The term pompoir is the French transliteration of the Tamil city name "Pahmpur".[9] Originating over 3,000 years ago in India,[10][11] the practice was performed by Devadasis, female temple attendants skilled in dance and sexual techniques. It spread throughout Asia, particularly among elite escort communities, and was refined in regions like Thailand and Japan.[12]
A similar exercise, known as "Kegel", was developed in the 1950s by gynecologist Arnold Kegel. In 1952, he created exercises specifically designed for women experiencing urinary incontinence.[13] While Pompoir targets the same muscle group, its primary focus is sexual mastery and pleasure.[14][15]
Pompoir involves more specific control than traditional Kegel contractions, incorporating three primary motions:[16]
Pulling ▲ - Performed with the inner pull of the back vaginal wal, the same as a Kegel contraction.
Pushing ▼ - Release of the front vaginal wall to create a downward pressure (unique to Pompoir).
Squeezing )( - Uses the side vaginal walls to tighten around the penis (advanced Pompoir move).
Increased sexual pleasure: Muscle control allows for more intense and varied orgasms, including vaginal, G-spot, cervical, and uterine orgasms (according to anecdotal reports).[18]
Improved pelvic floor health: Can help combat urinary incontinence and facilitate childbirth by strengthening the pubococcygeus muscles.[18][19]
Sexual empowerment: Gives the woman greater control during intercourse, reversing traditional power dynamics.[18]
Although pompoir offers many benefits, it should be practiced under the guidance of a pelvic floor specialist.[20] Overtraining or performing these exercises excessively can increase the risk of incontinence or uterine prolapse, in some women.[21]
There is a variant called Kabzah or "Kabza" (Hindi: कब्ज़ा, Urdu: قبضہ, Arabic قبضة), originating from South Asia, in which the woman also uses abdominalmuscle contractions to stimulate the partner, who must remain completely passive. The term translates as "holder," and the sensation is likened to "milking." Women reportedly spend years training to master this technique, which is considered highly difficult and is associated with tantric practices to prolong and intensify intercourse.[22][23][24][25]
^Suzie Heumann, Susan M. Campbell, The Everything Great Sex Book: From Sensuous to Sizzling, the Hottest Tips, Tricks, and Techniques for Spicing Up Your Sex Life, Everything Books, 2004, ISBN1-58062-739-0, p. 63
^Yi-Chen Huang; Ke-Vin Chang (2022). "Kegel Exercises". National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). PMID32310358. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
^Suzie Heumann, Susan M. Campbell, The Everything Great Sex Book: From Sensuous to Sizzling, the Hottest Tips, Tricks, and Techniques for Spicing Up Your Sex Life, Everything Books, 2004, ISBN1-58062-739-0, p. 63
^Kick, Russ, ed. (2006) Everything You Know about Sex Is Wrong: the Disinformation guide to the extremes of human sexuality (and everything in between). New York: The Disinformation Company ISBN1-932857-17-6; p. 125.
^Love, Brenda (1992) The Encyclopedia of Unusual Sex Practices. Fort Lee, NJ: Barricade Books ISBN1-56980-011-1; p. 146.
^Quentin, Rod (2001) The Art of Sex. (Body Works.) Sheffield: Quentin Publications ISBN1-872709-10-9; p. 56.
^Kuriansky, Judith “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Tantric Sex”; p. 208.