Why haven't I heard about PFX before? Why do you call it PFX2? How long will it take to get results? How can I be sure that PFX will help me? Am I too old? What if I do nothing or give up exercising? What are Kegels or Kegel Exercises? Sexual sensation and the pelvic floor. How do I care for PFX and the Sensor? What if I lend my PFX to a friend? Pressure Vs EMG for feedback. Why is it unsafe to use latex for Sensors? Where can I get more information? What are the problems? What is the difference between PFX2, PFX3 and PFXA?

1. Why haven't I heard about PFX before?
	We wish you had! Before PFX, 'Perineometers' (the technical name for PFX), were so costly that only Doctors and Physiotherapists (in the USA, Physical Therapists) could afford them. They are used for assessing the strength of pelvic floor muscles and for providing feedback for pelvic floor exercises. PFX was designed by us in consultation with eminent Australian Doctors and Physiotherapists as a high quality but relatively inexpensive Perineometer for use at home to provide feedback for learning and performing Pelvic Floor Exercises. If you require a Professional Clinical Perineometer please click on the Peritron button.
2. Why do you call it PFX2? What happened to PFX1?
	PFX was the original PFX1 first produced in 1991. Women with strong pelvic floors loved it but those with very weak muscles found it too difficult to make the needle move. Also PFX, like a 'copy-cat' competitor called PMT, could be frustrating to use. When you inserted the sensor the reading became 5 or 6 on the scale. There is no way to bring the reading back to zero. A contraction would make the needle increase to say, 6 or 7. A lot of effort for very little reward. PFX2 is nearly twice as sensitive as PFX and it has a knob so that readings for the contractions start from 'zero' on the scale. With PFX2 you insert the sensor, turn the knob to make the needle go to 'zero' and then do a contraction. A weak contraction will make the needle go from 0 to say, 3. A strong contraction makes the needle travel from 0 to 10. Much more satisfying.
3. How long will it take to get results?
	As soon as you have learned to 'squeeze-lift-and-hold' your pelvic floor you will be able to 'pull-up' prior to coughing and so prevent an accidental leak. Learning this 'knack' will take a week or two. However it is likely to take a month or so of daily exercising before you will be fully back in control. PFX will be really useful for learning how to do the contractions. The increasing PFX readings will show you that your muscle strength is improving and you will feel motivated to keep exercising. The key to success is perseverance. When you are dry again, you will use PFX to confirm your fitness level.
4. How can I be sure that PFX will help me?
	No guarantees, but statistically your chances of being helped are excellent. In particular, the Australian Continence Foundation states that if you have stress incontinence (that is, you leak urine when you cough or laugh) and you complete the exercise program there is an 80% likelihood that you will regain control. Clinical Trials have shown that people who use feedback to help them exercise have a success rate up to 50% higher than those who do not. Ref P.A. Burns, et al 1988 State University of New York at Buffalo, New York, U.S.A. ICS Conference 1988, EFFECTIVENESS OF BIOFEEDBACK THERAPY FOR STRESS INCONTINENT FEMALES
5. Am I too old?
	No, never. Old muscles can be made fit again just like young ones. However the exercise program of a few minutes daily of full-on exercising requires dedication and perseverance which some not-so-young people find difficult to sustain.
6. What if I do nothing about my leaks or give up exercising ...
	Your condition will become worse. It is likely that, eventually you will become one of the 30% of women who are in nursing homes (Australian Statistics) ONLY because of bladder control problems. Lets face it, many people are happy for grandma to move in with them when she finds living alone difficult. It is only when she loses control of her bladder do they feel compelled to look for other accommodation.
7. What are Kegels or Kegel Exercises?
	In the 1950s Dr Arnold Kegel, Professor of Gynaecology University of Southern California School of Medicine recognised that building up pelvic floor muscles by repeated pelvic floor contractions was an effective technique to treat stress incontinence. He noted that a high proportion of women find it difficult to do a voluntary pelvic floor contraction. He thought it would speed their learning if they were able to visualise the effect of their contraction. This lead him to introduce the use of an air-filled vaginal sensor connected to a pressure gauge. This was the first use of a feedback device to help people do pelvic floor exercises. In his words "The procedure may be compared with the effort...to teach wiggling of the ears with the aid of a mirror." In recognition of his discovery and promotion of the usefulness of Pelvic Floor exercises many Americans now call them Kegel Exercises. PFX is a modern version of Kegel's feedback device.
8. Tell me about the connection between the sensation you feel during sex and pelvic floor muscles!
	The vagina passes through the pelvic floor (PF) muscles, a hammock-like sheet of muscles within the pelvis. The vagina crosses the PF muscles sheet about 5 cm or 2 inches inside. You can feel your pelvic floor muscles working - insert a finger and 'squeeze-lift and hold'. (If you cannot feel much happening then your muscles are in poor shape or you need to learn how to do a contraction! You need a PFX!) Women in some cultures, particularly in Asia, are taught how to control the sensation that they and their partners experience during sexual intercourse by flexing their pelvic floor muscles. They learn how to control their vaginal grip. After childbirth, many women experience less sensation during sex as their vagina is no longer tight. As their PF muscles also control the urine flow from their bladder, many experience accidental urine leaks too. In the past this condition was regarded 'normal'. 'Mum used to leak a bit too'. Both these conditions can be fixed by a simple course of pelvic floor exercises. Discovering how to contract your pelvic floor will give you the ability to control your vaginal grip and enable you to 'clamp off' during exertion and so avoid accidental urine leaks. If you perservere with the PF exercises you will build up the bulk of your PF muscles. More muscle bulk has more nerve endings. More nerve endings provide more sensation during sex. Sex can become better than ever - even after menopause. Check out the unsolicited testimonials on this site. Men who have learned to flex their pelvic floors have increased control over the point of ejaculation. So everyone can benefit from a fit pelvic floor. We are continually gratified by the feedback we receive from PFX users. When a total stranger phones to say 'I have to tell someone that I had my first orgasm in ten years- thanks so much for your great little PFX', we feel that we must be doing something useful. We look forward to hearing from you too!
9. How do I care for PFX and the Sensor?
	PFX requires no attention whatsoever. There are no batteries. Single User Sensors Immediately after use the sensor should be washed in warm soapy water, rinsed, wiped dry and returned to the carry case. Treated in this way it will last for many years. This is covered in the Handbook supplied with PFX and Peritron. Step Vaginal and Anal Sensor Remark FIRSTLY Any lubricant should be washed IMMEDIATELY after use. It should be washed in a pH neutral bactericide or protelytic cleaner and rinsed. If the sheath of the sensor loses its tension ie goes 'floppy', it means that lubricant has been allowed to soak in. The sensor must be replaced. The sheath is micro-porous. Whereas this is beneficial as it allows any water trapped inside to evaporate out through the walls, it also means that, over time, lubricants may soak in. SECONDLY With tube connected, wash the Sensor with hand soap and water, then rinse and dry. Disconnect tube Some prefer to wash Anal Sensors with a pH neutral proteolytic enzyme cleaner If water enters the sensor, shake it out and leave it in an airy place to dry out. Any water still inside will evaporate through the micro- porous sheath. Anal Sensor DO NOT USE sodium hypochlorite or solutions of < pH6.5 or >7.5 as they will damage the internal components. DO NOT expose the sensor to strong detergents, alcohol, iodine/providene or phenyl-based disinfectants   In summary, suitability of various cleaning agents are as follows: Hand soap and water Boiling water Vaginal Sensor YES 10 min max Anal Sensor YES YES Connecting Tubes YES NO Sensor Collar YES 5 min max
10. What if I lend my PFX to a friend?
	Don't. When is the last time you lent someone your tooth brush? If she will not purchase her own PFX then she should at least purchase her own sensor cat 2005 and a connecting tube cat 2021. Single user sensors need only be washed in soap and water. Please refer to the question 'Care of Sensors' above.
11. Q Pressure vs EMG for feedback.
	There is a debate whether EMG (Electrical Myography) or Pressure (as per PFX and Peritron) is the better technique for providing feedback for Pelvic Floor Exercises. EMG measures the electrical activity at the nerve endings. The assumption is that more activity means a stronger muscle contraction. Pressure Feedback measures the actual force generated by the Muscle Contraction.   For Against EMG Feedback Readings not affected by the activity of 'other muscles' Expensive Reading only infers muscle activity - it is not a direct measurement of muscle strength. Prone to electrical interference from Eg fluorescent lights Pressure Feedback Eg PFX, Peritron Inexpensive Easy to use Excellent for 'body aware' users False readings are possible caused by the user contracting the wrong muscles. For example, if the user 'bears down' instead of 'pulling up' the PFX/Peritron reading will not be a true measure of pelvic floor strength. Some Clinical Instruments provide both EMG and Pressure Measurement.
12. Why is it unsafe to use latex for Sensors?
	The contact surfaces of our sensors are precision mouldings of highly biocompatible, relatively costly, medical-grade silicone elastomer. Some manufacturers use latex for their sensors because it is inexpensive and does not require costly moulding tools. The downside is that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now requires latex products to carry a warning of possible allergenic reactions. From 30 September 1998 products in the USA that contain Latex must be labeled as such. FDA is also requiring that all 'hypo-allergenic' (low allergy) claims on medical devices that contain latex be removed because of the potential to mislead people who are sensitive to latex. Over the past decade FDA have received more than 1,700 reports of severe allergic reactions including 16 deaths related to medical devices containing Latex. If you require further information please contact Centre for Devices and Radiological Health (HFZ-31) Food and Drug Administration, 560 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857, USA
13. Where can I get more information?
	We recommend that anyone who is proposing to purchase PFX and is not already receiving advice from a Health Professional skilled in the understanding and teaching of pelvic floor exercises should acquire the following inexpensive references which are available from us: Women's Waterworks by well known Physiotherapist, Pauline Chiarelli informally but comprehensively describes the pelvic floor, pelvic floor related problems and how to fix them.
14. What are the problems?
	Do a few exercises and eureka, no more accidental leaks and better sex! Sounds too good to be true? We all know that things that are worthwhile are seldom so easy or so simple. Potential Problem 1 - Learning to perform a contraction Clinical trials have shown that around 40% of women find it really difficult to do a 'pull-up' pelvic floor contraction. Instead of 'pulling-up' many women 'bear down', as if delivering a child. This is the opposite to what they are trying to achieve. Feedback from PFX is really good for helping them discover how to 'pull-up'. Those who need additional assistance or advice should contact a Physiotherapist who specialises in Pelvic Floors. The local Physiotherapy association or Doctor should be able to make a recommendation. Once they have developed the basic skills, PFX will be a great help for providing motivation and keeping score of the increasing performance. Potential problem 2 - Perserverence is the key to success Before feedback, doing Pelvic Floor exercises were so boring that many gave up. And their condition became worse. Even with feedback from PFX to provide motivation, it is still an effort for many people to do sufficient exercising to strengthen their PF Muscles. It is important to remember that muscles only grow stronger when they are recovering from exertion. Even though many women report dramatic improvements after a week or two of exercising, most will take at least one month of daily workouts before seeing a significant change.
15. What is the difference between PFX2, PFX3 and PFXA?
	PFX2 and PFX3 are the same. Readout units and vaginal sensors are interchangable. The PFX2 packaging and Handbook are for those who want to revitalise their pelvic floors to improve bladder control. The PFX3 packaging has information for those who want to increase sensation and control during sexual intercourse. Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST) There is no GST applied to any products shipped overseas. There is no GST on Peritron or PFX2 purchased within Australia as, in Australia, they are classified as Incontinence aids. However, PFX3 purchased in Australia attracts a 10% GST as it is classified as an Exercise device. PFXA The PFXA Readout unit has been matched to the pressures generated by the anal sensor. Anal pressures are much higher than vaginal pressures. Thus anal sensors must be used with PFXA and vaginal sensors must be used with PFX2 and PFX3.

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