Kegel eggs, often marketed as “yoni eggs,” are egg-shaped weights designed to be inserted vaginally to strengthen the pelvic floor. Before you start using one, there’s a critical material distinction to understand: most medical professionals advise against stone eggs made from jade, rose quartz, or similar crystals. Medical-grade silicone kegel balls offer the same resistance training without the infection risks that come with porous stone. Here’s how to use weighted kegel devices safely and effectively.
Why Stone Eggs Carry Real Risks
Gemstones like jade and onyx are semi-porous, meaning tiny spaces in the material allow fluids and gas to pass through. Those same spaces harbor bacteria, and because the surface can’t be fully sterilized, bacteria stick around between uses. Inserting a stone egg can also cause small scratches or tears in the vaginal walls, creating entry points for infection. The Cleveland Clinic’s position is blunt: most medical professionals agree that yoni eggs aren’t safe.
If you already own a stone egg and want to continue pelvic floor training, switching to a non-porous, body-safe kegel ball set made from medical-grade silicone is the safer path. These can be properly cleaned, won’t scratch tissue, and come in progressive weight systems designed for exactly this purpose.
Choosing the Right Size
Kegel eggs and balls come in three general sizes:
- Large: roughly 35×50 mm
- Medium: roughly 30×43 mm
- Small: roughly 25×35 mm
This sizing is counterintuitive. Larger eggs are easier to feel and grip internally, making them the better starting point for beginners. Smaller eggs require more muscle control and dexterity, so they’re suited to experienced users who want a greater challenge. Most people can start comfortably with a medium size. If you’ve given birth, gone through menopause, or simply aren’t sure, a set with all three sizes lets you progress as your strength improves. If you already experience excessive tightness or tension in your pelvic floor, start with the small size or skip weighted devices entirely and do bodyweight kegels instead.
How to Insert Safely
Wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap, then wash the kegel ball or egg with warm water and antibacterial soap and dry it with a clean towel. Apply a generous amount of water-based lubricant to the device and to your vaginal opening. Oil-based or silicone-based lubricants can degrade silicone devices, so stick with water-based.
Find a comfortable position, either lying down or standing with one leg raised. Gently insert the first ball, pushing it in only as far as feels comfortable. If you’re using a connected set with two balls, tuck the connecting cord in and then gently guide the second ball inside. If there’s a removal string or loop, make sure it stays outside your body. Once inserted, tighten your pelvic floor muscles to hold the weight in place. The device should feel secure. If the first ball is visible at the vaginal opening or feels like it’s slipping, gently push it a bit deeper.
Exercises to Do With a Kegel Egg
The basic movement is simple: contract your pelvic floor muscles (the same ones you’d use to stop the flow of urine), hold, then fully relax. The added weight of the egg or ball gives your muscles something to grip against, increasing the training effect compared to unweighted kegels.
If you’re just starting out, don’t expect to hold a contraction for five or ten seconds right away. Begin with shorter holds of two to three seconds, then fully release. Work through a few repetitions at a time and aim for at least two to three sets per day. As your endurance builds over weeks, gradually increase both the hold duration and the number of repetitions per set. The key is progressive overload, the same principle behind any strength training.
You can also simply wear the kegel ball during daily activities like walking or standing, letting your muscles work passively to keep the weight in place. This provides a lighter, sustained form of engagement between active exercise sessions.
How Long to Wear Them
Leaving a weighted device inside your vagina all day is not an effective training strategy. Your pelvic floor muscles need to both contract and relax to build strength. Keeping them contracted continuously is like holding a half-finished bicep curl, as OB-GYN Dr. Jen Gunter has pointed out. It doesn’t build functional strength and can lead to muscle fatigue or increased tension.
Sleeping with a kegel egg inserted is also not recommended. Even tampons and menstrual cups, which are designed for extended internal use, carry a maximum recommendation of about 12 hours. A weighted device that encourages constant muscle engagement has no business staying in overnight. Limit your sessions to 15 to 30 minutes when you’re starting out, and don’t exceed a few hours even as you become more experienced.
A Note on Pelvic Floor Tension
Not everyone benefits from pelvic floor strengthening. If your pelvic floor muscles are already too tight (a condition called hypertonicity), adding resistance training can make symptoms worse. Signs of a hypertonic pelvic floor include pain during sex, difficulty emptying your bladder fully, constipation, or a persistent feeling of pressure. In these cases, the goal is learning to relax the muscles, not strengthen them further. A pelvic floor physical therapist can assess whether weighted kegel devices are appropriate for your situation.
Removal and Cleaning
To remove, gently pull on the retrieval string or loop while bearing down slightly with your pelvic floor muscles, similar to a pushing motion. If the device doesn’t come out easily, stay calm. Adding more lubricant can help. You can also cough, move around, or jump gently to encourage your muscles to contract and release naturally, which often shifts the device downward.
After each use, wash the device with warm water and mild antibacterial soap, rinse thoroughly, and let it air dry or pat it dry with a clean towel before storing it in a clean, breathable pouch. Inspect it regularly for any cracks, chips, or surface damage, and replace it if you find any.