Here at Kegel8 we've been looking for Ambassadors to share their Pelvic Floor story and help others to know that they are not alone.
We'd like to introduce Caroline. She is our newest recruit and has an amazing story about how you don't need to suffer in silence. An incredibly active lady, Caroline shows that Pelvic Floor issues should never hold you back!
Read her story...
So I guess the whole pelvic floor problem started about 10 years ago. During a regular visit for a pap test, the doctor told me I had the start of a prolapse. She said did I notice any symptoms. I didn’t.
I think her comment at the time was, "they can surgically fix that now any way".
The Problem Was Ignored
I didn’t think much more of it for a few years. Looking back, had I known about the kegel8 back then, had the doctor been able to suggest things I could do to stop the prolapse from getting worse, maybe the problem could have stopped at that level. The doctor did not even suggest doing kegels. Basically the problem was ignored.
A couple of years later during another visit she mentioned it again. Did not suggest any treatment, but I did go home and start some research. I did find the weights that you can hold in the vagina that would increase the pelvic floor strength and bought them. I used them for a while, but it was really hard to know if it was making a difference.
I Was Fit, My Pelvic Floor Was Not
About ten years ago as well, I tried to do skip class. I am a very fit 64 year old. I go to the gym 4 to 5 times a week, I coach an alpine racing team (I take the gates with the kids), coach a snowboard racing team (took up snowboarding 6 years ago) and run a ski club. I can ski 6 days in row, 6 hours a day with no issues at all. I am fit. But I could not do the skip class because of bladder leakage. It did not matter whether I emptied my bladder right before or not. I was fit, my pelvic floor was not.
I am very health conscious and am always listening to health news. The pelvic floor health issue had totally missed my radar. No one talks about it, no one mentions it.
Looking back there were so many symptoms I missed. The tampon not staying in, less feeling during sex, leaking urine when skipping, the need to urinate right away because you couldn’t hold it. I so wished I had known then what I know now. Had I used the kegel8 then I could have cured those problems and maybe never had the prolapse that I eventually got.
Then about 5 years ago the prolapse moved to probably a level 3, there was now a bulging that could be felt. I honestly felt that if I didn’t put underwear on things would fall out. I restarted doing Kegels, at the stop lights, on the toilet etc. Problem is that the prolapse was now being worked on 24/7 and the results were insignificant.
Kegel8 Was The Best Decision I Ever Made
That’s when I went on line thinking that there must be a better solution to this. I looked at the surgical options and the new meshes had so many law suits out there, I would never consider that. Apart from mesh there was really nothing. Even today I keep checking to see what is out there. Some new things are coming but I am waiting to see how successful they are. Then in my search I came across the Kegel8. I read every review I could find. Though expensive I thought it was worth a try. Best decision I ever made.
Within a week of using it you could tell the difference. I used it for two 20 minute cycles a day. I have used it daily, since getting it about 3 years ago. I have a shower and use it while watching television. The last probe that Stephanie sent me, the latest, is by far the best. It is very strong and comfortable since you can easily sit while using it. The prolapse was no longer thought about all day. No need for kegels at stop lights etc. All I had to do was the 40 minutes at the end of the day. That was the biggest change. It was a big relief that you were doing something that was working and it only took up a small portion of my day.
I can now say that I have no problem with prolapse all day. When you take a shower there is a relaxation that occurs that makes it drop. Otherwise I have no issues all day. I can skip as much as I want and no leakage, sex is better, no immediate need to urinate any more.
I would like to think that the maintenance of the pelvic floor would be a topic that would come up more often in the media. I believe that if people knew they could prevent all of the problems mentioned above, they would want the Kegel8. Three of five friends I have dinner with, have a Kegel8. There is a huge market out there!!! It is easy to see the problem is there when you look at the things being marketed for leaky bladders.
Caroline