Please come and talk to me about what gadgets you have used successfully to strengthen your pelvic floor and cure bastard stress incontinence!

[SummersB]

Let me say right from the off: I am doing Kegel exercises but they have only helped make my stress incontinence slightly better, whereas I would really, really like to cure it completely! I know I am doing them right, and I have been doing them religiously for about 3 Months now. I have also used the Innovo pelvic toner last year for 3 months and that has made no difference whatsoever.
I have been to see a physio a couple of times and other that checking with me that I am doing the exercises correctly she hasn’t really done anything.
I have been to the GP and the next step will be a gynae referral for a trans vaginal tape insertion but I would really like to avoid that!
Is there anything anyone can recommend please?

Anyone?

Yes, I've done the exercises and I had the operation that worked for a few years but was undone by two bouts of flu (and hacking coughs) in the same year. What has worked (had it done two years ago) was a 'bulking injection'. I had it done under general but it can be done under local anaesthetic. There's more and more evidence that it's as successful as a tape operation (it used to be only used for older patients which skewed its success rate). I'm really pleased with the result. I had VERY thorough tests at the hospital beforehand... (can't be easy for the easily embarrassed)

Oooh thanks Name , I’ve never heard of that injection, will research!

Yes! Pessaries, there are so many types.

The next step is not necessarily surgery.

I had the Innivo toner for a bit and didn't get on with it all.

I'm now using the Elvie and am having some definite improvements (I can sneeze without crossing my legs first)

My physio made me use a Neurotrac Continence (the fucking glamour) after DC2. I had to use it for 30-60mins daily for about 8 months. Now I’m supposed to use it three times a week. Not glamorous and a bit miserable that this is supposed to be it now but it bloody works. I notice a difference if I’ve laid off it for too long. Tbh I don’t have continence issues now but apparently I’ll be having problems come the menopause without it.

I did more than just the kegel exercises but also gentle core exercises as well. Not sit ups but ones which were really focusing on the core muscles

I have a Kegel8 and very much recommend it.

Is the Neurotrac thing like a Slendertone for your foof?

I’m at the same point as you, OP, the exercises don’t seem to be doing enough and I’ve been told the next step is surgery or pessaries. Interesting to hear there are other options.

Thanks all! I would prefer to try and tone my pelvic floor to improve the stress incontinence, rather than surgery/pessaries, so I will look into all of these. Thank you so much!

Is the Neurotrac thing like a Slendertone for your foof?

Yes, basically. I think there are other cheaper types but this is the one our NHS Trust uses and my physio had me get (our Trust does loan them out for a while if you’re having treatment but doesn’t have many. You still have to get your own probe, obviously ).

Like I say, I really didn’t think I had any problems before first seeing the physio... I was in complete ignorance that it could all be so involved, tbf. TMI but if I test things by stopping flow while peeing (disclaimer that that’s not advised!) I can tell if I’ve not used it as often as I’m supposed to. Plus I’m a forgetful twat and it means I don’t need to panic about remembering to do kegels or if I’m doing them properly.

There are times I can’t believe the shit I have experience to write about on the internet now. Ah, children.