My INNOVO Journey - Karen, 60
Karen Robinson, 60 and grandmother of two has suffered from bladder weakness since the birth of her first child 35 years ago. Two babies and two difficult labours resulted in a lifelong problem for Karen.
Following the birth of my first child, I started to notice that I had to rush to the toilet more quickly and needed to go more often. I was given a sheet by a nurse that described pelvic floor exercises… However, I had no idea if I was doing them correctly – clearly, I wasn’t.
Life had its restrictions. I always needed to know where toilets would be and had to plan routes so that I knew I could visit a loo should I need to (and I always did). Prior to having children I was very active and particularly enjoyed high intensity sports and exercise classes but since giving birth this all had to change. I replaced the more intense exercises with gentler alternatives, but still always had to wear an incontinence pad.
“My once carefree life was now being overtaken by the constant worry of leaking and urgently needing to find a toilet. Menopause also added extra stress to my already weak bladder.”
Incontinence treatment options – tried and tested
I have no idea why I didn’t go to my GP about this, I’ve never really been one to shy away from health conversations but something about this situation was different. I never told anyone about it.
I was experiencing a combination of stress incontinence and urge incontinence, so I would leak when I sneezed, laughed and exercised, as well as having a constant and overwhelming urgency for the loo.
I tried a number of things to treat this, I started with Kegel exercises but felt I wasn’t doing these correctly. I also tried a bio feedback pelvic floor probe device but because my pelvic floor strength was so weak, I wasn’t able to hold the device in. I eventually came across INNOVO and after doing some research and reading the testimonials, I was convinced this was the product for me, and hoped it would help me finally overcome my bladder issues.
INNOVO quickly became part of my daily routine and I would just enjoy reading my book on my bed while doing my INNOVO sessions. I was finally able to feel my pelvic floor muscles contracting with INNOVO after years of failed Kegel exercises. I now have a much clearer understanding of what I should be feeling and what is actually happening with my pelvic floor.
Using the INNOVO pelvic floor exerciser
You use INNOVO for 30 minutes each day, five days a week with the full treatment programme lasting 12 weeks, and I love that I can do the sessions at home where I feel comfortable. It’s been so easy to follow the same routine with it, and I’ve been happy with the whole process. After 19 days using INNOVO I could go to my Zumba class without any leaks or dribbles!
“My first visit to a new Zumba class. NO DRIBBLES! Can I say that again? NO DRIBBLES. Amazing after just 19 days. My worries about getting it on correctly are obviously unfounded. This is working”
The 12 weeks soon flew by and the difference with my bladder control was huge. I now drink the recommended amounts of water a day and never limit myself when I’m out and about. I can deal with the urge to ‘go’ and can hold it until I can find a toilet. No more little accidents. I wear white trousers on holiday abroad. No pads showing or stains - hooray! I’ve banished the black clothing I’ve been restricted by for so many years.
Within such a short space of time using the INNOVO programme, all those years of suffering have gone. I no longer research toilet stops or even think about where I can go if I need to - I’m just like everyone else these days. INNOVO works. I’ve said NO to bladder weakness.