Embarrassing stress incontinence treatable with the PelvicToner

Apparently, stress incontinence is something that we British people simply don’t talk about. This is a staggering attitude to have considering it is suspected to affect around four million people in the UK. This figure includes around one third of all new mums and half of all women reaching the menopause.

Do these scenarios sound familiar to you?

“When I was pregnant, good jokes were a nuisance. I hated laughing because I was worried I would wee myself. I thought it would be OK after I had the baby but it really wasn’t.” Mum from Bedminster

“I had to dry my underwear under the hand drier in a shopping centre when I had an accident. This was not something I realised was part of having children. It’s embarrassing and I don’t want it.” Mum from Bishopston

“I suddenly wet myself running for the bus. I did do my pelvic floor exercises during pregnancy but it obviously wasn’t enough.” Mum from Kingswood

These comments from mothers highlight the problems caused by the most common type of urinary incontinence – stress incontinence.  Accounting for around 65 per cent of cases, stress incontinence is caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles. When this important group of muscles is weakened, commonly during childbearing, urine can suddenly leak out when the body coughs, sneeze, laughs or during exercise.

Because many people are too embarrassed to talk about incontinence, they can let it affect the quality of their lives for years. Many are suffering unnecessary torment for something that can be treated.

A major two-year randomised study recently took place at the Bristol Urology Institute based in Southmead Hospital. It examined the current advice and techniques for treating stress incontinence and then looked at potential new ways to improve on treatment.

Participants on the study used a device called the PelvicToner. This is an exercise device that works by strengthening the walls of the pelvic floor by providing a mild resistance to work with. With use, the device helps to tighten the muscles around the neck of the bladder responsible for preventing urine leakage.

During a 16 week period, the device was used as a new way of treating stress incontinence rather than a grim, traditional regime of pelvic floor exercises. Researchers on the study said the PelvicToner was ‘easy to use’ and proved to be ‘particularly helpful’.

The research finally published in the British Journal of Urology proposed improvements to the way the NHS treated stress incontinence, including the use of the PelvicToner. This was because it effectively helped women to identify and exercise the pelvic floor by providing a resistance. This must be a vast improvement in treatment as previously in traditional treatments involving pelvic floor exercises, more than one third of women could not even find and exercise their pelvic floor.

The author of the article, Professor Marcus Drake of the Bristol Urology Institute said: “In our study the PelvicToner aided women to identify their pelvic floor confidently. It increases patient choice and may promote subsequent compliance and sustained efficacy.”

The PelvicToner device is manufactured in Bristol by SPM Ltd. The company believe its effectiveness is down to the speed in which real results can be seen when compared to doing traditional pelvic floor exercises.  An independent survey carried out by the company found that 87 per cent of PelvicToner users had much better bladder control in less than four weeks. This helped motivate the women to carry on working towards achieving real results.

Managing Director of SMP LTD, Barry Fowler says:  “We believe that the PelvicToner can significantly improve the service and treatment that women receive from the NHS and help the NHS save a great deal of money by making the preferred treatment option more effective. Discussions to make the PelvicToner available on prescription are very advanced.”

“However, millions of women are still too embarrassed to even consult with their doctor because of the taboo that surrounds stress incontinence. For these women especially, help is now immediately at hand with a medical device that is accessible, cheap, simple to use and of proven effectiveness.”

The PelvicToner costs just £29.99 and can be purchased from www.pelvictoner.co.uk or from 0117 968 1414

Chopsy Baby have three PelvicToners to win.

For a chance to win, email you name, address and phone number to: competitions@chopsybaby.com with the subject ‘PelvicToner’.

The competition ends at midnight on the 30 April 2010.

Competition Rules
Include your full name, address and a contact telephone number.
The competition ends at midnight on the 30 April 2010.
Prize draws open to all readers in the UK.
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Personal details provided will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and will only be used for the outcome of the draw.
Chopsy Baby will not pass on your details to anyone
Winners names and home town may be published in a future news story on Chopsy Baby.
No cash or prize alternatives.
Entry implies acceptance of these rules.

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