of this tool are:

• Autonomy: perineal rehabilitation can mostly be done in the comfort of home thanks to the use of an electrical stimulator. As with biofeedback probes, supervision by professionals remains necessary to guide patients, verify the use of the devices and adjust stimulation programs according to the evolution and specific needs of each individual.
• Flexibility of schedule and absence of medical appointments: you can rehabilitate largely alone, at home.
• Ease of use: simply insert the probe and follow the programs suggested by your healthcare professional and/or by the application delivered with the probe.
• Hygiene: the probes that accompany electrical stimulators and are inserted into the vagina or anus are generally made of silicone, and are therefore easy to clean. Our recommendation: clean the probe after each use using a neutral pH intimate soap for example, rinse and dry before storing your probe.
• Non-manual method: You do not need to insert your fingers into your vagina to use this device.
• Method without active participation: the advantage (which may be seen by some people as a disadvantage, we will talk about it later) is that this method does not require you to be active. It's the electrodes that work–not you.

The limits of electrical stimulators

The limits of electrical stimulators are:

• Requires letting go: electrical stimulation requires agreeing to let go because you are only partly responsible for the electrostimulation device: if you can manage the intensity of the electrical stimulations, you may be afraid of having pain in putting the stimulations too strong.
• Method that can cause pain: although you can stop stimulation whenever you want, you are not in total control of electrical stimulation. If you have physical after-effects and injuries, or if you put the stimulation at too strong a pace, you may feel pain.
• Possible medical contraindication: Electrical stimulators may be contraindicated for people with pacemakers, pregnant women, patients with undiagnosed pain, and people with epilepsy. It is strongly recommended to seek medical advice before purchasing a device.
• Specialization of the tool: it is not possible to perform perineal electrostimulation with any electrical stimulation device. Perineal electrostimulators are designed specifically to transmit a STIM-type current adapted to the perineal muscles. The current intensity and modulation are very different from other devices. By using other devices, not only do you risk problems related to hygiene but also the strength of the current – ​​you risk injury.
• Fixed exercises: unlike the biofeedback probe, electrical stimulators offer you fixed contraction programs, the duration of which can be 20 to 60 minutes. This makes it more difficult to manage your time and exercises the way you want.
• Single position: The only position recommended with a perineal electrostimulator is the lying position. The devices are often connected by a wire to a control box, which greatly restricts movement.
• Six weeks after childbirth, or even more: it is recommended to wait at least six weeks after childbirth before embarking on perineal rehabilitation with an electrical stimulator. Due to perineal injuries linked to childbirth, the method may not be recommended by professionals: ask your doctor for advice. The biofeedback method is more often recommended in this case.
• Less effective method: electrical stimulation probes are less effective than biofeedback probes according to scientific publications . The effects of perineal electrostimulation are felt after 2 to 4 weeks of use. However, following a 12-week program is necessary to feel the effects.

Points of attention when purchasing an electrical stimulator

Are you considering investing in an electrical stimulator? Here are the final points you need to pay attention to.

• Monitored by a professional: the perineal rehabilitation program using electrostimulation must be designed by a professional according to your problems and your objectives. Supervision is essential.
• Adaptation of the device to the perineal area: is it validated by clinical trials to strengthen the perineum?
• Origin and quality of the probe materials: we recommend that you choose medical silicone perineal probes. It is softer, cleaner and easier to clean.
• Shape of the probe: the shape of the probe is essential since it is this which makes the contact of the latter with your perineum. Do not hesitate to seek advice from your healthcare practitioner.

Gapianne's opinion

In our opinion, the electrical stimulator is a good tool to allow women who have recently given birth to locate their perineum and feel its contraction. In this sense, it is an interesting tool at the start of professional care but we do not think that it is the best tool for perineal rehabilitation in the long term. We prefer biofeedback probes , which is why we do not currently have an electrostimulation probe in our catalog. However, we remain on the lookout for new products: do not hesitate to contact us if you have a favorite brand to bring to our attention!

Vaginal cones

A vaginal cone, also called a vaginal weight or perineal beads , is an object whose shape has been designed to fit into the vagina and to weigh on it. It is usually egg-shaped and has a cord so it can easily be removed. The goal ? Insert the cone into your vagina and try to hold it for longer and longer (usually 10 to 15 minutes).

This method of pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation exercise has existed since the early 1990s and uses the body's biofeedback mechanism. The latter occurs when the pelvic muscles used when the cone is inserted into the vagina reflexively contract around the cone to retain it. When the perineum is poorly muscled (particularly after pregnancy and childbirth), this passive contraction may not be enough and a passive contraction may be necessary.

The benefits of vaginal cones

Vaginal cones are particularly interesting to help you strengthen your perineum on a daily basis.

• Autonomy: this device can be used with great autonomy. However, we recommend, as with any method having a medical objective and linked to your health, to seek advice from a professional (treating doctor, midwife or physiotherapist) to check the duration of use and the real need to strengthen your perineum.
• Flexibility of schedule and absence of medical appointments: you can rehabilitate yourself largely on your own. Even more, this device can be used outside your home.
• Ease of use: simply insert the device into your vagina and wear it for the required time.
• Hygiene: vaginal cones are easy to clean. Clean your cone after each use using a pH-neutral intimate soap for example, rinse and dry it. Our recommendation: get a pouch to easily store it if you need to remove it while you're not at home.
• Fully mechanical method: unlike the two previous methods, this method only works through weight and gravity. No electrical devices are contained within the vaginal cone.
• Effective method: the vaginal cone is a method judged and tested to be effective. A month of daily exercises (around ten minutes once or twice a day) can be enough to strengthen the perineum. A 1988 study showed that out of 30 women who followed these tests, 70% saw their situation improved and felt cared for.
• Pain-free method: you are in complete control of the weights you insert. If a weight is too heavy and/or too large for what your perineum can accommodate, simply remove it.
• Age of the method: the method has existed since the 1990s and has proven its effectiveness ever since. This allows you to have a perspective on the method as well as a good vision of the players in the sector.
• Cost: the advantage of this device is that it is the least expensive of those offered in this list.

The limits of the vaginal cones

No method is perfect. Here are the limits of the vaginal cones:

• Manual method: this device requires you to insert it into your vagina and this manipulation requires sliding your fingers inside. If you are reluctant to do this for whatever reason, you will likely have difficulty using this method.
• Not very fun: Unlike perineal biofeedback probes and the games offered to use them, vaginal cones are not fun: you insert them, you retain them. This may seem boring to you.
• Six weeks after delivery: like all muscle strengthening devices, it will be necessary to wait approximately six weeks postpartum to use them. Ask the opinion of the person who follows you.
• Difficult at the start: if your perineum has been completely distended by pregnancy and childbirth, this device may prove difficult to use at the very beginning of your rehabilitation for a very specific reason: difficult to contract your muscles when you don't know where they are! A professional will be able to help you.

Points of attention when purchasing a vaginal cone

If you opt for the vaginal cone, here are the final points you need to pay attention to.

• Follow-up by a professional: we are repeating ourselves but like the devices mentioned above, we can only recommend that you be accompanied by a health professional beforehand. He will advise you on exercises and uses.
• Origin and quality of materials: medical silicone is the preferred material for your vaginal cones. It is softer, cleaner and easier to clean.
• Cone shape: there are round or elongated cones, shaped like rugby balls. It all depends on your feelings, we don't have a specific recommendation on this subject.
• Cone Weight: In order to increase difficulty exercises, you can opt to lengthen the duration of the exercise (retain the cone longer in your vagina) OR change the weight of the cones. Taking several cones of several weights will be interesting to increase the difficulty of the exercises.

The Gapianne selection

On our e-shop, we have selected for you the box of 5 perineal rehabilitation pearls from Liebe. On the one hand, the object is beautiful: it is a golden rod on which you can attach 5 beads in sea green hues. On the other hand, it is practical: the beads are interchangeable and of different weights to vary the difficulty of the exercises. Finally, it has been validated by clinical trials and it is made of medical silicone.

I want the perineal pearls

You can use it with a water-based lubricant (oil can damage medical silicone devices) and clean it with a pH-neutral intimate soap .

Also read: 4 easy exercises to re-educate your perineum >

Comparison of the 3 best devices for strengthening the perineum

Find below a summary of our comparison of the 3 devices to re-educate your perineum.

	Probes biofeedback	Electrical stimulators	Cones vaginal
Medical monitoring	Necessary initially Necessary at the end	Necessary end-to-end of the program	Necessary initially Necessary at the end
Efficiency / Speed	1 month for improvement, 3 months for consolidation	1 month for improvement, 3 months for consolidation	1 month for improvement, 3 months for consolidation
Ease of use	Easy	Program designed by a professional.	Easy
Playful	+++	+	+
Comfort	No pain.	Possible discomfort and pain.	Manual insertion required. No pain.
Security and certification	++ Choose a certified device in agreement with your doctor	++ Choose a certified device in agreement with your doctor	+++
Price	+	+	+++

The best device to strengthen the perineum: Gapianne's opinion

To conclude, our preference in terms of perineal rehabilitation is biofeedback probes and vaginal cones. The former are more fun while the latter are less expensive for equivalent results with regular use. We have selected for you in our shop our two favorites in these categories: the biofeedback reinforcement probe from Perifit and the box of 5 perineal rehabilitation pearls from Liebe. Regarding electrostimulation devices, we think that they are interesting as support at the start of rehabilitation, particularly for use with professionals, but we have not yet found a particularly interesting device to offer you.