Kegel balls: what are they for and how do you use them?

Everything you need to know to get started with confidence.

By Léa Müller · 11 October 2026 · 11 min read

Kegel balls, also called geisha balls, make people curious. You hear about them from a friend, a midwife or in an article. Then the questions come: what are they for? How do you put them in? How long should you keep them in? Are they safe?

This guide answers those questions without jargon. You will also find the situations where it is best to ask a health professional first.

🔎 Contents

1. What are Kegel balls?
2. What do Kegel balls do?
3. How do you choose your first Kegel balls?
4. How do you insert Kegel balls, step by step?
5. How long should you wear Kegel balls?
6. After giving birth: when and how to start?
7. When is it best to avoid them?
8. How do you clean and store Kegel balls?
9. What about with a partner?
10. Kegel balls FAQ

What are Kegel balls?

Kegel balls are small spheres, either single or joined in pairs, that you insert into the vagina. They are weighted: some contain a moving ball inside, others have a fixed weight. A removal cord lets you take them out easily.

Today they are mostly made of medical-grade silicone, a non-porous material that is easy to clean. They come in several sizes and weights, often sold as a progressive set.

They are also known as "geisha balls" or "Ben Wa balls". The name "Kegel balls" refers to the American gynaecologist Arnold Kegel, known for the pelvic floor contraction exercises that bear his name.

💬 Kegel balls are not a gadget: first and foremost, they are a tool for getting to know your body.

What do Kegel balls do?

Kegel balls are used above all to train the pelvic floor. When you are standing or moving, their weight tends to pull them downwards. Your muscles respond with small contractions, often without you even thinking about it.

The pelvic floor in a nutshell

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that closes the bottom of the pelvis, like a hammock. It supports the bladder, the uterus and the rectum. It plays a role in continence, meaning the ability to hold in urine, and in intimate sensations.

Pregnancy, childbirth, the menopause, some high-impact sports or simply age can weaken it. Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) point out that after a birth, the pelvic floor has gone through major changes (HUG, 'Taking care of your perineum', in French).

What you can expect

• Becoming aware of your pelvic floor. Feeling where these muscles are is the first step, and it is not obvious for everyone.
• Training it, alongside classic contraction exercises.
• Feeling your body more during intimacy. Some people describe this; the effect varies a lot from one person to another. To understand what is going on, you can also read our article on orgasm.

What the studies say

Research has mainly looked at "weighted vaginal cones", close cousins of Kegel balls. An international Cochrane review brought together 23 trials involving 1,806 women with stress urinary incontinence, meaning leaks when coughing, laughing or exercising (Herbison & Dean, Cochrane, 2013).

Its conclusions are cautious. The cones seem to work better than no treatment, and perhaps as well as supervised pelvic floor exercises. But the trials were small and the evidence was judged weak. These results do not carry over as they are to Kegel balls, which have been little studied in their own right. Put simply: they are an option worth trying, not a guarantee.

How do you choose your first Kegel balls?

To get started, choose a light model in medical-grade silicone with a sturdy removal cord. With a set of progressive weights, you start light and move up at your own pace.

Criterion	For beginners
Material	Medical-grade, phthalate-free silicone
Weight	The lightest in the set
Format	A single ball
Cord	Flexible and securely attached

Why start light? A ball that is too heavy slips out and puts you off. A light ball that you can hold easily teaches you where your muscles are. Move up to the next weight when you can keep it in for 15 minutes while walking, without it slipping and without thinking about it.

Why medical-grade silicone? It is a non-porous material: it holds on to far fewer bacteria and is easy to wash. Avoid cheap materials whose composition is unknown.

How do you insert Kegel balls, step by step?

Putting in Kegel balls is simple, a bit like a tampon. Take your time the first time, at a quiet moment.

1. Wash your hands and clean the balls with lukewarm water and a mild soap or a suitable cleaner.
2. Apply a little water-based lubricant to the ball. Avoid silicone-based lubricants, which can damage silicone toys.
3. Get comfortable: lying on your back with your knees bent, or standing with one foot on the edge of the bath.
4. Insert the ball gently as you breathe out, until it is no longer visible. The cord stays outside.
5. Stand up and walk around a little. You should feel a slight presence, never pain.
6. To remove it, relax and pull gently on the cord, without jerking. If needed, push slightly, as you would to remove a tampon.

If the ball slips as soon as you stand up, the weight is often too heavy for now. Go back to the lighter model.

How long should you wear Kegel balls?

Start with 10 to 15 minutes while you do something calm: tidying up, cooking, walking around the flat. Then increase the time over the days, as you feel comfortable.

A few pointers to keep things relaxed:

• Regularity matters more than duration. Short, frequent sessions are better than a long session now and then.
• Never sleep with them in. At night your muscles are at rest and the exercise no longer makes sense.
• Avoid intense exercise with Kegel balls, at least while you are a beginner.
• Listen to your body. Tiredness, discomfort or pain: take them out and have a break.

If you are seeing a midwife or physiotherapist, their advice on duration and frequency comes first.

After giving birth: when and how to start?

After giving birth, do not start with Kegel balls. Start with an assessment and, if needed, supervised pelvic floor rehabilitation.

According to the HUG, this rehabilitation usually takes place two or three months after the birth, with a specialised midwife or physiotherapist. It takes six to nine 30-minute sessions (HUG, 'Pelvic floor rehabilitation after childbirth', in French).

In Switzerland, it is covered by basic health insurance (LAMal). Your deductible (franchise) and the 10% co-payment apply. Postnatal pelvic and abdominal exercise classes, on the other hand, are at your own expense (same source). Check the exact conditions with your health insurer.

Kegel balls can then take over at home, with the agreement of your health professional. The right time depends on your birth, how you have healed and your assessment.

💬 After a birth, your pelvic floor needs listening to first, not performance.

When is it best to avoid them?

In some situations, it is best to ask a doctor, midwife or physiotherapist first:

• During pregnancy, especially if you have contractions, pelvic pain or a short cervix.
• Just after giving birth, before your postnatal check.
• If you have a vaginal or urinary infection, until it has cleared up.
• If you have pain during sex (dyspareunia) or vaginismus. A professional can suggest other support, for example with vaginal dilators.
• If your pelvic floor is too tight (known as hypertonia). The aim is then to learn to relax, not to strengthen.
• If you have pelvic organ prolapse or a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen.
• If you have a coil (IUD) and feel discomfort: ask your gynaecologist for advice.

These precautions are to be discussed with your health professional: this is not a complete medical list. In any case, if you feel pain, take the balls out and see a professional.

How do you clean and store Kegel balls?

Clean your balls before and after each use, with lukewarm water and a mild, unscented soap, or with an intimate toy cleaner. Rinse well, then leave them to air-dry.

Then store them in their pouch, away from dust and separate from your other toys. Some materials react with each other on contact. Check the condition of the silicone and the cord from time to time: at the slightest defect, replace them.

Kegel balls are personal. If you do share them, wash them between each person.

What about with a partner?

Kegel balls are first of all a personal tool. But they can also become a little secret between the two of you, if you both want that.

Some people wear them for a while before an intimate moment together, to feel their body more. Others simply tell their partner about them, as part of looking after their wellbeing. There is no right way to do it: only the one that feels comfortable for you.

Always remove the balls before any penetration. And as with anything new you try together, everything rests on communication and on each person's consent. Need help bringing up the subject? Read our article on how to talk about your desires with your partner.

Want to try?

If you would like to get started, our Lola – Kegel Balls set brings together five progressive weights, from 30 g to 130 g, in medical-grade silicone. It is shipped from Switzerland in discreet packaging. For insertion, a water-based lubricant is all you need. Any questions before choosing? Write to us.

Kegel balls FAQ

Do Kegel balls have side effects?

Used correctly, they should not hurt. A slight feeling of presence is normal. Discomfort, irritation or tiredness in the lower abdomen can appear if sessions are too long or the weight too heavy: have a break. If you feel pain, take them out and talk to a health professional.

Can you wear Kegel balls all day?

It is not recommended. Short, regular sessions are more useful.

Can you sleep with Kegel balls in?

No. At night your muscles are at rest and the exercise no longer serves any purpose. Take them out before going to bed.

Can you use Kegel balls on your period?

It is better to wait until your period is over, for comfort and hygiene reasons. If you do use them, wash them with lukewarm water and a mild soap straight afterwards.

Can you exercise with Kegel balls?

It is best to avoid it. Jumping and intense effort push the balls downwards and can tire the pelvic floor. To go further, ask your midwife or physiotherapist for advice.

Kegel balls vs Kegel exercises: which is better?

The two complement each other. Voluntary contraction exercises can be done anywhere, without any equipment. The balls add a concrete point of reference and a reflex contraction while you move.

How long do Kegel balls take to work?

There is no universal timeframe. It depends on your starting point, how regularly you use them and the support you have. If you are doing rehabilitation, your midwife or physiotherapist will give you pointers suited to you.

Can Kegel balls get stuck?

It is uncommon with a model that has a sturdy cord. Relax, breathe, then push gently as you would to remove a tampon, in a squatting position. If you cannot manage it, see a doctor without delay and without embarrassment: it is a situation that healthcare staff are familiar with.

Article written by Léa Müller for Solena, a Swiss intimate wellbeing shop, based on the sources listed below. Find out more about Solena.

Sources

• Herbison G. P., Dean N., 'Weighted vaginal cones for urinary incontinence', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2013, CD002114: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7086390
• Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), 'La rééducation du périnée après l'accouchement' (Pelvic floor rehabilitation after childbirth, in French): hug.ch, pelvic floor rehabilitation
• Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), 'Prendre soin de votre périnée' (Taking care of your perineum, in French): hug.ch, taking care of your perineum