Heather, our European Brand Coordinator gave a presentation in Spanish to the audience, which was well-received by all concerned, then with colleague Ellie, Assistant Brand Manager, discussed the Kegel8 range with the invited delegates from all over the Catalonian region to highlight the benefits that a strong and healthy pelvic floor bring.

We are keen to spread the Kegel8 word to women all over Europe (and indeed all around the world!) and we hope that by presenting our fantastic products at UK Trade and Investment’s offices at the British Consulate in Barcelona that we may be able to bring our range to even more women across the globe.

It’s been a very busy few weeks in the Kegel8 office as the Kegel8 word spreads far and wide. Following on from our rave reviews in Practical Parenting and Pregnancy magazine and on MadeForMums.com, Kegel8 has now been featured in Best Magazine’s ‘Everyday Essentials – Our Top Picks for This Month’ section.

Calling our Kegel8 electronic pelvic toners ‘a fast and efficient way’ to strengthen the pelvic floor, Best magazine goes on to say that they gives ‘results in weeks’ – what could be better?

So come on ladies, what are you waiting for? Keep on Kegel8ing!

Our Kegel8 Vaginal Cones are selling like hotcakes, as women all over the world discover that it’s a simple, affordable and easy-to-use way to strengthen their pelvic floor.

Following on from customer feedback from women saying that they could keep the heaviest cone in place, so perhaps the Kegel8 cones were not right for them, we have introduced a new and unique exercise plan, designed in conjunction with a leading physiotherapist. Being able to keep the Cones in place is just the first step with the Kegel8 Vaginal Cones – being able to exercise with them is another thing entirely!

Our fabulous new exercise plan features pelvic floor exercises using the Kegel8 Cones, with a Beginner’s Exercise Plan for those just starting out and those with a weaker pelvic floor, through to our Advanced Exercise Plan that will challenge even those with pelvic floor muscles of steel – so there’s always something higher to aim for.

Every purchase of Kegel8 Cones from now on will include our fantastic exercise guide as standard, but if you already have a set of Kegel8 Cones at home, you can still benefit from our latest addition.

Download our exercise plan here, dust off those Kegel8 Cones that are sitting in your knicker drawer, and start strengthening your pelvic floor today and treat those ‘laughter leaks’, improve intimate sensation and get your pelvic floor in the best shape ever.

Pelvic floor exercise is an important part of the healing process after giving birth, and Kegel8 make it easy.

Practical Parenting & Pregnancy magazine highlight that you can use our Kegel8 Smartballs to strengthen up “while pottering around at home” – something which comes in very useful when you are very busy with a new baby. Our Smartballs are great in that you can insert them then go about your business – the natural oscillation of the balls causes a natural reflex of your pelvic floor which works to strengthen your muscles from the inside out with every step. You can also exercise with them – doing your ‘squeeze and lift’ exercises with the Smartballs in place makes your Kegels even more effective.

The magazine also features our new interactive Kegel8 Trainer, underlining how it “guides you through a ten-minute exercise programme with a voice prompt”. When you have given birth, most of your energy is concentrated on looking after your new arrival, but with the Kegel8 Trainer, you can strengthen your pelvic floor in just ten minutes a day.

Practical Parenting & Pregnancy magazine also quote our fabulous Founder, Managing Director and resident pelvic floor expert Stephanie Taylor, saying how “pelvic floor problems shouldn’t be shrouded in the old taboo of embarrassment or shame” and she’s right – the pelvic floor is an important part of every woman’s body and it’s important that we look after it, regardless of our age.

See Kegel8 featured in the May 2013 issue of Practical Parenting & Pregnancy magazine, on sale now.

Our gorgeous new purple Kegel8 Cones have been rated 5/5 as a great way to strengthen the pelvic floor after giving birth, beating the Aquaflex cones – Aquaflex are described as “fiddly” and “[not] particularly comfortable” whereas the Kegel8 cones are described as “simple to use” and “very comfortable”, and at just £29.99 they are a must for all new mums.

They also review our bestselling Kegel8 Ultra, describing it as “the Ferrari of pelvic floor exercisers”. It also highlights that the great thing for new mums is that “it can be attached to your clothing and do its work while you focus on something else” – we all know that for new mums, time can definitely be tight, so the Kegel8 Ultra is a great way to strengthen and tone your pelvic floor while you’re busy doing other things.

So, while you may be concentrating on your new baby, it’s important to remember to look after yourself too – Kegel8’s range of pelvic floor products make it quick and easy to strengthen your pelvic floor, and with 1 in 3 new mums suffering from some kind of leaks, Kegel8 is here to help.

If you are a 'butt-tucker' it means that your pelvis is not doing its job and supporting your spine properly. When you 'butt tuck' you flatten your lumber spine and your pelvic organs are pulled away from the front wall of your abdomen - this means they could fall back into the vaginal space which is known as pelvic organ prolapse.

Butt Tucking changes the way the spine works and if one area changes the spine will always compensate elsewhere, this can cause pain and discomfort and possibly even prolapse.

So, if you want to pose like Victoria Beckham remember when the cameras stop flashing, sit up straight, straighten your spine, walk tall and kegel exercise for your pelvic floor and core muscles. By learning these good posture habits and saving the butt tucking for photo opportunities your spine and pelvic floor will stay strong and healthy.

The Kegel8 Trainer, with its unique Squeeze Scale, not only helps you to exercise the pelvic floor effectively but also measures the strength of your pelvic floor muscles to let you see how you are progressing.

HealthGauge’s article focuses on how the Kegel8 Trainer not only can help with pesky laughter-leaks and stress incontinence, but also how it can help you to achieve a stronger core and flatter tummy. Most people think that the way to strong and flat abs is endless crunches and sit-ups but this isn’t always the best option – these exercises put a lot of pressure on the pelvic floor and can even weaken the foundation core muscles.

Discover more about the Kegel8 Trainer’s fantastic Squeeze Scale and how exercising with the Kegel8 Trainer could help you in our article here.

Kegel8 Trainer is priced at just £79.99.

Back in November Savantini won the regional Yorkshire and Humber Medilink Healthcare Business Start-Up Award for our success in building and expanding Kegel8, which also meant we were shortlisted for the National Start-Up Award.

Yesterday our MD Stephanie and Brand Manager Emma went down to London to attend the awards ceremony at ExCel London. And guess what?

We won!

We were up against some tough competition so we’re ecstatic to have won this award! It’s fantastic to be recognised on a national level for the success we’ve had in bringing Kegel8 to women right across the UK.

Medilink UK supports healthcare technology businesses like us and has helped to guide us through the complex world of health product innovation so that we can get Kegel8 out to as many people as possible. We’ve had so many messages of thanks from women who have regained control, sensation and confidence after coming to Kegel8 and it’s wonderful to know that we’ve made a difference to so many people’s health.

With this Medilink Award under our belt it’s just onwards and upwards from here as we expand throughout Europe and the rest of the world to convert women everywhere into Kegel8-ers. That is, of course, after we’ve celebrated with Kegel8 cupcakes made with love by our European Brand Co-Ordinator and baking wizard Heather!

We’re looking for you to help us to help other women like you. We’re a real information hub when it comes to pelvic health and hearing your real life stories means we can develop our products to suit your needs but it also helps other women realise that they are not alone. We’d really like to hear about your experience with prolapse; whether you are living with a prolapse, have had a prolapse in the past, have had surgery, are due surgery… anything that we can share with will be a real benefit to our Kegel8 community.

If you are a Kegel8 follower, you will know that we’re huge advocates for women’s health and we’re firm believers in helping women to help themselves. One of the more severe side effects of a weak pelvic floor is pelvic organ prolapse, where the pelvic organs ‘move’ from their normal place and descend, either into the vagina or the rectum.

Pelvic floor exercise is recommended as a first-line treatment for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and our Kegel8 Ultra features a programme especially designed to help prolapse.

But we need your help.

By answering just 3 questions you can help us to help other women like you by telling us your experience of pelvic organ prolapse. You don’t even have to tell us your name if you don’t want to – you can be totally anonymous. With the stories we receive we’ll build a page on our website – a place where women can go and read your stories to help them identify symptoms, make treatment choices and be reassured they are not alone.

If you would like to help us - please click here to join us and answer just 3 quick questions.

Thank you.

Tatyana can lift a 14kg kettlebell with her ‘nether regions’ – as the Sun puts it. However, we know that it’s not her vagina she’s lifting it with; it’s her pelvic floor muscles. This takes pelvic floor exercise to the extreme, and the article has attracted a wide range of reactions, from shock and awe: “You’ve got to see it to believe it!” to crude disbelief and in some cases, outright disgust, with one reader simply commenting: “Gross”.

Whilst lifting a 14kg kettlebell with your Kegel muscles is Kegel exercise in the extreme, if you want to strengthen your pelvic floor in a more measured way, why not try our gorgeous new purple Kegel8 Vaginal Cones? Since the colour changed from pink to purple, we’re experiencing record sales… why not give them a try yourself!

If you already have a strong pelvic floor and are ready for the next challenge, we also offer the Kegel8 barbell – this vaginal barbell adds weight and resistance to your Kegel exercise, with ends of different thickness to give progressive exercise.

While Tatyana’s super-strong pelvic floor is certainly drawing a strong reaction, you can strengthen your own pelvic floor in the comfort of your own home too with Kegel8.

The Vitality Show is a great chance to discover the latest health tips, the most exciting new beauty products and the hottest new gadgets in health and fitness.

It’s a great chance to have a fantastic girly pamper too… there’s a Day Spa, Beauty Bar with free beauty masterclasses, Chill Out Lounge, Sex Academy, Hair Salon and much more, so you’re guaranteed to come away feeling absolutely fabulous.

There’s a whole host of the top names in health and beauty exhibiting, including Amy Childs, Neal’s Yard Organic, Give Lube, Dr Marilyn Glenville and many more, so you will be able to discover the most exciting new trends in health, beauty, fitness and wellness – all in all, it’s a great day out!

This prize is worth a fabulous £50, and to be in with a chance of winning, simply comment on this blog and answer the following question:

What is your top pelvic health tip that you would pass on to other women?

Please leave your name and address along with your answer, as well as the email addresses of both you and the person who will be accompanying you should you win (just so we know where to email the tickets to – we will not publish your address or email addresses).

Competition closes 12 noon (GMT) on Friday 15^th March and winners will be chosen at random.

And the winner is...

The winner of our competition was the lovely Rachel with her fab poem about her top health tips - she said that she had "a wonderful day on Friday!"

When the pelvic floor is tight, many women actually tense the muscles more, which in the long term leads to even more pelvic pain and discomfort. Pelvic floor muscle pain is frequently misdiagnosed, however if treated correctly, it can be treated very successfully and really improve a woman’s quality of life.

What causes pelvic floor pain?

There are a number of things that can cause pelvic floor tension and pain, these include:

• Over exercising the pelvic floor without relaxing in between (that’s why Kegel8 is good because it allows your muscles to rest sufficiently between exercises).
• Pelvic surgery, TVT surgery and mesh surgery
• Hysterectomy and Prolapse Surgery
• High intensity abdominal/core exercises
• Problems with posture
• Pelvic infection, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Emotional and mental factors

One or a combination of these things can cause your pelvic floor muscles to go into spasm, so it is important to look after your pelvic floor to avoid pelvic pain.

So why is an overactive pelvic floor a bad thing?

If your pelvic floor muscles are overactive, not only can it cause them to be very tense and cause you pain, it can also cause a number of other problems, including:

• A weak pelvic floor: if the pelvic floor muscles stay contracted all the time (if they are overactive), this can tire them out, just like any other muscle in the body. If they are overworked, this can mean that they might not work when they are supposed to, which can lead to stress incontinence and even pelvic organ prolapse (POP).
• Intimate problems: pelvic floor muscle spasm can cause a great deal of sexual problems when it comes to intercourse and penetration, for example vaginismus. Vaginismus is the name given to the condition whereby the pelvic floor muscles go into spasm with the threat of penetration, and can become so severe that intercourse and even inserting a tampon becomes impossible.
• Bladder problems: these include urge incontinence, difficulty in urinating and slow flow of urine.
• Bowel problems: an overactive pelvic floor can even cause bowel problems too. If the pelvic area is very tense, this can lead to constipation, haemorrhoids and even problems such as anal fissures, because it becomes very difficult to go to the toilet without immense straining.

What can I do to help if I suffer from pelvic floor muscle tension and pelvic pain?

If your doctor has ruled out problems such as infection that may be causing your pelvic pain, it is important to let the muscles relax as much as possible.

1.      Avoid heavy lifting

This will put even more pressure on your pelvic muscles, so avoid heavy lifting wherever possible.

2.      Avoid intense abdominal and core exercises

While we all want a sleek and flat tummy, intense abdominal exercises put a great deal of stress on your pelvic floor. When your abs are intensely contracted, they press down and put a lot of pressure on your pelvic floor

3.      Take things slowly in the bedroom

Make sure intercourse is slow and gentle, to avoid trauma to the pelvic area.

4.      Be careful with your Kegel exercise

While we are huge advocates for pelvic floor exercise, avoid Kegel exercise that is too intense if you are suffering from pelvic pain. The Kegel8 Ultra features a programme for pelvic pain (PO11) that works at a very low frequency to help relax your muscles – this may be a very good programme to use.

5.      And relax!

Your pelvic floor is a muscle like any other, and it will be even more tense if you are stressed, so take time for you and relax. Take a warm bath, go for a gentle walk… you will find that this can really help you to relax.

Shelly (2002) recommends lying down with a pillow under your knees for 20-30 minutes daily to help relax the pelvic floor muscles. If you like, you can use a warm pack placed on your lower abdomen or pubic area to help relax the muscles too. Take this time as ‘you time’ and concentrate on breathing deeply and relaxing your whole body as much as you can.

Is there anything else that can be done to help?

If you continue to suffer from pelvic tension and pelvic pain, it may help you to see a women’s physiotherapist. They can help you to better understand your pelvic floor and teach you massage techniques and help to correct your posture.

There’s lots that can be done to help, so don’t suffer in silence. With the right treatment, you will be able to manage pelvic pain and feel like you again.

Sources:

Michelle Kenway, Australian physiotherapist and author of Inside Out, the guide to pelvic-floor safe exercise, article on pelvic floor tension and pain.

At Kegel8, we’re passionate about pelvic health, and we are excited that the Kegel8 message is being spread around the world.

At Arab Health we were lucky enough to be able to discuss overseas markets in the Middle East with representatives from UK Trade & Industry to discover how we can help spread the importance of pelvic floor exercise and Kegel8 in these areas.

Arab Health was a great learning curve, and we learnt a lot about overseas markets in the Middle East and even further afield, and learnt more about the specific pelvic floor problems that women in these areas face. For example, many women in these areas have multiple children, so often suffer from stress incontinence and prolapse – it’s insights like these that make trade shows like Arab Health such a valuable experience.

If you’re a Kegel8 follower, you will know that Kegel exercise is vitally important for women of all ages, and by spreading the Kegel8 message, we’re keen to make women all around the world realise the importance of pelvic floor exercise regardless of age, whether they be 18 or 88.

More than 15000 hysterectomies a day are performed in India.

As pelvic floor experts, we were floored by this figure, because of the amount of women now suffering incontinence, prolapse and other problems due to this extremely high level of hysterectomy.

Upon our return to the office, we read an article on the BBC talking about the same issue.  It seems as though women are routinely given hysterectomy as part of routine treatment for heavy periods, period pain, stress incontinence and even back pain.

One of the people we spoke to at Arab Health said that in her community, it was extremely rare for women over 45 to have a uterus. In the BBC article on the same topic, the researcher said that village leaders in one village estimate 90% of the village women to have had the operation –many of which are between 20 and 30 years old.

In India, doctors charge around $200 for a hysterectomy, which for many families is more than their life savings, so many have been forced to sell their possessions to pay for this ‘vital’ operation when in fact so many women could have been treated for their conditions with simple pelvic floor exercise.

In some parts of India, hysterectomy is standard treatment for stress incontinence, when this can be so easily treated with Kegel exercise and Kegel8. It is suggested that in some areas of India, hysterectomy is carried out without trying other less invasive treatment methods first.

In the UK, hysterectomy is only usually performed when all other treatment options have been exhausted. Even in cases of cancer, doctors will try to treat the problem first with chemotherapy and radiotherapy before resorting to hysterectomy.

Before and after hysterectomy, Kegel exercise is a vital part of the preparation and recovery process. Because an organ has been removed, your other organs can move into the space that has been created. If your pelvic floor is very weak, this can lead to pelvic organ prolapse, so it’s very important before and after hysterectomy to strengthen the pelvic floor with pelvic floor exercise.

We're advocates for women's health, so let's help to spread the Kegel8 word and help women all around the world.

Women the world over experience bladder weakness, laughter leaks and prolapse as a result of weakened pelvic floors and it’s so important to us that they understand how their pelvic floors work and what options they have to tone up their muscles and regain control and confidence. Any opportunity to share our knowledge and advice is extremely valuable, which is why we’re so excited for Kegel8 to be at Arab Health this year.

So, whilst we’re stuck in the office in dreary Britain, Managing Director Stephanie Taylor and European Brand Co-Ordinator Heather Lindley are enjoying the sunny climes of Dubai… But we’ll forgive them as we know they’re working really hard!

If you’re at Arab Health 2013 this week Stephanie and Heather would love you to pop in and say hello; they’re at stand 7B64 in Hall 7 in the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre from 28th – 31st January.

Did you know that our modern toilets can be really damaging to your pelvic floor?

If you are a Kegel8 follower, you will know that we have talked for a long time about the damage that being constipated can do to your pelvic floor. Straining to go to the toilet puts a huge amount of pressure on our pelvic muscles, and as well as leading to problems such as haemorrhoids, straining can also really damage your pelvic floor.

Doctors have long advocated eating plenty of fibre to ‘keep things moving’ and that is correct, however, it’s not just what we eat but how we go for a number 2 that can lead to healthier bowels and a stronger pelvic floor.

Not emptying the bowels properly can be really detrimental to our health. By sitting to go to the toilet, it means that our bowels are not always emptied properly. Over time, this can mean that faeces gather in the bowels and make us constipated. Toxins also build up in this way, and studies have suggested that excess faeces can lead to IBS, bowel disease, appendicitis and even bowel cancer. We need to change the way we go!

Our toilets may be comfortable, but humans aren’t designed to sit for a number two – we’re designed to squat! Sitting on the toilet, while comfortable, does not allow us to completely empty the bowel – the rectum is choked by the puborectalis muscle. This is good for most of the day, because if it didn’t, we would have accidents, however when going to the toilet sitting down, we can't empty the bowels properly, meaning that we strain and damage our pelvic floor!

That’s where SquattyPotty comes in!

SquattyPotty is an simple yet ingenious device that fits around the base of your toilet, and raises your feet to put your body into a natural and comfortable squatting position. By squatting instead of sitting, the puborectalis muscle releases the rectum, straightens out the anorectal kink and allows us to do a complete and healthy number 2, the way nature intended.

Straining to go to the toilet is really detrimental to the body, and especially to the pelvic floor. Straining puts a great deal of pressure on the muscles and blood vessels around your rectum and in your whole pelvic area – repeated straining over a period of time can seriously damage these muscles and in the worst case, cause leaks – both urinary and faecal. You can help to avoid straining by raising your knees into the natural squatting position with the SquattyPotty.

By squatting instead of sitting, your bowels will open in a natural way, allowing for easier ‘number 2s’ and protecting your pelvic floor from the damage caused by straining.

Stephanie Taylor, pelvic floor expert and Managing Director of Kegel8 says: “The SquattyPotty really is going to be the must-have health gadget of 2013” and goes on to say “straining due to constipation is so detrimental to your health, and we’re really excited to have found a such a simple and effective way to avoid constipation and protect the pelvic floor”.

Where can I get the SquattyPotty?

SquattyPotty is available in the UK from www.squattypotty.co.uk and our friends at StressNoMore. SquattyPotty is available in two different heights, 7 inches and 9 inches. Usually toilets 14-15 inches high are low enough for the smaller SquattyPotty, and taller toilets over 16 inches are better suited for the 9 inch model. SquattyPotty is available in two designs to suit every bathroom. The sleek and simple SquattyPotty Ecco is priced at just £27.99 and is ideal for those on a budget, and the gorgeous SquattyPotty Tao Bamboo design is priced at £52.00.

The SquattyPotty is the ideal addition to your Kegel8 exercises. By changing the way you poop and regular Kegel8ing, you’ll soon be on the way to a stronger and healthier pelvic floor, and all the benefits it brings!

Designed by Irish Businesswoman Yvonne Brady the shorts give support in the gusset area, (to support pelvic floor muscles) support the abdomen and have a discreet pouch to hold a panty pad in place for any embarrassing exercise accidents.

Yvonne is a graduate Civil Engineer by profession and took up running after the birth of her third child. It was during her training for the Dublin City Marathon in 2010 that she began to notice all what not as it should be. Yvonne says that there is no other sportswear on the market to help women runners and she has international patents pending to protect her innovative sportswear designs.

Stephanie Taylor Founder of Kegel8 said 'We think this is a great idea, women need to exercise and should not be prevented from doing so by a few bladder leaks - sports shorts like these will help women running, in gyms and even exercise classes feel confident when exercising. What's just as important as the science behind EVB shorts is the fact they are stylish and practical - we think women will love this range'.

Kegel8 user Nicky said 'I used to wet myself when I ran, I love running but I would have to always run in black lycra, with a long T-shirt and sweatshirt tied around my waist to hide the damp patch. When I ran a marathon, I used to disguise the wet patch by pouring water over my head - by drenching myself in water it disguised my wet crotch...I also tried a tampon, the pressure sometimes helped against my bladder. I started using a Kegel8 exerciser in 2011 and within 5 months I was dry and able to manage a run without wetting myself. I'm 33 and I can't tell you how much running has meant to me and to be able to control myself again was a real achievement'.

Stephanie goes on to say 'Bladder leaks, stress incontinence or light bladder weakness - whatever term you use is a sign of a weak pelvic floor and will get worse if you do not do specific kegel exercises. Wear your EVB Sports Shorts to support your pelvic floor but please don't just 'pad' the problem, learn how to kegel exercise and in a few weeks you'll have control of any unnecessary leaks and of course kegel exercises are great for tummy flattening and strengthening your core muscles too - just like EVB Shorts.

On your marks...!

Since we launched the Perisize probe, we’ve been experiencing record sales as women discover that they can make their Kegel8 exercises even more effective!

What makes the Perisize different is that it uses both channels of your Kegel8 machine, unlike the other probes which use one channel. This means that twice the power is going to the electrodes meaning a doubly effective workout session.

To use the Perisize probe with your Kegel8, simply attach a leadwire adaptor to each set of wires and insert the leadwire into each channel of your Kegel8 machine. You then increase the mAs on both channels of the Kegel8. If you suffer from asymmetry or nerve damage, you can choose to treat just one side, or you can choose to have the mAs higher on one side, or you can choose to treat both sides equally and have a doubly powerful workout!

The four hemispherical electrodes are gold-plated, which means that the current is transferred even more effectively to your muscles. The gold-plated electrodes are also perfect for women who suffer from nickel intolerance and are suitable for even the most sensitive skin.

The Perisize probe is also easy and comfortable to insert and remove. The innovative design adjusts to your body and can be ‘squeezed’ when you are inserting it, which makes the probe smaller and easier to insert. It’s easy to use – simply insert the probe with the gold balls pointing ‘downwards’. This means that the electrical current will target the back part of your pelvic floor and this is where the biggest part of the pelvic floor is found, giving you a super-effective workout.

Your Kegel8 probe needs to be replaced every 6-12 months, so when you are next due a replacement, or simply want to take your Kegel8 exercises to the next level, try the Perisize probe – this is Kegel exercising like never before.

Symphysiotomies involved breaking the woman’s pelvis during childbirth - using a hacksaw. This break would enable the pelvis to be stretched wider - with disastrous consequences for the mothers. Survivors of Symphysiotomy (SOS) are a group of women campaigning for recognition of their suffering and disability through this procedure - they live in constant pain, walk with a permanent limp, suffer chronic back pain and incontinence.

The Irish mothers who underwent symphysiotomies had no idea what the procedure involved and many of them believed they had been given a C section.  They claim that the hip-breaking was carried out without prior knowledge or consent “mainly for religious reasons, by obstetricians who were opposed to family planning.”

Nora Clarke recounted how the nurses present at her symphysiotomy looked sick and some were physically sick.

“I saw the hacksaw, I know what hacksaws are. He started cutting my bone and my blood spurted up like a fountain.” She remembers that the doctor looked annoyed that her blood had splattered on his glasses. Until she spoke to her son Wayne about it many years later, Nora believed she had gone through a C-Section.

Marie O’Connor, chairperson of SOS, describes symphysiotomy as “arguably the biggest human rights scandal in Ireland since the foundation of the State”.

Survivors have been seeking truth and justice for over a decade. Successive governments have stonewalled, forcing our members to resort to the courts.

How Can You Help SOS?

Like SOS on Facebook, Post your comments on You Tube, forward the film link to other women you know to do the same, highlight the story from these women. We'd hate to think that the authorities are simply waiting for this cruel story to fade away with time. Lets make sure it doesn't.

Source: The Journal - Caire Kavanagh

You Tube Film Credit: Anne Daly and Ronan Tynan, Esperanza Film: Mothers Against The Odds

How can ‘Dry January’ help with bladder weakness?

You’ll be amazed! Many of us don’t realise that two large glasses of white wine not only puts us over the recommended daily limit for alcohol consumption, but also provides us with nearly 20% of our recommended daily calorie intake – that’s a whopping  370 calories.

Kegel8 user Joanne says ‘I have a demanding job and I got into the habit of having a few glasses of wine in the evening. Over the course of a year I had put on a stone in weight and panty-pad use was an everyday necessity because I kept having accidents, not making it to the loo in time, or just not being able to get my knickers down before I started weeing. I just didn’t link my stress incontinence with my increased weight’.

Joanne hadn’t realised that the extra weight she was packing on with her daily wine consumption was adding extra pressure to her already weak pelvic floor and was probably the cause of her bladder weakness.

‘I knew I had to do something, I’m 39 years old and I didn’t want to be ‘Fat and Forty!’ I bought a Kegel8 and joined a slimming class. Within two months I had lost 7lbs in weight and my stronger pelvic floor muscle meant that I no longer needed the protection of panty pads.’

What Joanne also didn’t realise was that alcohol is a diuretic - a substance that makes us wee more often. Cutting down on the amount of alcohol she was consuming certainly did help her incontinence symptoms - and of course using her Kegel8 strengthened her pelvic floor too!

So here at Kegel8 we’ve signed up for ‘Dry January’ (Emma is pregnant so it’s ‘Dry 9 Months’ for her) and we’ve pledged to banish alcohol for January.

We’d love you to join us for ‘Dry January’. Your waistline and bladder will really benefit.

If, like Joanne you find at the end of January that your bladder has benefitted as well as your waistline let us know so we can share your stories with other women too!

Sign up for Dry January

There’s no point toning and training the outside of your body if the inside is weak and sagging, so make Kegel8 exercises a part of your weekly exercise regime and you will notice a huge difference – no more laughter leaks, better intimate sensation and – did you know – a tighter pelvic floor can help to give you a flatter tummy too!

Our brand new Kegel8 Trainer with its unique Squeeze Scale is the perfect way to perform your Kegel exercises – squeeze against the unique inflatable probe and the Trainer will tell you your Squeeze Scale. The Squeeze Scale ranges from 1-9 with around 5 being average, so even if you think that you’re a Kegel pro, there is always something higher to aim for! Kegel8 Trainer will then guide you through perfect Kegel exercises at the ideal level for you and guides you through different ‘squeeze and release’ patterns to exercise both the slow twitch and fast twitch muscle fibres of your pelvic floor to help you to treat and prevent leaks, prepare your body for pregnancy or simply to help you to strengthen and tone your pelvic floor!

If you think that your pelvic floor is already strong and are looking for the next challenge, the Kegel8 Pelvic Floor Barbell could be for you. The weighted barbell, made of medical-grade stainless steel offers different levels of exercise intensity – if you think that your pelvic floor muscles are super-strong already, try to Kegel holding the thinner end of the barbell with the wider end pointing downwards against gravity – it’s no mean feat!

If you prefer an electronic exerciser, then there is of course our tried and tested Kegel8 Ultra range. With programmes for incontinence, prolapse, intimate sensation and our fantastic overall pelvic floor workout, Kegel8 Ultra exercises over 90% of your pelvic floor muscles for an intense workout and sensational results.

So here's to a fit and healthy 2013 - New Year New You from the inside out with Kegel8.

Merry Christmas from all at Kegel8!

Today is the last day in the Kegel8 office before Christmas, so we wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. It’s been a very exciting year at Kegel8 with some new products and winning our award from Medilink. We think next year is going to be very exciting too, with the brand new Kegel8 Trainer on the horizon as well as some other great projects in the pipeline!

Have a very Happy Christmas and remember to keep on Kegel8-ing!

Kegel8 Cones are the perfect way to know that you’re doing your Kegels correctly, as the indicator wand shows you when you’re using the correct muscles. They also add resistance to your exercises and are progressive, so as you get stronger, you can increase the weight for an extra challenge!

As it says in the article, Kegel exercising is advocated by NICE (the National Institute for Clinical Excellence) as a first-line treatment for pelvic floor weakness and incontinence, so take control and start Kegel8-ing today with our Kegel8 Cones to stay tight for life.

You can read the article and discover more about the use of vaginal cones for pelvic floor weakness here at Hive Health Media.

Neobladder is an operation that is used for both men and women.

What is Neobladder Surgery?

Sometimes if people suffer from bladder problems, the bladder is removed in a procedure called a Cystectomy, which takes away the bladder but leaves behind some of the urethra – the small tube that urine passes through.  A new bladder or ‘neobladder’ is then made out of a small section of the bowel and attached to the urethra and ureters (the tubes that drain urine from the kidneys).

During surgery, the surgeons try their best to leave as many of the nerves in place as possible so that you can be as continent as possible, and the bladder can often be emptied in the normal way.

What does Neobladder surgery involve?

You will be admitted into hospital for your surgery and you will have a general anaesthetic (you will be put to sleep). The length of your operation depends on how complicated it is – a straightforward operation might last around 2-3 hours, but a more complicated one may take over 5 hours.

After the operation, you will probably feel some pain, but the nurses and doctors will make sure that you are given enough painkillers so that you do not need to suffer.

You will also have a catheter inserted into your bladder to make sure that it is kept completely empty so can heal properly.

Neobladder surgery is major surgery, so your nurses and consultants will discuss with you what to expect both before, during and after surgery. If you have any concerns, no matter if you think they’re small and insignificant, don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask.

Can I eat and drink after Neobladder surgery?

Once your doctor gives the all clear, you will be able to start drinking small sips of water, but won’t be able to drink properly until your bowel is working again. This may be a few days. Once you can drink, you will be able to start eating small snacks such as soup and toast, which you can then slowly and gradually build up to a normal diet.

Will I suffer incontinence after Neobladder surgery?

For around the first 3-4 weeks, you will have a catheter in place to drain your bladder to help it to heal properly. Once you have had the catheter removed, you will find:

• For the first 1-2 weeks, you will need to empty your bladder every 2 hours in the day, every 3 hours at night (so you will need to set an alarm)
• In the 3^rd week, you will need to empty your bladder every 4 hours in the day and every 5 hours at night.
• By the 4^th and 5^th week, you should only need to empty your bladder every 5-6 hours during the day and night.

By week 6, your neobladder will have stretched to be able to hold around a pint of urine (which is the same as a normal bladder).

The best way to combat incontinence after neobladder surgery is to strengthen your pelvic floor before and after your operation.

Before your operation, you can use one of our market-leading Kegel8 pelvic exercise devices to strengthen your pelvic floor and get your muscles in peak condition ready for your surgery.

After your operation, you should not carry out pelvic floor exercises (even manual Kegels) until your consultant says that it’s safe to do so – neobladder surgery is major surgery and you need to give your body a chance to heal.

Once you’ve got the go-ahead, it’s great to start with manual Kegel exercises to begin your pelvic floor’s recovery process. It’s important to do ‘fast’ Kegels and ‘slow’ Kegels to work both the fast and slow twitch muscle fibres in your pelvic floor. (Read about how to do the most effective manual Kegels to work both types of muscle fibres in our article here).

The slow twitch muscle fibres are the ones that work constantly to help you to retain urine and support your pelvic muscles. The fast twitch muscle fibres act almost like a ‘tap’ – they react quickly when you sneeze and cough, and they also work to shut off the flow of urine and help to prevent accidents – so after neobladder surgery it’s very important to work both types of muscles to give yourself the best chance of recovery.

Don’t forget, Kegel exercises work for both men and women!

Further down the line after your surgery, it is worth asking your surgeon when you can restart using your Kegel8 device. While manual Kegels are great, they only work around 40% of your pelvic floor muscles, whereas a Kegel8 works 90% of your muscles, so Kegel8 really helps to make a positive difference to your pelvic floor.

If you’re suffering from piles, there are things that can be done to help, so don’t suffer in silence! It’s thought that by the age of 50, half of people have suffered with piles at least once. ABC News from the USA reported today (19^th December 2012) that ‘haemorrhoids’ was Google’s biggest health search term of 2012, so if you suffer with piles, it might be a relief to know that you’re not alone!

The Kegel8 Guide to Haemorrhoids/Piles & Your Pelvic Floor

What are Piles?

Haemorrhoids or Piles are swellings in and around the rectum and the anus that contain enlarged and swollen blood vessels. In most cases, people may not even know that they have them, but severe haemorrhoids can be painful and itchy.

What causes Piles?

It’s not known exactly what causes piles. Sometimes piles occur completely randomly, and they can happen to anyone, male or female, of any age. However, constipation is thought to be a trigger for piles as the straining can put pressure on the blood vessels in that area.

Other things which may increase your chances of getting haemorrhoids include:

• Being overweight
• Prolonged constipation
• Pregnancy
• Being over 50 – as you get older, your tissues get weaker, which increases your risk of getting piles
• Frequent heavy lifting
• Prolonged diarrhoea

It’s also thought that if people in your family have suffered from haemorrhoids, you may be more predisposed to suffering them too.

Are there different types of Piles?

Piles are classified as either first-, second-, third- or fourth-degree. First- and second-degree piles are the most common and the least severe.

First-Degree Piles – these are small swellings on the inside lining of the anus. These aren’t visible from the outside and heal themselves with conservative treatment.

Second-Degree Piles – these are larger swellings – they may appear when you go to the toilet, but then disappear back inside again. These can usually be cured with conservative treatment too.

Third-degree Piles – these are more severe. They are small lumps that are visible from outside the anus and hang down; they can be pushed back inside.

Fourth-degree Piles – these are the most severe type of piles and are large lumps that hang down outside the anus. They cannot be pushed back inside.

1^st and 2^nd degree piles usually settle down by themselves after a few days and don’t require any treatment. 3^rd and 4^th degree piles, if they are painful, may require treatment.

Treatment for Piles/Haemorrhoids

Treatment for 1^st and 2^nd degree piles is usually conservative and involves a few simple lifestyle changes – the main thing is to try to avoid constipation as much as possible by following these simple steps:

• Drink plenty of water to keep your movements soft and regular.
• Increase the amount of fibre in your diet by eating wholegrain breads, cereals, fruit and vegetables. Aim to eat 25-30g of insoluble fibre a day.

To soothe mild haemorrhoids, if they are sore or itchy:

• Use moist toilet paper to clean your bottom.
• Pat the area around your bottom rather than rubbing.
• Use over-the-counter creams. These do not cure haemorrhoids, but help with the symptoms of inflammation and itching.

Other treatments for haemorrhoids include:

• Corticosteroid Creams: this can be prescribed by your GP if the inflammation is particularly bad, but shouldn’t be used for more than a week.
• Painkillers: if your piles are particularly painful, you can take an over-the-counter painkiller such as paracetamol. Your doctor can also prescribe painkilling cream containing local anaesthetic.
• Laxatives: if you are constipated, this will make your piles worse. You can take over-the-counter laxatives such as those containing Senna, or your GP can prescribe laxatives.

If your piles/haemorrhoids are particularly severe and don’t respond to more conservative treatment options and lifestyle changes, then your doctor may refer you for a surgical procedure to help treat them. There are a number of different surgical treatments that can help to treat piles:

• Banding: this is a procedure that is used to treat third-degree piles. It involves a very tight elastic band being placed around the base of the haemorrhoid to cut off the blood supply. Within approximately seven days, the haemorrhoid should drop off. This is usually performed with a simple local anaesthetic and most people are back at work the next day, though you may feel some pain or discomfort for a couple of days.
• Injections/Sclerotherapy for Piles: this is where a chemical is injected directly into the blood vessels in your back passage. This works short-term by numbing the nerve endings which should relieve the pain, and it also works to harden the haemorrhoid so that after 4-6 weeks it should shrink or shrivel up. You should avoid exercise for a day or so and may feel some minor pain, but most people go back to work the next day.
• Surgery: for severe third and fourth degree piles, sometimes surgery is recommended if other treatments have not been successful. This involves curring out the haemorrhoids and is known as a haemorrhoidectomy. It is carried out under general anesthetic (you will be asleep) and you will need a week or so off work to recover.

Pelvic floor exercise for haemorrhoids?

It’s true – Kegels can help with piles! If you suffer from piles or constipation, it’s really important to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. NICE guidelines advise against using an anal probe if you’re suffering from haemorrhoids, but you can run our vaginal programmes (or programmes with skin electrodes) to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and help with hemorrhoids.

How do Kegel exercises help piles?

• They help to prevent haemorrhoids by increasing blood flow to the anal region and improving blood circulation – bad blood circulation contributes to developing hemorrhoids!
• Kegels strengthen anal muscles. Strong anal muscles provide good support for internal haemorrhoids and prevent existing ones from enlarging or protruding!
• If you’re suffering from piles, Kegels can help to tighten tissues and control leaking around the haemorrhoid problem areas.

The main thing is to try to avoid constipation. Not only can constipation lead to haemorrhoids and can aggravate them if you’re already suffering from piles, straining to go to the toilet is also really bad for your pelvic floor! Avoid constipation by eating plenty of fibre-rich foods and drinking plenty of water, and strengthen your pelvic floor to avoid and treat piles.

With a few simple lifestyle changes and Kegel8 exercises, you can help free yourself from the pain, itching and embarrassment of haemorrhoids and piles.

Why not try caffeine-free tea and coffee – most brands offer a caffeine-free alternative now and they really don’t taste so different.

Or how about flavoured tea’s – they make a great change as a warm drink that is far more refreshing than tea or coffee.

Set yourself restrictions like only drinking tea or coffee when you are visiting friends or relatives and stick to a caffeine-free alternative when you’re at home... or even better, water! Try boiled water with a slice of lemon for something warm with a little flavour.


Alcohol - most of us enjoy a tipple, especially at Christmas but there’s no denying it gets even the healthiest water-works dashing to the loo more than usual, not to mention if you already suffer with an overactive bladder or incontinence. Don’t worry, we’re not about to suggest we all go t-total.

Solution:

Try alternating your alcoholic drinks with water. This will help to dilute the alcohol in your bladder to reduce irritation… and of course another bonus is you are less likely to suffer a thick head the next day!

Although it seems a good idea to drink less water to stop yourself from needing the loo so often, it’s not. Drinking less water can make your urine more concentrated, irritating your bladder and making the urge to ‘go’ greater.


Weight gain - summer holidays and Christmas are definitely to two times of the year most of us are guaranteed to pile on a few extra pounds. Our first concern is usually unsightly lumps and bumps showing in our favourite party frock but what we should be worried about is our poor pelvic floor muscles having to support that extra weight.

Solution:

Buffets are always tough to be good with what you eat but try setting yourself a limit – one trip to the buffet only and fill your plate with the healthy carrot sticks and dips very few people touch. If you don’t trust your self-control, be one of the last to visit the buffet table – there’s less likely to be tempting sausage rolls and sticky buns left.

With the cold dark nights it becomes tempting to snuggling up on the couch with some good comfort foods like chocolate and crisps… set up a ‘visitors cupboard’ in your kitchen full of goodies when you have guests and a ‘snack cupboard’ for yourself and fill it with fresh fruit, dried fruit, veg sticks and dips for those night-time munchies.


Walking - It’s surprising how many miles we can cover on foot just by hitting the shops at Christmas for everyone’s gift. Although tiring, it’s all good exercise but watch your posture as you can have a negative impact on your pelvic floor – the key is to stand tall.

Solution:

Focus on your ‘push off’ with each step; feel your toes work to push you forward. By paying attention to your toes and letting them drive you forward you will decrease the impact on your heels in every step, reducing abrupt impact on your pelvic floor. This will also encourage hip extension and you’ll notice your chest naturally lifts making you walk taller for a healthier posture.


Coughs and colds - as hard as we try it’s nearly always impossible not to catch at least a sniffle at this time of year and sadly every cough and sneeze gives our pelvic floor a burst of pressure.

Solution:

Squeeze when you sneeze… or cough for that matter! This will help to balance out the pressure on your pelvic floor muscles and protect them. And when you’re done sneezing, why not carry on for another 10 or so ‘squeeze and lifts’ and feel pleased as punch that you’ve done an additional set of kegel exercises for the day!

Find a good vitamin c and take the recommended dose religiously to help keep your immune healthy and avoid a cold altogether.


Smoking - we know we don’t need to go into the health risks associated with smoking but did you know that studies have also found that smokers are one and a half times more likely to develop an overactive bladder than non-smokers. This is possibly caused by the effects of nicotine on the detrusor muscle (which contracts when you urinate) and also by the chronic cough that often comes with smoking – and if you smoke but this doesn’t apply to you right now, trust us, it will someday.

Solution:

Why not set your New Year’s Resolution now to quit – there are a million and one positives to stopping smoking for the good of your health and not to mention for the good of your bank balance!

If the chronic cough sounds familiar to you, remember to tense those pelvic floor muscles as you cough to help ease the pressure and protect your muscles.

So there you have it, our Kegel8 Christmas Tips on how best to care for your pelvic floor muscles.

Merry Christmas!

The Kegel8 Trainer is our brand-new, state-of-the-art pelvic trainer unit designed for use by women of all ages. Unlike our other Kegel8 devices, it is not a muscle stimulation device, but rather guides you through your manual Kegel exercises to make sure you exercise the correct muscles at the correct level for you. It also features 'biofeedback' that means you can tell you are exercising the kegel muscles correctly and see how stong your squeeze is too!

The Kegel8 Trainer features two modes, Test and Train. In Test mode, the Kegel8 trainer asks you to squeeze against the probe five times, and from this, gauges your level on what’s known as the Squeeze Scale, and then guides you through the appropriate exercises for your level in Train mode.

The Squeeze Scale is a unique feature on the Kegel8 Trainer and is a great way to see how your pelvic floor exercises are progressing. If your Squeeze Scale is low, the Kegel8 trainer will guide you through a range of exercises tailored to your level and you’ll quickly be able to see your Squeeze Scale level climbing as your pelvic floor muscles become stronger! The Squeeze Scale ranges from 1-9, the average being about 5 so there is always something higher to aim for, even if you think you’re a Kegel pro!

The Kegel8 Trainer comes with a special inflatable probe. You insert the probe and then the machine guides you through inflating it to a comfortable level. It even warns you if you’ve over-inflated it, so that you can get your exercises just right. You then squeeze against the probe with your pelvic floor muscles for super-effective Kegel exercises that work the correct muscles, every time. With simple manual Kegel exercises, it’s so easy to clench the wrong muscles, but with the Kegel8 Trainer you will get it right every time.

The Kegel8 Trainer features voice-prompt commands so that you know when to squeeze and lift your kegel muscles and when to relax the muscles, because when Kegel exercising, the relax phases are just as important as the tighten phases. Like any other muscle, the pelvic floor needs the relax phases to recover and to give you the very best results when exercising. One kegel exercise session takes just 10 minutes - time well spent indeed!

Kegel8 Trainer exercises in Train Mode work both the ‘fast twitch’ and ‘slow twitch’ muscle fibres in your pelvic floor. The fast twitch fibres work quickly to hold in urine when you sneeze, jump, cough etc and the slow twitch fibres work constantly to support your pelvic organs. Kegel8 Trainer’s exercises offer different tighten and relax patterns to ensure that you work both of the different types of muscle fibres to give you the very best results.

The Kegel8 Trainer is a simple and effective way to ensure that you’re exercising correctly and at the right level for you. With voice prompts and on-screen instructions it’s user friendly and an ideal way for women of all ages to strengthen their pelvic floor. Whether you’re a younger women wanting to prepare your body for pregnancy, a women with stress incontinence wanting to avoid leaks or whether you just want to strengthen your pelvic floor to prevent future problems, avoid incontinence and stay tight for life, the Kegel8 Trainer is perfect for you.

Keep an eye out for the Kegel8 Trainer, coming mid-December – a revolution in Kegel exercise.

What’s your Squeeze Scale?

The specialist health organisation Medilink Yorkshire & Humber supports health technology and life sciences businesses like us at Kegel8. They help to guide us through the complex world of health product innovation so that we can grow our businesses and get our inventions out to as many people as possible who can really benefit from them.

Each year Medilink recognises outstanding achievements in Healthcare Business. We travelled to Sheffield and soaked up the stunning surroundings of Cutlers’ Hall, a beautiful Grade II listed building that was just perfect for the ceremony.

There were five awards in total: the Medipex Award for Partnership with the NHS, the Creative Sheffield Outstanding Achievement Award, The UKTI Award for Export Achievement, the University of Sheffield Healthcare Gateway Innovation Award and the University of Sheffield Innovation Centres Start-Up Award - the award we were shortlisted for.

And we won! It was such an honour just to be shortlisted, but we were over the moon to collect our award. It’s wonderful that the Kegel8 has been recognised as such an important and influential product.

So many women have already thanked us for helping them to make their pelvic floor strong, but winning at Medilink will only help to spread the word to even more women about the power of Kegel8-ing. Plus, winning at the Yorkshire & Humber awards means we’re automatically shortlisted for the National finals in London in March. Keep your fingers crossed; it won’t be long before Kegel8 takes over the world!

It's winter and given past experiences we are all preparing for massive amounts of snow.  The change of weather mixed with hiking through knee deep snow drifts and digging your car out has left you with a nasty cold or flu. Wonderful! If that wasn't bad enough, imagine if you also have stress incontinence!

We are all familiar with the sneeze-pee or the cough-pee. On regular days they are troublesome but when you can't stop sneezing or coughing it just adds to the misery! When you're in bed feeling like death warmed up, the last thing you want to think about is incontinence pads.

Just as you exercise good healthy habits to avoid getting sick in the first place, you should also be exercising your pelvic floor as well. When you have a fit immune system, you're less likely to catch a cold or flu. When you have a fit pelvic floor, you're less likely to wet your pants when you cough or sneeze. It makes sense doesn’t it?

If you've been lucky enough to avoid getting sick so far this year, practice now for the next time you feel a tickle in your nose. Don't forget to brace you pelvic floor before you let loose with a sneeze and see if it makes a difference. Keep this up and before long it will become second nature to clench before a cough or sneeze. You will find your knickers will stay drier. Then, when you do come down with the inevitable cold or flu, your pelvic floor will be ready to bear the extra strain!

Something else to keep in mind, if you are laid up in bed and you're taking a decongestant, it could worsen incontinence symptoms! Decongestants have a side effect of tightening the urinary sphincter. They're also known to cause urinary retention and overflow incontinence! All the more reason to prepare yourself now before it's too late!

Don't Forget - Squeeze before you sneeze!

Funny Women is a business which helps new women to break into the comedy scene and to help women find their voice. They also run workshops and showcases to mentor aspiring comedians and to inspire women to use humour in their everyday lives, in business and in other areas.

Friday sees their ‘Sex, Lies and Lots of Cake’ event which is an exploration of how to write and perform female comedy and has four special guests who are women leading double lives as comedy writers and performers. The aim is to encourage women to speak out and find their comedy voice.

And what’s more: there’s lots of cake provided by The Albert’s Deli, London Deli of the Year!

Kegel8 are proud to sponsor this Funny Women event, because there’s no use being funny if you suffer from laughter leaks because of a weak pelvic floor! The guests at Sex, Lies and Lots of Cake will be treated to a Kegel8 goody bag with a special limited edition Kegel8 item and a few other treats inside!

Journalists at the event will also be able to have a sneak preview of our brand-new device, the Kegel8 Trainer – a state of the art pelvic floor trainer with a unique ‘Squeeze Scale’ which measures the strength of your pelvic floor! How strong is your squeeze? With the Kegel8 Trainer you’ll be able to find out!

MEDICA is the world’s largest event for the medical sector and it is the first time Kegel8 has exhibited. For more than 40 years it has been firmly established on every health and medical expert’s calendar so we are enthusuastic to get the Kegel8 call out to women and men around the world

This week, Kegel8 has ventured out of the office to the Medica Fair in Düsseldorf to show our best-selling range of leading pelvic floor exercise devices.

It’s going well, (apart from a slight mix up with our stand number when we arrived!), but we’re here and settled now, so if you’re at Medica, please pop over to see us in Hall 16, Stand F10-04.

You can come and see our fantastic range of Kegel8 products - because we live, eat abd breath pelvic floor exercise! We are also including some very exciting up and coming new items to our award winning range.

We’re also looking for International distributors, so come over to see us; we would love to meet you!

What's the secret of the 'Panty O'?

It’s a concealed jelly type exerciser that is 'worn' internally.

It's an inch in height and fixed into the gusset of the panty.

The makers claim that this 'insertable pelvic exerciser' actually helps the wearer to remember to do her kegel exercises. We certainly think they would be hard to forget with this rascal in place!

The makers also claim that the wearer will be able to 'relieve stress throughout the day'. Not too sure about that one, however if you are serious about pelvic floor exercises and strengthening your kegels we'd recommend you opt for a Kegel8 Tight and Tone - for more effective, orgasmic results!

Double Whammy

We hear it every day here at Kegel8 - it's hard to feel good about yourself when your body is falling apart around you. Physiotherapist Sue Croft says 'I love this inspirational one liner from Arthur Ashe ‘Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.’ Sue adds 'To everyone with pelvic floor dysfunction- just make the decision to make an intervention, just start!'  So, if you do need to lose weight to help your pelvic floor or prolapse make sure you start to love yourself because that will make your diet more of a success.

Give Your Diet a Helping Hand!

Dr Pedro Teixeira from The Technical University of Lisbon has conducted research revealing that if you improve your body image your diet and weight loss programme will be more successful.  “Body image problems are very common amongst overweight and obese people, often leading to comfort eating and more rigid eating patterns, and are obstacles to losing weight.'

One group of women were given general health information about good nutrition, stress management, and the importance of looking after themselves whilst the other (intervention) group of dieters attended 30 weekly group sessions where issues such as exercise, emotional eating, improving body image and the recognition of, and how to overcome, personal barriers to weight loss and lapses from the diet were discussed. 

The intervention group women found that the way they thought about their body improved and that concerns about body shape and size were reduced. They were better able to self-regulate their eating and they lost much more weight, losing on average 7% of their starting weight compared to less than 2% for the control group. 

Dr Teixeira adds 'Our results showed a strong correlation between improvements in body image, especially in reducing anxiety about other peoples’ opinions, and positive changes in eating behaviour'.

So make the change today and start your journey to a stronger more confident pelvic floor. Your body is beautiful even if it is not as robust as it used to be, even if it leaks and pours.

Let's make a start now and get on with loving ourselves because we are all beautiful.

Q. I'm a 44 year old mum of three and I seem to have lost sensation down below. I don't want to have sex with my husband anymore and I think that if I can't feel it then he probably can't either.

I also leak a bit when I have an orgasm or sneeze, I am so embarrassed and don't know what to do. Please don't tell me to see my Doctor as I would not be able to talk about it. Even if I could have an operation to fix it. I can't take time off and would struggle with childcare.

I have also heard surgery is painful and not that effective. I can't talk to my husband and I feel so ashamed like an old granny.                 Shelley

A. Your husband probably does not notice to the same extent and you mention having orgasms so it seems you have lost tightness rather than sensation.

Many women find they get muscle weakening after childbirth so they lose sensation and can leak a bit when they cough or laugh. It is easily fixed with pelvic floor muscle strengthening moves called kegel exercises but it takes time to see the results.

Instead you can buy a Kegel8 - a small probe you insert. It contracts your muscles and is painless. It works quickly and is so discreet you can do it whilst watching TV in bed or and no one will ever know.

Surgeons recommend it and using it will restore tightness and sensation and should stop the leaking.

Ex Page 3 girl Nicola laughed so hard that she wets herself. She is seen to laugh off the incontinence episode by saying 'I've wee'd a little bit'. Fellow diner Sally Morgan chips in 'She's just pee'd her pants...she's gonna need Tenas tomorrow and I don't mean Tenners!'

Newsworthy? Not really - but what's more important is that one in 3 women suffer with incontinence yet it is very often seen as a normal part of childbirth and ageing - it isn't! Nicola says 'I've had 2 children; my pelvic floor's not what it used to be'.

Get that girl a Kegel8.

 Our plea to all women is don't 'pad the problem' because it won't get any better if you don't kegel exercise - quite the opposite - it will get steadily worse. That is why we are currently facing an epidemic of pelvic organ prolapse - half of all women over the age of 55 will suffer some form of prolapse.

Whilst we might laugh at the young glamorous woman wetting herself on national TV, let's not laugh too hard - because if we don't kegel exercise we'll be sitting in damp panties too. Not sexy.

Please wait for the video to load below, this could take some time depending on your internet connection.

Following on from the series I ordered the book Pure, White and Deadly by British Scientist John Yudkin - it makes sober reading. Back in 1972 he warned that sugar was bad for our health - he was ignored by the medical profession and the food industry. I'll say ignored - there could be a conspiracy theory here that he was discredited and vilified by the food industry wanting to push sugar, especially corn syrup but I shall leave that to others to contemplate.

Why we should heed John Yudkin's warnings about sugar:

• One in four adults in the UK is overweight
• There is an epidemic of obese 6 year olds around the world
• Sugar consumption has tripled since the Second World War.

Could Sugar be to blame for the epidemic of Prolapse and Pelvic Floor Problems?

You bet it can! Excess weight means you have a higher risk of suffering from high blood pressure, gallstones, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol & triglycerides, stroke and coronary artery disease. However that excess weight also takes its toll on your pelvic floor by overloading it and potentially weakening it so much that pelvic organs such as your bladder,uterus and bowel fall out of position. This is what's known as prolapse - and 50% of women will suffer prolapse by the time they are 55.

Yes, that’s excess weight - but you can't directly blame Sugar for this can you?

When we consume sugar the molecules bond onto fats and proteins in a process known as glycation. Glycation forms end products (known as AGEs), which cause protein fibres, collagen and elastin fibres to become stiff and malformed resulting in connective-tissue damage. So basically the 'good' proteins in our skin and muscles that keep our skin and muscles springy and supple are attacked by sugar (and sugar products) so they become weak and less supple.

Sugar not only gives us facial wrinkles it wrinkles our pelvic floor too - it takes the elasticity out of muscle fibres and ligaments of the pelvic floor leaving it brittle and prone to prolapse and incontinence.

So, think of your facial wrinkles and your pelvic floor next time you consume sugar, because as John Yudkin said back in 1972  'Sugar is killing us' and he may well be right.

 Crikey, when I got over the shock of the 'normalising of prolapse' it was reassured by Sues point of view  - her  no-nonsense approach is one that all women should follow.

 'The good thing about that statement is many women get very anxious when discovering they have prolapse and feel they are ‘damaged’ and must get urgent surgery to ‘fix things up’. But maybe what they need to do is be very pro-active with prolapse prevention strategies, brace with increased intra-abdominal pressure, regular pelvic floor exercises, use the new position for emptying your bowels and defecation dynamics, avoid lifting heavy weights, avoid straining at stool and no sit-ups curl-ups and crunches.'

Thanks goodness there are pelvic floor Gurus like Sue Croft.

Sue Croft is the author of Pelvic Floor Recovery - A Physiotherapy Guide for Gynaecological Repair Surgery available here in the UK at StressNoMore.co.uk

I remember it well. Our sewing teacher had made a 'Jim'll Fix It' puppet, cookery teachers baked celebration Union Jack cakes and buns and the entire school rolled out the red carpet. Susan Parker and I were chosen on behalf of the school to present him with the puppet and pose for the local newspaper.

Yes, in those days it was front page stuff because he was a 'Celeb'. Today his front page status is for an entirely different reason.

The one thing that I hope has come out of the awful stories of the children and youngsters molested, groped and raped by Jimmy Savile and other predatory paedophiles is that these victims must be given a voice and heard.

The victims of sexual abuse not only carry mental scars of the ordeal but also the physical scars in their pelvic floor. A survey by a specialst pelvic health clinic in Holland found that 23% of the female patients reported a history of sexual abuse. Patients with a history of sexual abuse reported multiple pelvic floor complaints ranging from problems with urination (micturition), defecation and sexual response. The non-abuse patients had significantly less pelvic floor problems and usually presented with just one problem, as opposed to the abuse victims presenting with multiple pelvic floor problems.

This is the unreported side of abuse that is indelibly seared into the pelvic floor of many victims that will remain with them for life. We praise all victims for the courage they have shown in coming forward, and understand why others have not and hope that these recent revelations can bring about a fundamental change so that in future we can better protect our children.

Source

Photograph copyright Newark Advertiser

Multiple pelvic floor complaints are correlated with sexual abuse history. Department of Urology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Fibroids are small tumours that grow in or on the wall of the womb, the number and size can vary - fibroids are not cancerous but they do cause a lot of discomfort including heavy periods, painful periods and irregular periods. It is thought that oestrogen stimulates the growth of fibroids and menopausal women seldom suffer with condition. Fibroids can range from the size of a walnut to larger than a grapefruit and they grow and shrink according to hormone levels.

It is estimated that as many as 3 out of 4 women have uterine fibroids sometime during their lives and whilst some women do experience pelvic pain with fibroids, many do not even realise they have them.

However if fibroids press on other pelvic organs, such as the bladder or bowel you may experience problems of incontinence and faecal incontinence. As added pressure is applied to your bladder by the fibroids the potential for suffering with urinary incontinence, or the loss of bladder control, as well as the possibility of frequent urination increases. Not only can this cause a great deal of pelvic pain and discomfort, but it can also be embarrassing.

Surgical Treatment for Fibroids

• Removing the fibroids from the uterus surgically (myomectomy)
• Hysterectomy - removal of the womb

Other (non surgical) Treatments for Fibroids

• Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) a non-surgical procedure that deprives fibroids of their blood supply so they shrink in size.
• Medication to balance hormone levels within your body.

Natural Treatments for Fibroids

Balancing your hormones, especially oestrogen levels is essential. Supplements used to naturally reduce the growth of fibroids, include garlic, L-arginine and extracts of shiitake or maitake mushrooms. Other helpful nutritional supplements that can possibly help to shrink uterine fibroids include coenzyme Q10, zinc, vitamin A and C. Ideally you need to follow a healthy diet to balance your hormone levels naturally.

Kegel Exercise can help with Fibroids and Pelvic Pain

By strengthening your pelvic floor using kegel or pelvic floor exercises, you will ensure that your pelvic area is strong and healthy as possible. Kegel8 not only strengthens your pelvic floor, helping to prevent incontinence and frequency of urination it also helps with pelvic pain from the fibroids too. The Kegel8 Ultra gently relaxes the pelvic floor when you are suffering with the pain from fibroids and has a special programme designed for this treatment (P01 Pelvic Pain Relief).

Puzzled 'boyfriend' Richard Neill posted a comment on the Facebook page of Bodyform on 8 October, explaining how confused he was after seeing their adverts for their period panty pads.

Richard says that as a boy he watched jolly, carefree women cavorting along the beach and hurling themselves out of airplanes, having 'blue water' periods that gave them fun-sounding 'wings', all to the soundtrack of the raunchy 'Woah Bodyform' theme song.

Bodyform responds to Richards facebook post with a 2 minute film from 'boss' Caroline Williams who proceeds to tell Richard exactly how it is. Classic PR stuff and one to raise a smile all round!

As an aside Bodyform Panty Pad manufacturers spend a whopping £25 million pounds a year on advertising - this is one occasion when an ad has gone viral - over 2 million hits on You Tube to date, for very little cost.

Crikey - I wish Kegel8 could get that kind of exposure! Enjoy!

First of all I must congratulate you for tackling such a taboo subject as incontinence as you did in the piece that appeared yesterday.   

This really is the last taboo Justine, and we here at Kegel8 try to do our best to educate and inform women of options and to try to instil in them that like brushing your teeth, pelvic floor exercises are a vital part of looking after your body and need to be done daily.

However, the emphasis of the piece by Carol Davies is on surgical procedures to solve the problem but NICE recommends pelvic floor exercises as a front line treatment and you mention that "Many women do them incorrectly and get no benefit".  This is indeed the case which is why physiotherapists also use a range of pelvic floor exercisers.  You go on to say that "These exercises are very effective, especially when taught by a physiotherapist who can also use a scan to show women which muscles to use"  

At Kegel8 we have women who come to us for advice and buy our products because they can't get appointments with physiotherapists. We also have women who have suffered for years with light bladder weakness'- the occasional drop here and there.  They don't realise that this is a warning sign that the pelvic floor is weak and pelvic organs could prolapse.

One in every 4 women suffers bladder weakness and one in 10 of those will also develop faecal incontinence. This is serious life-changing stuff for a woman:    It affects not only her but her husband and family;  Some women who will not leave their home because they are afraid of 'accidents';   Some won't have sex because they afraid of being smelly or leaking urine during intercourse; and 25% will suffer depression because of the condition.

We at Kegel8 don't like to use the word 'incontinence' because it's just not sexy and conjures up pictures of 'old smelly women' - but that just isn't the case! For example, 25% of female college varsity athletes lose urine when doing provocative exercise, and most do not consider it a problem; indeed, most experts would agree that these young women do not have a major health problem.

Surgery is the right option for some women but many of these procedures are temporary but women are rarely told this. Surgery cannot strengthen a pelvic floor, but exercise and physiotherapy will. Surgery merely treats the symptoms (leaking urine or faeces) - and that's great - ask any woman who's has a successful TVT op and she'll be delighted - but many TVT operations fail after 9 -18 months, because the pelvic floor is not supporting the organs properly and their symptoms will return. Many women undergo repeated TVT operations - each less successful than the last.

Even in the depths of a recession we are seeing record sales as more and more women are looking to strengthen their bodies - women who are unwilling to put up with 'laughter leaks', reduced sexual sensation and a loose pelvic floor. 'Sisters are doing it for themselves' - women are telling their daughters and Mothers (there is a genetic link, if your Mum had a hysterectomy chances it is because she had a weak pelvic floor and you'll suffer too) and preventing the misery of embarrassment and ignorance.

And of course, a healthy pelvic floor is an orgasmic pelvic floor, so let's hear it for those women looking after themselves and having better leak free sex than ever before.

Yours faithfully

Stephanie Taylor

Managing Director

A Daily Mail Article featuring Mark Slack, a consultant urogynaecologist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge seems to have prompted some very painful comments from women about the mesh TVT operation in particular – here’s just a taster.

Gill from Bristol says ‘In a recent survey 62% of GP practices just gave out an exercise sheet despite the fact that there are no clinical trials or NICE recommendations that show that handing out a leaflet is an effective treatment’

M49tan from Farnham says ‘I had a mesh TVT Operation in 2003, and have suffered since 2005... I suffer much pain in the groin which spreads up to the shoulders and everywhere else.... this is widespread inflammation caused by this MESH TVT, so if you have these symptoms having had one of these MESH DEVICES it is due to this MESH....if you have an autoimmune condition that too will be made worse’.

Elaine in Glasgow says ‘It is worrying that Dr Slack and others play down the risks associated with TVT devices. Yesterday, Australia announced a large class action against a leading mesh manufacturer - New Zealand did likewise last week & USA & Canada are inundated with adverse incidents regarding these devices’

Dinkydo in Farnborough comments ‘I bet they don't tell the unsuspecting patient of the all the explants they are doing!! My life has been ruined beyond repair!’

Candid and shockingly sad comments from DM readers. Whilst we congratulate The Daily Mail for featuring this article about the taboo and un-sexy subject of prolapse, bladder weakness and adult incontinence - thats urine and possibly faecal incontinence too. We wanted them to know that surgery is not the only option - as 1000's of Kegel8 users already know!

Here's our letter to Justine Hancock, the Editor of Good Health.

Vitamin D

However a recent report in the British Medical Journal stated that “more than 50% of the UK’s adult population have insufficient vitamin D levels, and 16% have a severe deficiency during winter and spring.”

As the bad weather approaches we’re thinking that Vitamin D levels could be about to plummet...

Why should I take a Vitamin D supplement?

Here are 3 good reasons - and they can all have a positive effect on your pelvic floor!

Diet and Weight Loss

If your Vitamin D levels are good your diet will be more successful than if you are deficient in this super natural-wonder. What’s more important is a recent trial they found that higher levels of vitamin D predicted a greater loss of abdominal fat. That’s the hard-to-rid-of ‘fat around the middle’ that is detrimental to your pelvic floor and your health! The researchers also linked Vitamin D deficiency with obesity.

Period Pains

A Group of 40 women suffering with period pain and low levels of vitamin D were given either a single dose of vitamin D five days before the start of their menstrual period or a placebo.  After 2 months the Vitamin D women reported that their pain scores had decreased by 41% - there was no pain decrease in the placebo group.
The Vitamin D takers also noted they did not need anti-inflammatory drugs during their period compared to 40% in the placebo group who needed medication at least once.

Pelvic Floor Disorders

The higher the Vitamin D levels the lower the levels of pelvic floor disorders.

Wow! So does that mean we don’t have to Kegel exercise for the rest of lives and we can just drop a Vitamin D tablet? Not exactly, kegel exercise should be like brushing your teeth – something you do twice daily without fail! But we found it very interesting that the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that 23% of the women surveyed with significantly lower than average vitamin D levels reported at least one pelvic floor disorder and/or urinary incontinence, irrespective of their age.

Surely pelvic floor problems can’t be solved that easily? Well the researchers also found that the likelihood of adult incontinence was significantly reduced in women aged 50 and older with vitamin D levels 30 ng/mL or higher.

Health professional recommend that any supplement be taken with care, and ideally you should test your Vitamin D levels first to see if you have a deficiency first before using high doses of Vitamin D. A good multivitamin or mineral with added Vitamin D could be the answer to helping your pelvic floor, diet and period pains all in one!

 "Squeeze before you sneeze"

Known as the Pelvic Brace, or bracing the pelvic floor, this simple technique can help you to keep dry from those awful sneeze and laughter leaks and protect your pelvic floor too – especially if you have prolapsed and you know your pelvic floor is particularly weak.

How do you Kegel brace?

Contract your pelvic floor when you feel a sneeze building – as you do when you perform a kegel exercise so that the excessive pressure won’t catch those fast twitch fibres napping and leave you wet. The fast twitch fibres of your pelvic floor are the ones that contract quickly to keep in your urine, wind and poo – you need to exercise these by performing fast kegel exercises – usually squeeze and lift for 1 or 2 seconds and relax for 1 or 2 seconds – go on – try it now! It’s not always as easy as you think but these are vital for minimising accidents and further pelvic damage.

By bracing your pelvic floor you are helping to support your pelvic organs, this is vital not only if you have a weak pelvic floor and suffer with wetness, but also if you have prolapsed organs or have had surgery.

Great new too that The Cardiff University Common Cold Centre have said results from their clinical studies prove that Echinacea can reduce colds by 26% also taking it can also reduce the duration of the cold  - this could really help your pelvic floor this winter!

According to the Show some 84% of women who responded to their survey have a bladder weakness problem and while some may opt for a medical solution, a great many will want to find an alternative to surgery.

Pelvic Floor Exercises are the first line treatment for a weak pelvic floor as recommended by NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) but we all know these muscles are notoriously difficult to locate let alone exercise.

Kegel8’s Managing Director Stephanie Taylor says:

‘Wearing a pad is like sticking a plaster over the problem - Government figures state 1 in 3 women suffer,  but Lorraine’s figure of 84% is, I think, more realistic. Some women think that bladder weakness is a natural result of childbirth and ageing and are unaware that the problem will get worse in time to the extent that 50% of women will suffer prolapse. Kegel exercises should be as natural and routine for women as cleaning our teeth – twice a day for a few minutes.   At Kegel8 we’ve taken the guesswork out of Kegel Exercises and our registered medical devices do the pelvic floor exercise for you. We are passionate about educating women about their importance and dedicated to helping women stay in control whatever their age!’ 

I did not want to have surgery so for the past two years I have embarked on pelvic floor exercises and a biofeedback device to help locate and effectively strengthen my muscles. My anal sphincter muscle is strong (that’s the bit that keep the poo in) but I have trouble passing a motion and need to be careful not to strain and this is not helped by my weakened pelvic floor possibly following a hysterectomy.

Most of the time I feel as though I need to go to the toilet, it feels like an uncomfortable bulge, but I have learned to live with it. I have found that using a Femmeze does help me to pass a motion (I call it my poo-stick), it is better than gloving up and manually adjusting the prolapse. I do not want to endure further surgery and do my best to tackle this with diet – lots of flax seeds, exercise and healthy living. I have found that as I have understood more about my IBS, my prolapse and pelvic floor seem better, I feel stronger mentally for tackling this too! However there is nothing worse than having a IBS flare up and the prolapse as well.

I have found that using the Kegel8 Ultra on the prolapse programme helps me to strengthen my pelvic floor muscles, I use it in the morning (vaginally) and this seems to stimulate a natural bowel movement – which is a real plus for me. I hope this helps other sufferers and lets them know that surgery is not always the only option, and I know for some it is not an option, but strengthening my body and learning to handle my conditions has really helped me to understand more about my body and get on with life.  

Sarah Jayne 46

An innovative pharmaceutical company in India has just launched a vagina tightening cream, claiming it can make women feel "like a virgin" again. The company says it is a triumph for women and will help to empower them by ‘rejuvenating and tightening’.

Of course, India is also famous for the Kamasutra - the oldest book about erotic love. Originally it was written in Sanskrit the literary language of ancient India, probably in North India so an instant ‘virginification’ cream should not raise eyebrows; however seems that the India of today is very conservative. Whilst some critics feel that the cream could give younger women an inferiority complex the debate rages on about Indian women preserving their virginity before marriage, double standards (men are not expected to) and the pressures that young women are under.

Airing on national TV the ’18 Again’ Bollywood style advert shows a young woman dancing with her husband and singing ‘I feel like a virgin again’ watched on by shocked and curious relative. Her Mother-in-law is later seen buying the product online for herself.

Dr Nisreen Nakhoda, a GP in India who advises on sexual health is sceptical about how 18 Again can actually work. "Tightening the vagina is done by the vaginal muscles so I don't know how a local cream can do the job," she says, but believes it has the potential to do well in India.

With a Kegel8 you can achieve vaginal rejuvenation and a ‘designer vagina’ within weeks in the safest way possible – no creams necessary – and enjoy the results of a stronger, healthier pelvic floor for the rest of your life. No cream can strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and prevent incontinence and prolapse so let’s hear it for Kegel8.

India needs Kegel8 to make women strong and healthy for loving, having babies and living - maybe we should we launch in India.

Urinary incontinence is frequent among young childless women who practice physical activities and sports. It seems that high-impact sport that demands maximum effort increases the risk factor for developing urinary incontinence. Stress urinary incontinence is the most common form of bladder weakness for elite athletes. How can this be when these women are slim, super-fit and in peak condition, many training for hours every day? Intense physical exertion exaggerates intra-abdominal pressure with a possible overload on the pelvic organs forcing them downwards. Prolonged exposure to pressure at this level can injure the supporting muscles of the pelvic organs.

Gymnastics and running were the sports that showed the highest urine loss. In a recent  study, 156 athletes with an average age of just 19.9 years responded to the questionnaire - 28% reported losing urine during their sporting activity.

What can be done to help our Olympians?

By highlighting urinary incontinence problems amongst elite athletes it helps to make these young women and their coaches aware of the problem and gain a greater understanding of their bodies. Once they are aware of the tell-tale signs of a weak pelvic floor they can learn to strengthen where they need it most. We need to make sure that our next generation of female Olympians do not suffer through ignorance and embarrassment.

Physical education professionals and Sports Coaches are responsible for sports teaching and learning about physical activities so this should form part of their training to ensure that all their future female athletes can be trained to support and strengthen their pelvic floors and exercise correctly to counteract the strains that their chosen sport exerts upon it. 

Sadly for 1 in 4 of our female Olympians results indicate that urinary incontinence early in life is a strong predictor of urine incontinence later in life too.

References

Are former female elite athletes more likely to experience urinary incontinence later in life than non-athletes? K. Bø¹, J. Sundgot-Borgen²  Nov 2008

In recession Britain we need as much good news as we can get so sharing in his success this weekend is as welcome as saying goodbye to the recent rains and floods. Hopefully the combination of ‘Bradley-cycle-mania’, good weather and visions of those uber-fit Olympians will trickle down to us couch potatoes and trigger a whole new wave of cycling activity. It’s about time too, because a recent OECD report found Britain has the highest rates of overweight and obesity in the EU – making us almost as fat as our American counterparts.

An impressive 27 million of us here in the UK own bikes – no-doubt that figure is rising rapidly following Bradley's success – however, many of us just don’t use them. Kegel8 is here to tell you – it’s time to get on your bike, and here’s why:

• Cycling is perfect if you have a weak pelvic floor or pelvic organ prolapse (POP) – because it isn't a weight-bearing exercise, and your body is supported.
• Cycling burns up 300 calories an hour. A recent study looking into menopause and stress incontinence found that it wasn’t menopause itself that caused bladder weakness it was the weight gained during menopause that caused the incontinence.
• Cycling is good for your heart – cycle 20 miles a week and you’ll reduce the chance of suffering heart problems by half.

The Bike Seat Dilema

We love you Bradley – but you can keep your drop handle bars and your razor sharp bike seat.

Bike seats have been shown to cause erection problems in men and it seems that we females are not immune either. In a recent Yale study women cyclists (compared to runners) reported less genital sensation - now as many of us know, a weak pelvic floor and POP can also reduce intimate sensation and this is just what we don’t need to hear. We want to be fit, we want to be healthy with a strong pelvic floor and by-goodness – we want that sexy-sensation back again!

The Yale researchers found that if we lean forward, flatten our back and put our hands on the “drop bars” for an aerodynamic position we put more pressure on our perineum and this causes the problem. So how can we avoid a ‘numb crotch’? Simple - adjust your handle bars up, sit up straight and invest in a comfy bike seat! Larger seats offer more support so you can sit on all three ‘sit’ bones (tripod) and seats with a hollowed out centre takes the pressure off your perineum completely.

Therapist Tasha Mulligan, on the Prolapse Health Forum says ‘Riding my bike requires me to hinge at the hips and reach forward with my arms in perfect posture to lift "everything" by drawing all the connective tissue and fascial supports taught, as you are required to keep your chest up and head up when riding. So great for my prolapse. And as for seats...comfortable means something different to every rider. Knowing that you should aim to be riding with pressure on your "tripod", often a middle depression or cut out will decrease the friction up front on your pubic bone.’

Let us know how you get on (not literally) with the bike riding and let’s see if we get fit and strong together!

Jane Curtis Pelvic Floor Clinical Nurse Specialist CNS RGN DPSN

A strong pelvic floor is crucial for the prevention of pelvic floor prolapse.  This encompasses prolapse of the vaginal walls, bladder, uterus and bowel.  The weakening of these muscles can also lead to diminished sexual sensation and reduced libido, stress incontinence, a reduction in bowel and flatus control.  Some may also experience discomfort during intercourse.

These are not uncommon problems and can be anything from a minor aggravation for sufferers to the cause of major changes in lifestyle, distress and discomfort.  Recent studies have shown that 80% of women suffer with symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction during their lifetime.

Conservative treatment of PFD has developed significantly over recent decades to the extent that surgery for correction of prolapse and incontinence can, in many cases, be avoided. The Department of Health’s National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends ‘first line conservative treatment’ of these problems. 

Pelvic neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) provides effective treatment in PFD symptoms.  A low frequency of 10hz will strengthen the ‘slow twitch’ fibres while a higher frequency improves the performance of the ‘fast twitch’ pelvic muscle fibres.  Treatment is delivered through a small hand held pelvic neuromuscular stimulation Unit which can also be programmed by a specialist according to individual electromyography (EMG) results prior to beginning the treatment.  Depending on the degree of muscle dysfunction at onset the programme settings may be adjusted as the course progresses. The duration of treatment is often variable and determined by the preliminary EMG tests.  Further EMG tests are performed as treatment progresses to monitor the pelvic floor pressures.

Jane Curtis currently works as the Pelvic Floor Clinical Nurse Specialist at Dorset County Hospital and is part of the Pan Dorset Specialist Pelvic Floor Team. 

Jane has had a specialist interest in bowel and bladder dysfunction for over twelve years and was appointed in 2007 to set up and develop the specialist conservative Pelvic Floor Service for the population of West Dorset.  The Service is now part of a global Service for Dorset incorporating Poole Hospital in the east.

She has spoken nationally on conservative pelvic floor treatment at both nursing and medical conferences including the Royal College of Surgeons and Oxford Pelvic Floor Masterclass.

Please refer to the website for more detailed information: www.janecurtispelvicfloor.co.uk.

Taking Kegels Seriously!

Health Sense - Charlotte Pearson makes sense of how to have a healthy spring.

LAI – light adult incontinence is a sign that you have a weak pelvic floor, so too are those “It doesn’t feel the same anymore” intimate moments. No matter how many times you practice your “squeeze and release” exercises if your pelvic floor is weak, it won’t get stronger and you’ll become demoralised…

Top-of-the-range, the Kegel8 Ultra is an electronic pelvic exerciser designed to give you the most effective results ever. The Kegel8 Ultra is by far the besr pelvic exercise machine available in the world today.

What makes it so different? Well it exercises your muscles on simultaneous levels, rather than the single level of the Kegel8 Tight & Tone. This means that the muscles fibres and nerves that make up your pelvic floor get the most effective stimulatione very time.

We all know the signs of pelvic floor weakness, a few laughter leaks, not quite making the loo in time, not to mention those illusice orgasms.  For many women however, the scenario is far more serious; “heaviness” in the pelvic region can be the first sign of a prolapse and a staggering 40% of women will have some form of prolapse by the time they are 50. Lifestyle, age and weight-gain pose a great threat to the pelvic floor and regualr use of the Kegel8 Ultra will ensure that you maintain a toned and supportive pelvic floor for the rest of your life. Many of us find pelvic floor exercises really difficult, feeling as though we are just not doing them properly or worse still, we just forget ot do them.

The Kegel8 Ultra makes pelvic floor exercising easy; simply choose the programme that’s right for you, insert the ergonomic probe and relax as it gives your pelvic floor the most thorough work-out ever!

It features 14 Physiotherapist designed programmes to combat conditions such as light adult incontinence, prolapse, lack of sensation and muscle looseness. Lasting between 20-45 minutes each programme exercises the muscles and fibres with your pelvic floor, invigorating and strengthening them – you’ll notice amazing results in weeks. The sensation is totally painless and you’ll be delighted with the new-found control and strength.

The Kegel8 Ultra is particularly recommended if you suffer with stress incontinence, urge incontinence, prolapse, or have undergone surgery for any of these conditions. It is also advised for pelvic pain, lack of sensation and getting back into shape after the birth of a baby.

Charlotte Pearson for Mumsense Magazine, Spring 2012 edition.

The pelvic floor is a muscle in the pelvis which helps control the bladder and the bowel as well as helping us have a healthy sex life. The pelvic floor muscles are like any other muscle meaning they need regular exercise otherwise they become weak. Regular Kegel exercises help prevent and even treat stress incontinence symptoms.

Once you hit menopause, the estrogen levels drop and you lose elasticity and tone. Women tend to suffer in silence for an average of five years before they visit their GP. One way to treat pelvic floor problems and bladder weakness is to exercise the muscles. The use of electronic pelvic floor exercisers stimulates the right muscles in the right way for a precise work out.

When you decide you're ready to have a baby, you will find there's so much to think about months in advance before you even get down to it. Getting your body primed, ready to conceive and carry your baby should be at the top of your to-do list.

Diet

Pelvic floor exercises aid in conception

Making a lifestyle change now helps to optimize your health and increase your chances of conception. Quitting smoking and cutting back on caffeine and alcohol now will get you used to the change well before your body is being flooded with hormones.

Any over-the-counter prenatal vitamin with 400mg of folic acid can be taken daily at this point. Prenatal vitamins are formulated to give you the correct levels of necessary vitamins and minerals. They come with reduced levels of Vitamin A as well as increased Calcium and Iron.

Certain types of fish are high in mercury which can be dangerous to a growing fetus. Mercury can accumulate and linger in your body for more than a year so the sooner you cut them out, the better. Even canned tuna should be limited to no more than four medium cans or two fresh tuna steaks a week. Instead of high-mercury fish like swordfish, shark and king mackerel, choose from cod, haddock, plaice, mackerel, herring, pilchard, sardine, trout or salmon instead.

Exercise

Having a fit body will help have a more comfortable pregnancy. By starting well in advance, you will find conception, pregnancy and labour much easier.

Pelvic floor exercises are without a doubt extremely important. Your pelvic floor is what's going to support your quickly growing uterus! The increase in blood flow and flexibility means healthy, oxygen-rich muscle tissue. This can mean a shorter labour and faster recovery after the birth of your child. When the pelvic floor muscles are well toned, the risk of tearing is lower as is the need for an episiotomy or c-sections. Kegel exercises are also good for keeping stress incontinence at bay, a well known pregnancy side-effect!

Another good exercise to get into the habit of now is swimming. Swimming is a good low impact exercise that burns calories like mad and you can continue all throughout your pregnancy. It builds up your cardio and is also an effective resistance exercise. Once you're heavily pregnant, you will soon appreciate the zero gravity.

Yoga is an excellent way of relaxing as well as increasing flexibility. This increase in flexibility helps to adapt to various positions while in labour. Your ligaments will also be more elastic which will help to reduce labour pain. After you've had baby you can return to yoga, usually about six weeks after birth. This will help strengthen your abdominal walls and your pelvic floor. It will also help you get back to your pre-pregnancy shape too!

Squats, when performed correctly, work all major muscle groups and are another high-calorie burning exercise. Full squats increase flexibility in your lower body which as we already know makes for a much easier delivery. You build up a little muscle which will come in handy when you have to carry around a pregnant belly and as if that wasn't enough, squats also tone up your bum and thighs. BONUS!

Here's a round up of places Kegel8 has popped up recently around the internet.

Since 1988, Kegel8 has been one of the UK's largest and longest established healthcare suppliers. So it comes as no surprise when people mention Kegel8 and what we do for them. Here's a short collection of recent mentions on the internet we'd like to share.

Have you seen Kegel8 mentioned anywhere else? Drop us a line and let us know!

First off, Kegel8 was in Edinburgh a while back, meeting and greeting customers in addition to answering questions. It was exciting to see so many ladies who were curious about how to effectively obtain a tighter vagina and cure stress incontinence.

Then we head off over to Woman's World where we were featured along with the Incostress in Five Ways to Discover Your Pelvic Floor. Here you can find some really good information about how to find your pelvic floor, test it and strengthen it.

Next we find ourselves on Having My Cake and Eating it Too where the lovely Joanna Cake tells us about the time she used her Kegel8 as a Sex Toy! The story may be too risque for reading at work but is definitely worth the read.

Joanna's also been nice enough to write up a review on our Kegel8 Exercise Cones. It's always refreshing to hear what other customers honestly think about our products rather than reading what a company's marketing department has to say. Wouldn't you agree?

Going back about a month ago, Kegel8 announced that we were participating in the Breast Cancer Campaign's Wear it Pink day. If you follow us on Facebook then you may have already seen our pictures. Everybody was such a good sport about participating, even our guests! We had a ball, ate lots of pink cake and most importantly we raised lots of money for Breast Cancer Research. Have a look at the photo gallery on our Facebook page to see our lovely smiling faces.

My name is Beverley Dale, I am 36 years old and I have been living with a prolapsed bowel for too long.

I went to hospital in May of this year with heavy periods (this had being an ongoing problem for 2 years). They had tried to use a Mirena to slow the bleeding but this didn't work. Initially I didn't go for my bowel; I think I had accepted this as part of my body. Manual evacuation isn't a pleasant thing but I had enough to worry about so this was put on the back burner.

While having an internal scan they found my prolapse, a large cyst was found and my Mirena was in the wrong place. First they needed to tackle my cyst and the Mirena. I went into hospital in July and by the end of August I was ready for my next challenge, my prolapse.

I went for my appointment beginning of September to discuss my bowel. The Gyno informed me on my earlier surgery they had noticed I had the starting of a prolapse in my bladder and my uterus. These were going to be left alone for now. I needed surgery to repair my prolapse, remove a large hernia and to reconstruct the triangular piece of flesh that is the perineum. The doctor recommended I completely change my lifestyle. No heavy lifting, no hovering, no mowing the lawn and no lifting anything heavier than a 4 pint carton of milk.

The only positive thing that came from the discussion was I can cycle for my hearts content. This is because you're totally supported by sitting on the seat. I came out thinking at 36 there are thousands of things I can no longer do. After I put my sensible head on I realised there are thousands of things I wouldn't want to do and could never do. From now on I can no longer bungee jump (never did it, never wanted to) so it didn't matter anyway. I tried focusing on what I can do; once I'm fully back on my feet I am treating myself to a new bike. We have had to sell our camping gear (can't help with putting the tent up etc.) with this money we are going for a Caravan holiday. I think it's all down to perception!

I Had Surgery on 19 October; This is How I've Got on So Far.

When I got out of surgery I felt quite good, I was pleasantly surprised. The painkillers were great and I didn't feel a thing. That night was a slightly different story every time I moved my legs it hurt. I had medication through the night, this helped immensely. I was so scared that I had made a mistake and asked myself was it worth it? My legs were in these compression straps, that inflated every minute or so (these were quite relaxing actually). The next day they took the wadding out of my Loolar (age 36 and I still can't bring myself to say Vagina). This was the best thing they could have every done, all the pain and discomfort the night before was from this wadding. I felt 100% better. I could sit up and started to feel more in control.

Over the day next few days I had my compression straps removed and put on a very fetching pair of surgical stockings. I was given Lactulose to help me go for a poo. My first poo was quite scary (everything in your body says, don't push!) but everything went fine and I felt so much better for going. I was told by my physiotherapist that I had to have 2 weeks extended hospital rest at home (no more than you would do in the hospital) and told me to start my pelvic floor exercises ASAP. 100 a day for the rest of my life! I started thinking about the pelvic floor exercises, 100 sounds a lot but break it down. Making a cup of tea (10) having a shower (10) dinnertime (10) Cuppa time (10) favourite program on (10). Once you have this in your mind you soon get through 100 without feeling you have.

At home each day blends into the next; lots of rest, reading, TV, DVDs, magazines and visitors. It's a struggle to be interesting all the time!

By day 8 I was so bored, needed to take things into my own hands. I know shopping! I did my first Tesco shop on-line. No pushing a trolley, No heavy goods and No leaving my chair. I started to feel a bit more in control now. I could decide what we were having for tea!

Day 12, feeling fantastic. Put cards away, pottered around the house. Day 13 Yesterday! What a mistake. I did too much (although it didn't feel like that) I felt sore and now walking gingerly. I need Paracetomal and Ibuprofen. Such a silly girl, I am supposed to be able to do my 5 minute walk tomorrow. What if I don't feel up to it now! Ugh! Instead I just sat and read all day.

Luckily by the next day I felt a lot better, who would have thought doing something so small would leave you feeling so tired? I don't need painkillers today. I am so relieved; I really wanted to get out of the house today. Even if it is only a 5 minute walk. FRESH AIR! I am now on day 16, I am still taking my 5 minute walk a day, next week I can increase it to 10-15 minutes. I know it will take time getting back to normal and I will have to be patient. But it is all up from here.

Top Tips

• Try not to read too much on the web (I did this scared myself half to death) It doesn't help and everyone heals differently. I think it's down to positive mental attitude.
• Get a round cushion with a hole, it's very comfy to sit on (believe me it is a must)
• Ask for Senna or Lactulose in hospital ASAP after (your body slightly goes into shock and you don't want to go, to begin with) this will pass but the medication will help.
• Don't underestimate the surgery you’re having, do exactly as you’re told and it does work!
• Buy a water boiler that boils a cup at a time. This way you can still have some independence. Believe me this feels good.
• Think about things in your cupboards, you don't want to be stretching for a while.
• Have supportive friends and family looking after you

© Beverley Dale 2010

Oh Dita, I hope you're doing your Kegels!

Corsets are sexy, sure they are. What better way to instantly lose inches off your waist, simultaneously enhance your breasts and straighten up your posture. They've been around for ages and they're here to stay. We are already aware of the advantages to wearing that super sexy corset but do you also know about all of the disadvantages? Especially to your pelvic floor!

Starting the very next day after corsets were invented, health problems were already popping up. Fainting was commonplace, and it would if you couldn't take in a full breath as you breathe. Deformities of the stomach and liver were noticed; floating ribs were bending in unnatural directions and let's not forget organ displacement!

There's also the added pressure of the internal organs bearing down on the pelvic muscles. Think about it, all that pressure needs to go somewhere so it follows the direction of the least resistance, namely your pelvic floor!

We already put our PC muscles under constant strain every time we run, jump, laugh, sneeze or cough. Why do we add to the problem with ill-fitting waist cinchers?

You Don't Have to Stop Wearing Corsets!

It may sound like we're being all anti-corset here but nothing could be farther from the truth! What's sexier than Dita Von Teese wearing a corset performing one of her signature shows? Choose quality corsets which also support your lower abdomen or choose much more comfortable 'fashion corset tops'. These fashion corsets aren't meant to be worn as tight as their more expensive counterparts but still give an appealing look and shape. Most importantly of course would be to really work on your pelvic floor exercises. Kegel exercises will help keep your pelvic floor fit and resist the strain of your internal organs. A weakened pelvic floor will only lead to stress incontinence or urinary incontinence and there's nothing sexy about that!

So you've been diagnosed with faecal incontinence or you're worried it could affect you in the near future. Did you know that it is preventable and in some cases even reversible? We recently had a customer call in asking about using her Kegel8 Ultra A. She was diagnosed with faecal incontinence and wanted to know how she could use her Kegel8 pelvic floor exerciser to the best of her advantage.

Is There a Recommended Schedule?

If your Kegel8 doesn’t come with an anal programme, here are the instructions on how to program it in. If you need any help, please contact our helpline. Alternatively, you can send it back to us and we can program it in for you! It's a 15 minute programme which is to be used once a day while standing up. If you are using your Kegel8 vaginally as well, you can alternate days between using a standard vaginal programme and the anal programme. You can even use both the vaginal and anal probe at the same time, managing the mA's independently.

Ideally you should use the machine once a day, ot twice if you have time. However do not perfrom two programmes back to back as this will only fatigue your pelvic floor and be counterproductive. Aim to do one programme in the morning and the second (if possible) at night. In addition to using your Kegel8 anal programme, you should also be doing 10 minutes a day of manual kegel exercises, squeeze and lift as if you are trying to hold in wind.

How Long Should I Be Using My Kegel8?

Generally, you will be using it about 6 to 8 weeks or until you see results. Our customer told us that her GP advised her that she no longer needed surgery! How's that for a result!

Once you've attained your desired results, as with any exercise you have to maintain them. Once or twice a week to maintain the strength should keep your pelvic floor fit - but remember a kegel a day keeps the prolapse at bay!

Why can't I get my mA's over 20?

This programme was designed by physiotherapists specifically for rectal use with anal prolapse and fecal incontinence in mind. Anything higher than 20 mA's and your sphincter muscles will fatigue with over use. What you want is gradual strength training rather than wearing yourself out.

Urinary incontinence in men doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of getting older. It can happen at any age for any number of reasons. It can be caused by a weak urinary sphincter, an overactive bladder or a bladder that doesn't contract. Having a prostatectomy is the leading reason behind male stress incontinence.

I've been diagnosed with stress incontinence, what are my options?

Your doctor may advise you on medication, penile clamps, collagen injections or a condom like external catheter attached to a drainage bag. If surgery needed there's an artificial sphincter, urinary diversion and the most common sling procedure; where a strip of material is wrapped around the urethra and attached to each side of the pelvic bone.

Can stress incontinence in men be cured without surgery?

Performing regular pelvic floor exercises or use of a pelvic floor exerciser can help improve or completely regain bladder control. For a handy how-to, have a look at "How can I exercise my pelvic floor?" from our article on piles prevention. These exercises have an added benefit of harder, longer lasting erections and a slightly larger penis. You'll reap the added rewards of greater stamina and control too! Who wouldn't like that?

The Kegel8 Incontinence Blacklist also applies to men as does cutting back on smoking, steering clear of constipation and keeping your weight down. Keep this in mind and you can avoid surgery all together!

Most users find the comprehensive range of programmes on the Kegel8 sufficient for their needs; however some Clinicians have personal programmes they like to use. On the Kegel8 programmes PC1, PC2 and PC3 are 'spare', this means they are not pre-programmed and they have been left free for you or a Clinician to programme them for your particular needs.

Would you like to change the intensity of your Kegel8? Would you like to add an anal programme? Adding your own Kegel8 pelvic floor exercise programme is easy! Please follow these guidelines, if you need any help call our helpline.

For those of you who don't feel confident enough to do this you are welcome to return the unit to us and we'll add an extra programme for you!

Anal programme for Kegel8 Ultra

We are going to set the anal programme to effectively work your anal sphincter muscle and the posterior of your pelvic floor muscles. For this we will use 35Hz with a pulse width (µS) of 220. We'll have a ramp- up time of 0.8 seconds, and we'll have a work time of 5 seconds, and rest for 8 seconds.

Let's get started:

1. Press the on button to switch the Kege8 Ultra unit on
2. Press the PRG button until PC1, PC2 or PC3 is selected. If you have not already customised a programme lets select PC1.
3. Press and hold the SET button for a few seconds until Hz flashes
4. Press the Channel B - button to set the frequency to 35 Hz
5. Press the Channel A + button the µS symbol will flash, Press the Channel B + to set to 220.
6. Press the Channel A + the MIN symbol will flash. Press the Channel B – button to set to 15 mins.
7. Press the Channel A + twice. WK will appear. Press the Channel B + button to set to 5 seconds.
8. Press the Channel A + RT will appear. Press the Channel B + button to set to 8 seconds.
9. Press the Channel A + RP will appear. Press the Channel B + button to set to 0.8 seconds.
10. Press the Channel A + SY will appear.
11. Press PRG to save.

• We recommend you use the anuform probe for this anal programme; it is specially designed for anal use. However if you want to target your anal sphincter muscle directly, you'll get better results with the Ultra Thin probe.
• For men using this programme to help strengthen the pelvic floor for stronger erections we recommend you use the longer thinner ultra thin probe.

Anal programme for Kegel8 Tight & Tone Pelvic Exerciser

We are going to set your Kegel8 Tight & Tone with an anal programme to effectively work your anal sphincter muscle and the back of your pelvic floor. We'll use a pulse frequency of 35Hz with a pulse width (µS) of 220. We'll have a ramp- up time of 0.8 seconds, the muscle will contract or 'work' for 5 seconds, and rest for 8 seconds.

Let's get started:

1. Press the on button to switch the Kege8 Tight & Tone unit on
2. Press the PRG button until PC1, PC2 or PC3 is selected. If you have not already customised a programme lets select PC1.
3. Remove the battery cover from the unit.
4. Press and hold the SET button for a few seconds until Hz flashes
5. Press the Channel B - button to set the frequency to 35 Hz
6. Press the Channel A + button the µS symbol will flash, Press the Channel B + to set to 220.
7. Press the Channel A + the MIN symbol will flash. Press the Channel B – button to set to 15 mins.
8. Press the Channel A + twice. WRK will appear. Press the Channel B + button to set to 5 seconds.
9. Press the Channel A + RST will appear. Press the Channel B + button to set to 8 seconds.
10. Press the Channel A + RMP will appear. Press the Channel B + button to set to 0.8 seconds.
11. Press the Channel A + SYN will appear.
12. Press ESC to save.

• We recommend you use the anuform probe or the slim anal probe for this anal programme; it is specially designed for anal use. However if you want to target your anal sphincter muscle directly, you'll get better results with the Ultra Thin probe.
• For men using this programme to help strengthen the pelvic floor for stronger erections we recommend you use the longer thinner ultra thin probe.

Alternatively if you have not purchased a Kegel8, please see the Kegel8 Ultra Vaginal and Anal Pelvic Exerciser - it has this programme and is supplied with a special anal probe. Please call us for more information if we can help you further - we are always here to help.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and here at Kegel8 we will be taking part in the Wear it Pink Breast Cancer Campaign on 29 October 2010. We are committed to Women's Health Issues and believe a healthy pair of breasts is just as important as a fit pelvic floor!

Every year in the UK, just over 12,000 people die from breast cancer and approximately 46,000 people are diagnosed, including nearly 300 MEN! This works out to one person every 11 minutes! How many could have been saved if they had performed a monthly Breast Self Exam (BSE) for early detection?

When and How Often?

Women should start performing monthly checks as early as in their 20's. The best time to do a BSE is 2 or 3 days after the end of your period, this allows the tenderness and swelling caused by hormones to subside. If you are irregular, pick a date and do them the same day every month. It's important to get to know your breasts, to know what's normal and what's not. A good starting point would be to have a clinical breast exam with your next smear test and every one thereafter. Women age 40 and older should begin having screening mammograms every year.

So How Should I Feel My Breasts?

So now that you know the facts about Breast Cancer, how about a demonstration on how to actually DO the BSE? First off, find a comfortable and private place. While using your Kegel8 Pelvic Floor Exerciser would be an idea. In the bath or shower is also recommended since the soapy water will help your hands glide over your breasts easier. Now that you've picked a spot, have a look at this demonstration video. You may want to watch it again and again, just to get the technique down of course!

...but you don't know her, she dosen't live in this town... and I never talk to her on the phone, you will never see her at any of my get togethers. Ok I lied.

It's me.

Sound familiar? Are you guilty of telling the same story? Why do we do this? Why are we so embarrased to talk about stress incontinence? If 1 in 3 women are known to have a weak bladder, (and these are only the ones who fess up!) why are we still so shy talking about it?

Think about when it happens to you. You're laughing, you leak a little, you stop laughing and look around all sneaky as if to see if any one saw you. How many times have you noticed other ladies do the same? Do they all nip off to the loo just like you do?

Why not take the initiative and the next time you're in a fit of laughter, be the first to admit you dribbled a little, you will be surprised to find at least one other person come clean as well. Isn't it a relief to know you're not alone?

Together you can do something about it

Now that you have an ally or two, you can remind eachother about doing the all important kegel exercises. Or each person try out different devices used to strengthen your pelvic floor, for example kegel exercise cones or an electronic pelvic floor exerciser. After a couple of weeks, get together for drinks and compare notes. As an added bonus, since a fit pelvic floor is key to a tight vagina, everyone will have some steamy details to spill about how things have improved in the bedroom!

More Customer Feedback

We are still receiving your feedback about the Kegel8. Thank you very much for keeping us informed! Today I'd like to address some of the negative feedback we received. Often times, the problems are easily resolved!

Most of the calls we get about the Kegel8 are women complaining that it's not working for them.

• Find it makes little to no difference
• It's not working for me

When we ask these ladies to walk us through what they're doing, it's usually because they haven't been raising the milliamps. The plus and minus buttons in the display control the milliamp level. Press the + button until you feel the contraction and leave it at a level where you're comfortable.

We get some ladies finding that it works great at first but the effects don't always stick

• I have used it religiously everyday but had no positive results to note
• The difference is negligible. I did use it daily for first 4mths, but it didn't pay off that well
• It's effects have not lasted

Just like any exercise, you have to increase the intensity to see results. Weightlifters don't get so big and strong by lifting a pink 3kg dumbell for years on end. When you no longer feel the contractions with your Kegel8, this means your pelvic floor has strengthened to that level. Raise your milliamps a few more steps and make it even stronger. You also have to keep using it to maintain the muscle tone you've attained.

Here's another common complaint, the instructions!

• Because the instructions are not good enough so i don't know if it works
• Instructions unclear

Instruction manuals are well known for their lack of clarity. No matter how well anyone writes a manual, there will be an audience out there that will find it difficult.

This is why we have customer service available via Email, by phone at 01482 496 932. Alternatively call us for free via Skype by pressing the 'Call Me!' button below...

There are times when any electrical product is found to have a problem with the workmanship.

• It's so much money, how do I know it will work? What if it breaks?
• Great results but not made to last

Your Kegel8 is supplied with a manufacturers 1 year warranty as standard. However you may wish to Extend this Warranty an extra year for just £9.99. If your Kegel8 becomes faulty during year 2 we'll replace it for FREE. Please note this warranty does not cover probes or batteries, which will need to be replaced as necessary due to wear and tear.

Finally, this is a problem is more a universal complaint rather than one specifically geared for Kegel8 products.

• Easy to use but just need to find spare the time in your day.

For this, I say stay tuned! There will be a future article listing the 5 Perfect Times to Use Your Kegel8 Pelvic Floor Exerciser.

So we've already showed you 15 easy ways to remember to do your kegel exercises. Now you're probably wondering, "Yeah, that's great but how will I remember to use my Kegel8 Pelvic Floor Exerciser every day?" Well here's five simple to remember convinenient times to use your Kegel8 everyday.

Watching tv
It really takes no effort at all once the probe is inserted, why not run your programme while you're watching your favourite programme? You will feel it work but it won't distract from your show.

Before getting in the bath or shower
Do NOT take the machine in the bath or shower with you! If you've got 20 minutes before your bath or shower, catch up on your emails and use your Kegel8. This works out great as you may want to freshen up when you're done.

While Reading a Book or Magazine
Relax with a book and let your Kegel8 machine run a program. It's quiet and non-distracting so you won't miss a thing!

Before or after sex or masturbation
What better way to get warmed up! Use it before sex (either alone or partnered!) to invigorate and awaken your tissues making orgasams more frequent and powerful! For added fun, hand the control over to your parnter. Use afterwards while you're still all lubed up to give your pelvic floor a cool down after its cardio workout!

While Browsing The Internet
You can watch all the funny cat videos on Youtube, play your favourite online games or read up on the latest news while you're getting your Kegel8 programme in.

There you go, five ways to remember to use your Kegel8 Pelvic Floor Exerciser. Now there's no excuse not to use it!

According to the Bladder and Bowel Foundation, National Continence Awareness Week for this year is from 20 September to 26 September. Just how much do you know about Stress Incontinence?

Stress incontinence affects 200 million people world wide. It may also be hereditary. Studies show 33% of men and women ages 30 - 70 have at some point experienced loss of bladder control. Within this group, 29% of people aged 60-70 endure stress incontinence compared to 17% of people ages 30 - 39.

Are you surprised by these numbers? How many times have you been with a group, maybe at work or socially, where someone laughs then jokes that they've wet themselves. How many times have you silently thought to yourself, "Oh, me too!" You are obviously not alone in this, no matter what your age. Thankfully there are steps you can take to eradicate the problem

In the short term there's pads and incontinence pants, men and women can also use catheters. Some people have even given up all together to avoid accidents in social situations by staying at home! Do you really want to do that?

As far as long term help there's always surgery. There's the Tension-Free Vaginal Tape or TVT, and there's the Transobturator Tape or TOT surgery. Pelvic Surgery is never fun. Neither is recovery. They can say it's non-invasive all they like but when you are getting poked and prodded on a table in theatre wearing nothing but a hospital gown surrounded by strangers while your feet are up in stirrups, I wouldn't want to see what their idea of invasive was really like!

In the meantime, there are measures you can take to prevent surgery and even get did of the problem all together. Here is an Incontinence Blacklist of commonly used items which can cause or worsen urinary incontinence. Having a strong pelvic floor helps keep your bladder under control, you are doing your kegel exercises aren't you?

If you're unsure whether or not you're doing the kegels properly, there are devices out there that can do the work for you. Any of the Kegel8 Pelvic floor exercise machines will help and they can be used while watching tv or reading. The Kegel8 Exercise Cones are non-electronic but the unique indicator lets you know when you are exercising the correct muscles.

This year's National Continence Awareness Week will concentrate mainly on stress incontinence. TENA will be working together with the Bladder and Bowel Foundation to raise awareness of stress incontinence and those affected. If you would like to help out with a donation, please visit them at the Bladder and Bowel Foundation website.

Thank you.

Is technology improving our sex lives? When hasn't it? Birth control pills, condoms, fertility monitors, pornographic films and vibrators were all at one point products of cutting edge technology.

While some may argue that technology is actually hampering our sex lives by making us more distant, we here at Kegel8 think it literally brings us closer together. Devices used for solo sex have been known to benefit when we later have sex with a partner. For men it can assist with premature ejaculation by getting used to different kinds of stimulation, eventually lasting longer in bed. For women, it helps to explore their bodies finding what feels good and what doesn’t. This way she can later communicate this with her partner and bring continuous mutual enjoyment. For both sexes, it provides a safe and stress free way to enjoy sex with no performance anxiety because when you're by yourself, it's all about you, baby!

Women by far have the bigger share of the market when it comes to sex technology. We're not just talking about vibrators either. Studies have shown that doing your Kegels improve orgasms, increase blood circulation to the genitals and heighten arousal during sex. Pelvic floor exercisers, used primarily for stress incontinence, have been found to have an amazing side benefit. By keeping your pelvic muscles in tip-top shape, the vagina becomes tighter and more responsive during sex (and what man wouldn't enjoy that?!?). Women have reported more frequent and earth-shattering orgasms (and what woman wouldn't enjoy that?!?). Wouldn't it be fun to show your partner just how tight you can squeeze him the next time you have sex?

Even using a simple machine such as the Kegel8 Exercise Cones makes an astounding difference in both vaginal tightness, and pelvic floor strength. It really makes you wonder why more people don't use it!

If you think about it, everywhere we look our sex lives are filled with technological advances. I tell you what, I wouldn't have it any other way!

For more information: Kegel8 Exercise Cones guide and instructions

When making a decision on a purchase, we all like to hear what real people have to say. We recently asked customers to review their purchase by asking them, "Would you recommend the Kegel8 to a friend?" Here is a list of some of the praises we received. Just to be fair, I will also go over and address some of the concerns we got back in a future post.

Our first group of ladies have found it relieves back pain associated with weak pelvic floor muscles and have even prevented surgery!

• "It helped me not only with pelvic strengthening but also relieved my back ache that I had due to bladder prolapse. It's an exellent product and is worth every penny I paid for it!"
• "Fixed my prolapse and my incontienece without surgery!!!"
• "In fact I have recommended to a few of my friends. I have even said to my daughter to get one especially if she does have a baby. I feel I suffered a lot with my problems and would hate to think anyone suffering too. I feel this product is doing the trick and is saving me from having to have surgery."

Our next group are happy to tell us about how quick and easy the Kegel8 is to use.

• "Easier than trying to do the Kegel exercises yourself."
• "I have used another product for some time with no improvement at all, the Kegel8 felt more effective immediately, and the effects from using it were felt very quickly, this one actually works, and I am delighted."
• "Easy to use, painfree."

Here we hear about the improved self-esteem and increased confidence in social situations.

• "Because it works!! Gives back self esteem."
• "It improved things for me very quickly. I'll never be normal but at least I can go out now without having to worry about pain and toilet etc"
• "Because it helped me feel more confident to go out for a run with fear of embarrassing damp patches!!"
• "Can deal with problem privately"

Here are the printable rave reviews we get about the added bonus you get from having a well toned pelvic floor!

• "It gave me back my sex life"
• "Great sex toy if your partner is tied down what an orgasm"
• "This is fantastic and I cant praise highly enough. It's made an amazing difference to me and my husband!!"
• "I haven't used the cones much but I did use the Tight and Tone. It's brilliant. No more pads for dribbles lol and climax, well now I can hit the roof, hee hee! Thanks Kegel8"

Oh my! Glad we could be of assistance, ladies! I think I will leave you all with one final quote which really sums up the whole experience overall.

• "Because it is a small price to pay to make a big difference to your life."

Do you have any feedback to share with us? Leave us a comment and we can anonomously post your praise or concern in a future post. We are also planning on rolling out a Refer-a-Friend program soon so keep checking back!

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and in the case of piles, no words have ever been truer. Haemorrhoids are in fact avoidable and taking steps now could save you the agony.

What causes piles?

The tissue in your rectum is rich in blood vessels. When this tissue is repeatedly stressed, over time the blood vessels become dilated and swollen and the tissue becomes weak. This can be from constipation, being overweight and pregnancy.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms include a swelling protuberance from the anus which will feel like small fleshy lumps and will look like a bunch of grapes. Rectal bleeding, a mucus discharge and itchy skin around the anus will also tell you there's a problem.

Is this preventable?

Yes, and prevention is simple. We all know we need to drink 8 glasses of water and eat our 5 a day every day. This will help keep your poo soft and easy for elimination. Straining to poo will only make matters worse. Take regular breaks when sitting or standing for long periods. Get some exercise! Even a daily 20 minute walk will help circulate the blood and help you lose weight. If you're really straining to poo, there are waterbased lubricants which can help.

Pelvic floor exercises will help keep your rectal muscles taut, toned and free from sagging. It also increases blood circulation in the area thus preventing blood from pooling. Pelvic floor exercises have also been known to aid in rectal prolapse and anal incontinence which are also caused by weak pelvic muscles.

How can I exercise my pelvic floor?

First we need to identify the muscles we want to target. Squeeze your rectum as if trying to hold back wind or poo. You can also place a lubricated finger inside your rectum and squeeze. If you can feel your rectum clench around your finger, you've found it. Practise contracting and holding for 5 seconds at a time then resting for 6. Do this for about 20 minutes a day.

Kegel8 offers a range of products to help assist in strengthening your rectum. The Kegel8 Ultra Vaginal and Anal Sphincter Muscle Exerciser will get you started. It comes with a full instruction book and 14 programmes with pre-set vaginal and specialist anal programme. If you've already purchased a Kegel8 device, there are interchangeable probes available which can be used to help strengthen your back passage.

Pelvic floor exercisers and accessories to help prevent piles

Anal Incontinence

• Do you have a problem controlling your wind?
• Do you have Stress Incontinence?
• Do you suffer with constipation?

If you answer YES to any of the above, you are at risk of developing anal incontinence and small changes now can make a big difference. If a leaking bladder is taboo, then faecal incontinence or anal incontinence is a total no-no, but a staggering 28% of women with stress incontinence are also anally incontinent. It doesn't have to be 'messing' ourselves, just the inability to control wind, but if you are that 'windy-pop woman' look out, because it is the early signs that you need to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and make some changes.

What is it?

Medics use the term bowel or anorectal dysfunction (which includes the bowel, rectum or anus). This dysfunction usually falls into two categories, one is difficulty in having a poo, and the other is the inability to store wind and/or faecal material until the right time and place. Those with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) may alternate between the two states.

What factors contribute to anal incontinence?

Childbirth - Vaginal deliveries account for 0.04%-5% of women developing anal incontinence. Anal sphincter tears resulting from vaginal deliveries account for 7% of cases.

Age - the older we get the more at risk we are of anal incontinence and uncontrollable wind.

Perineal surgery, anal fissure, fistula, haemorrhoids, childbirth or accidental injury - because damage to the sphincter can stop it closing when it should.

Hysterectomy - 31% of women reported a severe deterioration in the squeeze pressure to their anal sphincter muscles after surgery.

Abuse - a small study of abusive or unwanted anal penetrative sexual activity (rape) showed that all had sphincter damage.

Chronic Straining - can stretch and damage nerves in the sphincter and/or pelvic floor.  Straining makes you more inclined to haemorrhoids which can result in rectal prolapse.

Nerve damage caused by childbirth, constipation or stroke, including nerve degenerating diseases such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis.

Diarrhoea caused by a mild infection or food reaction can cause temporary problems of incontinence that can last for a few days. Chronic conditions such as IBS and Crohns disease can cause diarrheal lasting for weeks or months until a successful treatment is found.

Pelvic floor dysfunction such as rectal prolapse, protrusion of the rectum through the vagina (rectocele) and general weakness and sagging of the pelvic floor.

Enterocele - prolapse of the small intestine that sits just behind the uterus - the intestine can slip into the space between the rectum and the back wall of the vagina. Enterocele can also occur at the same time as a rectocele.

Medication that interferes with the intestinal absorption of dietary fats such as Orlistat in the US, Alli and Xenical in the UK.

What can you do?

Diet

• Loose poo - add bulk and fibre to make it firmer.
• Avoid foods and drinks containing caffeine which act as a stimulant and relax the internal anal sphincter muscle.
• Milk products and artificial sweeteners can make your poo looser.
• Five a day, fruit and or vegetables if you suffer with constipation.
• Fruit can act as a natural laxative so eat sparingly if you have diarrhoea or loose poo.
• Friendly bacteria - It is believed that prebiotics and probiotics work well together to help colonic bacteria to maintain normal digestion. Prebiotics are non digestible carbohydrates that stimulate good bacteria to grow in your gut and can be found in bananas, asparagus, garlic, wheat, tomatoes, onions, chicory & Jerusalem artichoke. Probiotics such as Actimel, Yakult & Bio yoghurts have live bacteria added.
• Drink 1.5 litres of water a day; increase this if you are very active.

Medication

We spend over £43 billion a year on laxatives her in the UK

You might need to take something to help you go, or not to go - as the case may be. Drugs including anticholinergics, diuretics, oral iron supplements, sympathomimetics, antacids, antihypertensives and NSAIDS may be causing your constipation - talk to your GP about an alternative.

Some laxatives have possible side effects so make sure you use the one that's right for you. Watch out for stimulant laxatives such as senna, Dulcolax, bisacodyl and glycerol suppositories. These should only be used as a short-term solution; long-term use can result in the bowel muscles weakening and literally stopping working.

Bowel Retraining

If you have frequency and urgency - bowel retaining can help, including a four stage 'holding-on' programme developed by St Mark's Hospital.

Biofeedback

Medical studies have shown that exercises and electrical stimulation used in the anus may be more helpful than vaginal exercises for women with faecal incontinence after childbirth.

Biofeedback has been reported in improving cases of faecal incontinence - continued use seems to work best. Significant improvements have been reported with the peritron perineometers.

Neuromuscular Stimulation

Muscle stimulation has been used for many years to re-educate and strengthen muscles. The Kegel8 Ultra A has a specially designed programme for the posterior pelvic floor compartment.

Pelvic Floor Exercises

Kegel exercises and more targeted anal sphincter exercise can help restore muscle tone, and reduce or even eliminate anal incontinence. Squeezing and lifting exercises, targeting the anus (as if trying to stop a poo or wind) should be performed, just like ordinary pelvic floor exercises.  Alternate strong holds for a longer duration with shorter faster holds. Tests have found that a squeeze of at least 20 seconds is necessary to control faecal urgency with liquid poo.  Self checking can include using a mirror to see the lift, as well as a finger inserted to feel the squeeze of the anal sphincter.

If you're doing your exercises manually without a Kegel8 Ultra A you'll notice great muscle improvement if you exercise at least three times a day, with the Kegel8 Ultra A use the programme once a day which can also be supported with manual exercises too.

Massage

Abdominal massage has been found to be as affective as laxatives for constipation (without the nasty side-effects of abdominal pain, wind and discomfort. Massage is ideal to be used with other techniques, but not after recent abdominal surgery.

Physiotherapy

A woman's health physiotherapist can help you develop a 'defaecation technique'.  Lean forward when you sit on the loo, forearms and upper body weight on your thigh - this shifts your abdominal contents. Support your feet on a footstool or 15cm with your heels raised. Flex your hips to a 90 degree angle; keep your spine in a neutral curve.

Medical definitions

• Anal Incontinence - involuntary loss of flatus (wind) liquid or solid per anus that is a social or hygienic problem. *
• Anismus - also known as spastic pelvic floor syndrome, anal sphincter dyssynergia, dyssynergic defecation and paradoxal puborectal contraction - muscles of the anus fail to relax when you try to poo. *
• Constipation - includes straining, lumpy or hard poo, incomplete poo, sensation of blockage, less than 3 poos a week.
• Descending Perineum Syndrome - bulging perineum associated with pooing.
• Dyschezia - difficulty pooing after voluntary holding-back.
• Faecal Incontinence - involuntary loss of liquids or solids from the anus. *
• Megacolon - abnormal massive dilation of the colon can be congenital, toxic or acquired.
• Megarectum - abnormal dilation of the rectum.
• Paradoxical puborectalis contraction - failure of the muscle to relax to allow you to poo. *
• Paradoxical anal sphincter contraction - failure of the anal sphincter to relax to allow you to poo. *
• Passive Soiling - losing poo or liquid without realising. *
• Pelvic floor dyssynergia - uncoordinated pelvic floor muscle activity.
• Proctalgia fugax - sudden sever pain affecting the rectum lasting anything from minutes to hours.

_{* Conditions marked with an asterisk can all be helped with the Kegel8 Ultra A}

Glossary

Leroi et al (1999)
Pirkko Raivio Specialist Continence Physiotherapist Finland 2001 - Faecal Incontinence Protocol
Physiotherapy in Obstetrics and Gynaecology - Jill Mantle, Jeanette Haslam, Sue Barton.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse - The Silent Epidemic - Sherrie J.Palm

It's estimated that 34 million women worldwide are affected by vaginal prolapse; but as many are reluctant to discuss their symptoms, this number could be much higher.

The idea of having a vaginal or rectal prolapse (or both) can be highly embarrassing for women, with many enduring the symptoms for years unknowingly thinking it cannot be rectified. But it can!

How does it happen? Normally, the pelvic organs are held in place by the pelvic floor muscles which act like a sling to hold the bladder, uterus and bowel. However, when the pelvic floor becomes weakened or stretched, they can become too slack to hold these organs effectively. The uterus is the only organ that actually falls into the vagina, whilst when the bladder and bowel fall out of place, they push up against the vagina. Factors contributing to weakened pelvic floor include:

• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Ageing and the menopause
• Obesity or large fibroids

How will it affect me? Although prolapse is not life threatening, it can cause a great deal of discomfort and embarrassment; it's not uncommon for women to have a double prolapse which can lead to both urinary incontinence and faecal constipation. Symptoms include severe backache, pain during intercourse and sometimes a 'dragging down' feeling in the pelvis.

If the prolapse is severe, surgery may be the viable option and can be done freely on the NHS. However, some forms of prolapse can be rectified by vaginal pessaries and kegel exercises.

What you can do: The best cure is prevention; kegel exercises to strengthen the muscles can help avoid prolapse, we recommend the Kegel8 Ultra Plus for those wishing to tone up your stretched muscles, it had a programme specially designed to help with prolpase. The Kegel8 Ultra is recommended for those with an existing prolapse and can also be used after surgery to avoid a relapse. If you are living with prolapse at the moment, the following hints and tips could help alleviate some of your symptoms:

• Avoid standing for long periods of time
• Do frequent and effective pelvic floor exercises
• Prevent constipation by incorporating enough fibre in your diet
• Wear a girdle: this can help make you feel a bit more secure
• Try yoga: great for toning your core muscles

The bottom line here is - prolapse can be avoided, so get working those Kegel8 exercises! If you think you may have a prolapse, or have any of the symptoms described above, we highly recommend you get checked out by your GP.

If you think you have a form of incontinence, you need to visit your GP or Continence Nurse to get more information of what's causing your incontinence, and what can be done to treat it.

TIP! Why not print out your results from the 'So you think you have Incontinence?' article to illustrate clearly what your symptoms are. To make your appointment easier, quicker and more productive, follow these simple steps to help you and your doctor understand your symptoms and situation:

1. Keep a diary for a few days to track your fluid intake and output. The more specific you are the better. For each 3-hour period, make note of the following:
- What and how much you drank
- How much urine you released when you went to the bathroom. Was it a little, or a lot? Did your bladder feel completely emptied after you'd finished?

2. If and when you feel yourself leaking urine, make a note of the following:
- How much urine did you leak? A little, or a lot? Did you have to change your underwear?
- What you were doing when the leakage occurred?
- What level of urgency you experienced before urinating; none, some, high?

3. Don't forget to note any night-time disturbances (nocturia):
- How many times did you get up to go to the bathroom?
- Were you able to empty your bladder?

Noting down this information will help both you and your Doctor. It will help you to clearly define your bladder weakness and hopefully stop you minimising the distress and discomfort it causes you (most women do this - please don't be embarassed, tell your GP exactly how it is so you can get the correct help!). Also it will help your GP to understand how you feel and accurately refer you on for further help or treatment if necessary.

Remember 1 in 3 women suffer with incontinence and bladder problems and you must not ignore them! If you do, you could potentially suffer prolpase - and sadly 50% of all women over 55 will have some form of prolapse.

Don't let that be you!

You've had the household incontinence blacklist, now we're giving you the medication blacklist!

Obviously, if you have a severe heart condition, we're not recommending that you suddenly stop taking your medication; we just want our Kegel8 followers to be informed and aware.

Here are five commonly prescribed medications to those of incontinence-affected age:

1. Alpha-adrenergic blockers - commonly used to treat hypertension aka high blood pressure. However, they relax the bladder and urethra which can cause and worsen stress incontinence in some women.
2. Statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) are a class of drugs prescribed to lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a central role in the production of cholesterol in the liver. Side effects have been noted to increase urine production causing overactive bladder, urine incontinence and urine retention.
   

   The leading statin drugs are Lipitor (generic name atorvastatin), Crestor (rosuvastatin), Mevacor (lovastatin), Pravacol (pravastatin), Zocor (simvastatin) and Lescol (fluvastatin).

3. Cholinesterase inhibitors - goes under trade names like Aricept and Exelon, they are used to manage symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia. However, they can increase the frequency of bladder contractions and worsen urge incontinence.
4. Anticholinergic effect-drugs - these drugs are used to block neurotransmitters in the brain and are used widely to treat a number of things from depression to Parkinson’s disease. They can worsen incontinence as they interfere with bladder contraction.
5. Opioids - treatment for serious pain relief such morphine and codeine. However, these drugs interfere with the bladder and can cause overflow incontinence.
6. Hormone therapy (HRT): The oestrogen-progestin combination in HRT can cause or worsen the incontinence in some women. Yet another addition to our ever growing list of HRT: shall I, shan't I take it?

If you are on any of these medications and feel that they are indeed worsening your condition, why not have a chat with your GP to discuss other possible options that may not interfere with your incontinence? Until then, keep doing your kegel exercises!

If you think you may have incontinence but you're not quite sure, take our simple questionnaire below to determine your symptoms.

Mostly orange: You could have... Overflow Incontinence. You may have a feeling that your bladder is full, even after you have been to the toilet. This is caused when the muscles around your bladder are not able to squeeze the bladder empty. It is commonly as a result of nerve or muscle damage, perhaps caused by diabetes, multiple sclerosis, surgery or injury. Because you can't empty your bladder completely, the bladder and its associated muscles become slack and less controlled; this causes urine leaking.

Mostly blue: You could have... Urge Incontinence. This is caused by the involuntary bladder contractions that occur as the bladder fills. With this form of incontinence, you will probably be aware of the urgent sensation but will be unable to stop a leakage before getting to the toilet. Urge incontinence usually has 'triggers', such as hearing running water or 'key-in-the-door' syndrome; knowing that you will soon be able to go to the toilet can cause bladder contractions.

Mostly red: You could have... Stress Incontinence. This form of incontinence is extremely common and affects over 2 million people in the UK. Stress incontinence occurs when the muscles in the pelvic floor or sphincter have been weakened or damaged. This is typically caused by childbirth, menopause, being overweight, constipation or chronic coughing.

If you think you could have a form on incontinence, don't delay! Remember: incontinence is not for life, it can easily be treated. We recommend that you take a look at our range of Kegel8 pelvic floor exercise machines to treat your incontinence, visit your GP, or alternatively, for more information on kegel exercise, pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence help call the Kegel8 line on 01482 496932.

Urinary incontinence

We've compiled a few of the most commonly-used things that can both cause and worsen your case of incontinence; you might want to stay well clear of them!

Alcohol: Yep, sorry ladies but that much needed 'after work glass-then-bottle of wine' is doing more damage than you suspected! Alcohol increases urine production and makes you dehydrated- which then makes you drink more. It's a revolving circle!

Stay away from: Vodka & Red Bull, Whisky & Coke. Not only are these tipples alcoholic but the added caffeine from the mixers will make stress urinary incontinence even worse. If you really need a pick me up or a de-stress:

Treat yourself to: A glass (singular!) of Red wine or a single measure of Brandy. Red wine can lower cholesterol and keep heart disease at bay, whilst Brandy contains immune-boosting anti-oxidants and is great in winter if you've got a cold!

Decongestants: If like me, you suffer from troublesome sinuses, Sudafed is probably your best friend and confidant come sinus time! However, decongestants like this actually tighten the urinary sphincter and can cause urinary retention and overflow incontinence.

Solution? If you're feeling stuffy, try getting a bowl of hot water; put a couple of drops of tea tree oil or menthol in there. Hover your face over the steamy bowl and cover your head with a towel to keep the steam in. Close eyes and inhale. Is also great for opening pores pre-facial!

Caffeine: Say goodbye to tea, coffee, cola, and energy drinks! Why? It increases urine production. If you're finding it hard to stay awake after a night of hot sweats or a crying infant (us women have all the fun, I know) caffeine can actually make you more irritable and dehydrated than to start with.

Solution? Try Green Tea or herbal tea with 'natural' caffeine properties such as Gingko or Guarana.

If you are purchasing a Kegel8 Tight & Tone or Kegel8 Ultra to treat an existing medical condition such as stress incontinence or bladder weakness, you are entitled to claim VAT relief. In order to receive this relief you must complete and submit a VAT declaration. This is self certification. You do not need your GP's endorsement but we must retain your declaration form on our files should the VAT Inspector wish to verify our claim on your behalf.

• A VAT refund can only be granted when we receive your signed declaration.
• Your declaration can be online at the point of purchase, in paper form, posted or sent by fax, or by e mail with your signature.
• Kegel8 Tight and Tone, Kegel8 Ultra, Kegel8 Plus, and all dedicated accessories (except batteries) qualify for relief.
• Postage and courier charges do not qualify.
• You cannot claim exemption if you are purchasing the equipment for any form of professional or business use
• You must be a UK resident.

How do I get my VAT back?

You can either:

• 1. If you think you qualify you can click "add to basket" on the cheaper priced option. This will send you to a new product page, where the price is minus the VAT. 
• 2. This new product page will include a VAT Exemption form, please fill this in and then add the product to your basket.

or

• 1. If you think you qualify please place your order and initially pay the VAT.
• 2. When we send your order we will include a VAT Exemption form, please fill it in and return it to us within 14 days.
• 3. When we have received your signed declaration we will, within 5 working days, refund the amount of VAT you paid. If you paid by credit card, cheque, or paypal we will refund you accordingly and send you notification.

Please note that certain accessories, postage and courier charges do not qualify for exemption and VAT will be charged on these items at the normal rate.

In submitting this form you are declaring that you have read and understood the VAT exemption rules described and referred to above and that the goods you have ordered from N E Services Mail Order trading as StressNoMore.co.uk are for your own use and you are claiming that the supply of these goods is eligible for relief from VAT.

This is the information you'll find on your VAT exemption certificate. Remember you don't have to get your Doctors authorisation, it is a form of self certification.

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SURNAME _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

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Q How often should I use the Kegel8?

Initially we recommend you use the Kegel8 once a day for 12 weeks. Always use the KE Gel because it actually helps to make your Kegel8 exercising even more effective. You can use your Kegel8 during your period if you wish, and it is a great way to relieve menstrual cramps and period pain.

After your initial 12 week daily routine you can move onto a maintenance programme, that's exercising a couple of times a week. Some women who have a particularly weak pelvic floor continue using it daily until they are much stronger.

Q. I can't get the mA's past 6, 7 or 8, 9, 10, 11.

If you do not get an effective contact with the probe you will find that you cannot increase the mA's up to a suitable level to exercise you effectively. The mA's will go to 6, 7 or 8, 9, 10, 11 but no higher, it will then return to zero, or switch off the Kegel8. This is a cut-off device and it means that you are not getting direct contact with the probe at all times. The probe must maintain contact with your pelvic floor muscle at all times to exercise it properly. If this happens with your machine, it is not a machine fault; it is probe positioning that is at fault.

What do you need to do?

1. Make sure the probe is inserted as far as possible. You might like to wear Sloggies or some tight pants to make sure it remains in place, or a tight pair of trousers.
2. Make sure the metal parts of the probe (the electrodes) are facing hip to hip when the probe is inserted vaginally or anally.
3. If this is happening with the Kegel8 (tubular) probe, you might want to consider trying the wider lighter Periform probe.
4. Try not to move around too much as this may displace the probe.
5. Adjust your seating position; sit with your buttocks tightly together as if trying to hold in wind.
6. Conductivity is also improved by using the lubricant provided, it is water based, and body friendly and you'll get better results.

Q. What are mA's?

mA is the shortened term of milliampere, 1mA is one thousandth of an Ampere (A) which is used to measure the amount of electric charge. The higher the mA's the stronger the Kegel8 workout.

Keep it comfortable, but aim to feel a strong contraction in your kegel or pelvic floor muscles.

Q. How should I insert the probe?

The vaginal probe needs to be inserted just 2 inches (5.5 cm)into the vagina this is the optimum level to stimulate your pelvic floor muscle. Insert it in as far as possible, make sure the electrodes (that's the metal bit) are facing hip to hip. You might find it helpful to wear a pair of tight pants such as Sloggies or even tight trousers. Keep the probe in place at all times or the machine will cut out and fail to increase the mA's (intensity).

Q. Can I use the Kegel8 if I have an IUD or Mirena coil fitted?

Yes. The Mirena is plastic so not problems there. Any IUD containing copper is unaffected by the Kegel8 and STIM so no problems there either.

Q. Can I use my Kegel8 when I have a period?

You can use your Kegel8 during your period if you wish, and it is a great way to relieve menstrual cramps and period pain as well as strengthening your pelvic floor at the same time.

Q. Can I use the Kegel8 whilst pregnant?

NICE Clinical guidelines advise against using any STIM machines vaginally during pregnancy.

Q I Can't Feel it - Is it working?

You need to adjust the mA's button, that's the plus button (+) on probe side.

Increase the mA's until you can feel your pelvic floor muscles contracting. When you do the hand test you'll find you can only go up to about 8mA's, vaginally you can go a lot higher but make sure you keep it comfortable, but get a strong muscle contraction. Kegel8's actually go to a maximum of 90mA's.

Increase the mA's - remember the stronger the pull, the stronger the exercise the minimum level of mAs you should work to with a vaginal probe is 30.

Q. I aim to have my mA's on 40 but on some programmes it drops to 30, why is that?

When the programme goes through its preset routine the pulse width and pulse length varies, when the pulse rate and length increase the mA's drop so that the intensity does not take you by surprise! So if you feel a decrease in intensity increase the mA's back up to a level that you can feel working.

Q. How soon after giving birth can I start with my Kegel8?

Consult with your Midwife or Doctor. Generally women feel happy to start after a successful six week check-up.

Q. I have just had pelvic floor surgery, how soon can I start to use the Kegel8?

Consult with your Doctor or Consultant, every case is different, but the Kegel8 could help to speed your recovery. Stress Incontinence, and prolapse is usually a sign of a weak pelvic floor, so if you have had an operation to help with either of these conditions you will still need to strengthen it. The Kegel8 is ideal, but check with your Doctor or physiotherapist.

Q I find it painful inserting the probe?

Use the lubricant, this isn't supplied just to help make insertion easier, it also helps with the conductivity. The better conductivity is the more the muscle will be exercised and the more mA's you'll be able to achieve. If you are menopausal you could be suffering from vaginal atrophy, this causes vaginal dryness, thinning of the vaginal membrane and great discomfort. If the lubricant does not help, your Doctor can prescribe a course of oestrogen cream, use this for the recommended time, and then re commence using the Kegel8. Remember the pelvic floor needs to be exercised, do not be put off by vaginal atrophy, there are easy solutions for all women to overcome this painful condition.

Q. Why are there two channels?

Channel A (left hand side) is generally used for a vaginal probe, Channel B on the right hand side is generally used for an anal probe. If you have suffered from an anal prolapse please telephone us and we can help you with a customised programme for your condition, a selection of anal probes are also available. You can also use electrodes with your Kegel8; these high quality skin electrodes can be used outside the body to help strengthen muscles even further.

Q How do I clean my probe?

Simply rinse the probe part under the tap or spray with KE Klean antibacterial cleanser, keeping the wires dry at all times. Do not boil the probe. If you want to use the same probe vaginally to anally this is OK, but always thoroughly clean it because bacteria can transfer from the anus.

Q Why can I only feel the stimulation on one side?

You do not have proper connectivity with the probe you need to adjust your exercising position, ensuring the probe touches both sides of the vagina/muscle wall. If your vagina has been stretched through childbirth and you are not feeling the probe on both sides, you need to sit with your legs tightly together, squeezing your pelvic floor as much as you can against the probe.

If connectivity is nt the problem, you may have experienced nerve damage - this is common with natural childbirth and a result of baby head. There are probes you can use which you can increase one side stimulation more than the other have a look at the Perisize Vaginal Probe it is nickle free and can be controlled from both cannels (A and B) for a really intense work out. Don't forget the lubricant such as KE Kegel Exercise Gel to add greater conductivity.

Q I can't find an answer to my question?

Give us a call, we have personal experience of the Kegel8 and if we can't answer it, the medical manufactures will.

You'll find more questions and answers here;

Initially we recommend you use the Kegel8 either reclining or sitting with your legs elevated. This will help you to get used to the Kegel8 sensation and also to stop the probe being displaced. It is important that the probe maintains contact with the muscle to contract and exercise it properly. If you do not get an effective contact with the probe you will find that you cannot increase the mA's past level 6, 7 or 8. Please remember the higher the mA's the better the programme will be - more mA's = stronger pelvic exercising.

When you are sitting with your legs elevated (e.g. sitting up in bed reading) try altering the angle of your legs, bring your knees up, variations like this will alter the angle of the vagina ensuring different areas of the pelvic floor muscle are exercised, ensuring maximum contact with the probe, to enable higher mA's.

When you get more proficient you may want to move around with the Kegel8, you’ll find that you can walk, iron, watch TV or check your e mails all the time while exercising!

If you have a prolapse

If you have a prolapse, it is recommended that you do the kegel exercises lying down with your hips elevated. Put a pillow or cushion under your bottom – this will ensure that pressure is not bearing down onto your pelvic floor as you exercise. You may also find it easier to exercise first thing in the morning, before your pelvic organs have time to 'settle' or drop.

As with allthings Kegel8 - if you have any queries at all, please call our friendly customer services help line on 01482 496 932 we're here Monday - Friday 9 - 5 (GMT).

The Kegel8 Ultra and Ultra Plus has 14 pelvic exercise programmes for different needs developed by healthcare professionals:

P01 Pain Relief

• Vulvodynia is a chronic pain condition in your vulva. You may feel the pain as a burning, stinging, itching, irritating or a raw feeling.
• Undiagnosed pelvic pain

P02 Urge/Prolapse

• Urge incontinence - you don’t have leakage problems, just the urge to pass urine.
• Bladder and/or Vaginal prolapse

P03 Stress Incontinence 1

• Stress incontinence - You leak urine when you cough, sneeze, run or during lovemaking. This programme is set at a rate of 40Hz, the level favoured by UK physiotherapists.

P04 Stress Incontinence 2

• Stress incontinence - You leak urine when you cough, sneeze, run or during lovemaking. This programme is set at a rate of 30Hz, the level favoured by Scandinavian physiotherapists.

P05 Frequency/Urge Incontinence

• Frequency & Urge Incontinence - You have the urge and frequency to actually pass urine several times during the day and night, this programme is favoured by UK therapists and it uses a work/rest programme.
• New Mothers - you’ve had your 6 week check-up and you want to get back in shape and restore your pelvic floor. (After 12 weeks you can progress onto PO8 the thorough Pelvic Floor Exercises programme, a couple of times a week.)

P06 & P07 Frequency Urge

• Frequency & Urge Incontinence - You have the urge and frequency to actually pass urine several times during the day and night. This programme uses continuous stimulation as used in Scandinavian countries.

P08 Lack of Sensitivity

• Kegel Exercise for New Mothers - Following the birth of your baby you may have good muscle control but a lack of sensitivity.
• Following Pelvic Floor Surgery - Nerve damage will diminish sensations; this programme helps to recondition the muscle and to facilitate nerve sprouting to regain sensitivity.

P09 Pelvic Floor or Kegel Work Out

• Perimenopausal, Postmenopausal and Menopausal Women - Use this work-out to strengthen your muscles that will weaken as your oestrogen levels drop.
• All Women - An excellent overall pelvic floor workout.
• New Mothers - after 12 weeks of P05, progress onto P08 twice a week or as necessary.

P010 Endurance

• All Women - Your pelvic muscle tone is reasonable, you can contract your pelvic floor muscles but you can't hold the contraction for long. This will help you squeeze for longer.

P010 Relaxing the Pelvic Floor Muscles

• This programme is to help relax the pelvic muscle after the excercises, when the pelvic muslce has been working hard and some fatigue may have resulted. The very low 2 Hz frequency will help to relax the muscle.

You do! All women need a Kegel8! Your pelvic floor muscle is what’s known as an involuntary muscle and if you don’t exercise it it will atrophy, that means the mass of the muscle decreases; it can be partial or a complete wasting away. Initially you might notice the occasional “laughter leaks” or maybe reduced intimate sensation or “something coming down” these are the warning signs that your muscles need strengthening. If you want to avoid further deterioration such as prolapse you need to Kegel8.

How does a Kegel8 work?

It delivers an electronic pulse to your muscles from the probe. This pulse makes your muscles contract, automatically making them work. This is an ideal way to exercise muscles that are weak because the machine makes the muscles work. It literally brings the muscles, fibres and ligaments of the pelvic floor back to life; when it is exercised it stimulates blood flow increasing your circulation, blood brings oxygen which in turn feeds your muscle making it strong and supportive once again.

What does it feel like?

It is really comfortable to use, you’ll feel a pulling sensation as the muscle contracts.

Is it just for naughty thrills?

Not at all! It is a Grade IIa Medical Device; it makes your pelvic floor muscles stronger, and reverses the embarrassing effects associated with a weak pelvic floor. The fact that you are using a probe in your vagina means that it is getting deep into the muscle bed to do the strengthening exercises correctly. Your love-life however will benefit from a stronger pelvic floor giving you and your partner increased sensations and deeper orgasms.

How often do I need to use it?

Initially we recommend you use it once a day for 12 weeks. Select the programme that is right for you and the Kegel8 will strength your pelvic floor - you’ll find that it is fast, efficient and easy. After your 12 week Exercise Plan, you can then reduce it to a couple of times a week.

Do I need to do it forever?

Like any exercise routine you have to incorporate it into your lifestyle, and then you will continue to reap the benefits of a strong pelvic floor. If you stop doing pelvic floor exercises your muscles will weaken again and all those benefits will be lost. With the Kegel8 maintenance is simple, just a couple of times a week will keep you tight for life!