NOT long ago, apps were all about poking friends and planning a safe flight path for an animated Angry Bird.

However, fast-forward a few years, and it turns out people are now using them to strengthen their vaginas.

5 A new game called Perifit claims to help women strengthen their pelvic floor muscles Credit: Perifit

One smartphone game called Perifit, promises to help improve bladder control, sexual pleasure and core strength - by giving your pelvic floor a workout.

The game has a downloadable app and a pink device fitted with sensors that is inserted into the vagina to play.

It asks users to pick which workout game they want to play: one helps with pregnancy, while the other helps improve incontinence and "intimate well-being".

Players then have to contract their pelvic floor muscles to allow them to complete certain tasks and move onto higher levels in each game.

5 Perifit comes with a pink device that is inserted into the vagina to play Credit: Perifit

5 Contracting the pelvic floor muscles allows the player to complete certain tasks and move on to higher levels Credit: Perifit

For example, in one of the levels, contracting pelvic floor muscles will cause a butterfly to move upwards.

The app then records agility, force, endurance and reflex to track improvement and set higher goals within the app.

Perifit, made by a French company, is currently still in the crowdfunding stage but has already raised over £75,000 on Indiegogo.

Speaking about Perifit, the company says: "Perifit solves a problem most women don’t like to admit they have.

What are the pelvic floor muscles? The pelvic floor muscles are a supportive slig of muscles, stretching from the tailbone at the back to the pubic bone at the front. They are responsible for: Supporting the pelvic organs - the bladder, bowel and womb, especially when standing. They also help protect these from external damage

A role in sexual function during intercourse Your pelvic floor muscles contract when you cough, sneeze or laugh, preventing leakage of urine. Many women suffer from weakness of their pelvic floor muscles. Common symptoms include: Leaking urine with activity, for example during running, jumping, coughing and sneeking

A sudden and urgent need to pass urine

Leakage of stool from the back passage

Decreased satisfaction during sexual intercourse Pelvic floor muscles can be strengthened just like any other weak or damaged muscles. They need to be regularly exercised to work well. Source: NHS

5 Users have to pick a workout game including one which helps with pregnancy and one to improve intimate well-being Credit: Perifit

"Whether it's caused by having had a baby or just simply getting older, one in three women have pelvic floor weakness and problems with incontinence."

The inventors also promise that the device can train and measure muscles, improve core strength, help bladder control, and "add a little extra something to your sexual enjoyment".

The company says the app has been tested for two years, with improvements already made to size and shape.

It has received backing from gynaecologists with Dr Eric Guillo saying: "Women can use it at home whenever they want, it's a good way of taking care of your pelvic floor."

5 Perifit claims to train and measure the pelvic floor muscles Credit: Perifit

How to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles without the app Most of us exercise the rest of our body regularly (well, ish) and clean our teeth every day, but because our pelvic floor is out of sight, we tend to ignore it – even when it’s behaving badly. “Like any muscle, the key to keeping it working well is to repeatedly contract and release it through exercise,” says Rosie Stockley, personal trainer and founder of Mamawell, which specialises in pre- and postnatal fitness. She suggests trying this daily five-minute quick fix: Sit on a chair with your feet on the floor or lie on your back with your knees bent. Take three deep breaths to relax – you don’t want to be holding in your tummy. Pretend you’re trying to stop a wee, while at the same time trying not to fart. Make sure you’re not squeezing your buttocks. Hold for 10 seconds while breathing normally. Let everything go and take a deep breath before tensing again. Repeat 10 times. If you’ve recently had a baby, try this at least twice a day.

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Author of Female Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Sandrine Galliac-Alanbari added: "In my opinion, Perifit is the future in pelvic floor rehabilitation."

It is also being tested with therapists and is available for pre-order with a donation to the Indiegogo page.

Deliveries are expected to begin in April of this year.