An Excerpt from Cosmopolition, July 2018.
The Kardashians are known for doling out random health advice based on their own anecdotal evidence instead of actual science. Because no one wants to follow medical advice that doesn’t work — especially when it involves your vagina — Dr. Lauren Streicher, ob-gyn and author of Sex Rx: Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever review their claims:
5. USE BEN WA BALLS TO MAKE YOUR VAGINA TIGHTER THAN EVER.
So Khloé doesn’t actually recommend these bad boys, but she did try them once on KWTK. And while Ben Wa balls (marble-sized balls used to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles) can theoretically be effective at strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, they only work if you squeeze correctly, according to Dr. Streicher, who adds that many women fail to do so. Despite the fact that Ben Wa balls have been been around for centuries, there’s no scientific evidence of their effectiveness. It’s why Dr. Streicher recommends pelvic floor physical therapy or a vetted tool to guide you through therapy on your own, like Pericoach, Elvie, or Apex — but only for who need help holding urine in because of issues holding urine in or discomfort during sex. “The notion that you have to tighten your vagina in the first place is problematic,” she says.
Doctor’s verdict: They’re a cheap fix that’s not guaranteed to work.
6. GET A LASER TREATMENT TO RESTORE YOUR VAGINA AFTER CHILDBIRTH.
On Kocktails With Khloé, Khloé said her sisters swore by this tactic after giving birth. And yes, there is a medical laser called the Mona Lisa Laser that is specifically designed to restore moisture and elasticity to the vagina. But – and there’s a big one — because the laser it’s only designed for women who suffer from vaginal dryness after menopause, chemotherapy, or surgery, the laser only reaches the vaginal lining, not the pelvic floor muscles that contribute to vaginal tightness. So will it tighten the vagina of a normal, healthy woman, you ask? “Absolutely not,” says Dr. Streicher, who has performed three Mona Lisa procedures in one day.
Doctor’s verdict: “The only thing it will do is empty your pocketbook by around $3,000,” Dr. Streicher says.
