New York Times Examines 'Pelvic Fitness' Services Offered By Clinic, Criticism From Physicians

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Urology / Nephrology;  Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 08 Jul 2008 - 8:00 PDT

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The New York Times on Thursday profiled a "gyno spa" in New York City that addresses "pelvic fitness," which, according to the Times, is not a medical term. The spa markets its services as a means of improving bladder control and sexual satisfaction. The spa -- operated by Lauri Romanzia, a gynecologist who performs pelvic reconstructive surgery -- offers gynecological examinations for $150, during which she assesses the strength of women's pelvic muscles and prescribes exercises, known as Kegels, which are believed to improve bladder control. Romanzi's clients also can use an in-office electrostimulation machine to improve pelvic muscle tone or buy a device for home use.

The Times reports that there is "medical evidence that Kegel exercises can improve mild bladder control problems," but "some doctors dismissed the exercises' value as preventative medicine or as a sexual aid." Erin Tracy -- a gynecologist and an assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School -- said there is no evidence that women who start doing pelvic exercises early in life will decrease their risk of bladder problems later in life. Tracy also warned against other pelvic fitness procedures, such as laser and radio frequency treatments, because they have not been properly tested for efficacy and safety.

Abbey Berenson, a gynecologist who directs the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's Health at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston noted that "The common practice of gynecology is we treat where there is a problem." She added, "It'll be interesting to see if there are people who actually request these services." According to the Times, the "advent of the pelvic spa ... takes body fixation to a new level, furthering the idea that there is no female body part that cannot be tightened, plumped trimmed or pruned" (Singer, New York Times, 7/3).

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