Femcon^®

Involuntary urinary leakage, a vital problem of many women who have given birth. Femcon vaginal cones have been found to strengthen the pelvic floor and improve urinary incontinence!

User Instructions

Description
Femcon vaginal cones consist of a set of five reusable, tampon-like,
non-sterile cones of identical size and shape but increasing weight,
with numbers 1 to 5 on the rounded end of each weight. When inserted into
the vagina, the appropriate weight will necessitate the pelvic floor muscles
to contract around the cone in order to retain it.

Kegel exercises (contracting the pelvic floor muscles) have been found to strengthen the pelvic floor and improve urinary continence.

Indication
Femcon vaginal cones are designed for use as an adjunct to Kegel exercises.

Patients who actively participate in Kegel exercise programs have been found to regain pelvic floor strength after child bearing and/or pelvic surgery, correct urinary leakage and/or reduce the unpleasant sensation of urgency in the bladder. Femcon vaginal cones were designed as a training aid to Kegel exercises to assist women in identifying and exercising their appropriate muscle groups responsible for maintaining continence.

Contraindication
Do not use Femcon vaginal cones during the 6-week post-partum period or for a minimum of 6 weeks after genitourinary or pelvic surgery unless specifically recommended by your physician. After the 6 week period has passed, check with your doctor before beginning to use the cones.

Prior to Application
Wash your hands prior to selecting the weight. Wash the weight in soap and water, rinse thoroughly with water, and dry.

Inspect each weight thoroughly to ensure a clean, smooth surface prior to use/reuse.

Application
1. Select Weight #1, the lightest cone of the set.
2. If desired, moisten the cone with water or a vaginal lubricant to ease application.
3. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat. Insert the weight into vagina with the rounded end upward, keeping your middle finger on the tip of the weight where the cord is attached. Contract (tighten) your pelvic floor muscles. You should feel the weight moving upward away from your finger tip. If you find you "push" the weight out instead of "pulling" it up you are probably using abdominal muscles and not the pelvic floor muscles. The cone should be inserted high enough to ensure that it is above the pelvic floor muscles.
You should be aware of the weight; if not, check that it is not lop-sided or hanging from the vagina. Wear an undergarment to minimize the risk of the weight falling on a hard surface.
4. When the cone is positioned correctly, walk around for one minute. If the cone stays in place easily, remove cone #1 and insert cone #2. Continue to try a cone of increasing weight (higher number) until you find the one that does not remain in position in the vagina. The heaviest weight that can be held in place for one minute should be used.
5. Use the weight for 15 minutes, twice a day. If the cone slips out, re-insert it into the vagina. When you are able to hold the weight in place for a minimum of 15 minutes, the next heaviest cone should be used.

It is normal to feel some discomfort or pain in the pelvic region when first beginning exercise with a weight or when graduating to a heavier cone. This discomfort or pain may be attributed to muscle strain and should subside with continued use. If discomfort persists, or if severe pain occurs, discontinue use and consult your physician.

Removal
1. Assume a semi-squatting position or stand with one foot on a chair.
2. Grasp the removal cord which is protruding from the vaginal opening.
3. Relax and slowly pull on the cord to remove the weight.

Note: If you cannot feel the removal cord at the vaginal opening, the cone may be removed by placing one or two fingers into the vagina to grasp and remove the weight.

Care of Weights - Important
1. After use, rinse the cone with soap and water, dry thoroughly, and store in the plastic container provided, keeping the cover on. DO NOT STERILIZE OR AUTOCLAVE WEIGHTS.
2. Regular use is essential, daily use of the cones for a minimum of three months is recommended. After three months, the cones may be used a few days a week, rather than on a daily basis.
3. If you have any problems using the Femcon vaginal cones, contact your physician.
4. Pelvic floor muscle strength varies from person to person. It is not necessary for every user to use the heaviest cone (#5) in order to enhance Kegel exercises.

Literature
1. Deindl, F.M., Schuessler, B., Vodusek, D.B. and Hesse, U., Neurophysiologic Effect of Vaginal Cone Application in Continent and Urinary Stress Incontinent Women, Int. Urogynecol J, 6: 204 - 208, 1995
2. Fischer, W., Baessler, K., Linde, A., Use of vaginal cones for pelvic floor conditioning of postpartum women and for treatment of urinary incontnence, Zentralbl Gynakol 118: 18 - 28, 1996
3. Voigt, R., Halaska, M., Wilke, I. Eisenwinder, B., Martan, A., Voigt., P. and Michels, W., Urogynaecological Examinations Before and After Conservative Treatment of Stress Incontinence Using Vaginal Cones (Femcon), Geburtsh. u. Frauenheilk. 54: 390 - 393, 1994