From a very young age if I needed to go to the loo it always had to be now. It was a common sight for me to rush through the back door as a young child clutching myself between the legs in my haste to get upstairs. I had frequent accidents and also wet the bed regularly up until the age of about ten. I think the rot probably set in there and I had a weak bladder even then. As a teenager sports could be a nightmare. I don't recall having a problem with leaking then as I recall doing trampolining and not having a problem. The main problem was still needing to go regularly and not having the ability to hold it for long.

At 20 I joined the metropolitan police. The main problem was doing aid - you try policing a football match and needing the loo regularly! I dealt with it by restricting my drinking, something I now know probably aggravated the problem. Even so, I had many a happy chat with football supporters from all different clubs as I queued in full uniform for the loo at Wembley stadium!

"don't be embarrassed, don't be shy, give it a go and persevere....you'll be transformed and so much happier!"

 

I had my first child at 27 and my second at 30. There was no real discussion about pelvic floor exercises after the birth and the problem got worse. I continued to deal with it by restricting my drinking and wearing pads. I always presented a happy face but deep inside it really upset me.

By my forties it was a massive problem. Twice I went to my GP, twice I was referred to a hospital... and twice I backed away, totally humiliated by what I saw as my problem alone. I was stressed, I felt dirty and unclean and worried that I smelt of urine.

Things came to a head about six months ago when I wet myself badly twice in one day. I came home and cried and then rang my GP there and then whilst I was having a wash I could feel what I thought might be a prolapse. I knew things could not go on like this.

I also logged onto the internet and typed in stress incontinence. It took me to the Kegel8 website and I read it with fascination. I dithered for a day or so as I was a single mum and £150 was a lot of money but I was so desperate by then that the trusty credit card came out.

"I'm so much more confident with Kegel8"

 

Several days later my Kegel8 Ultra 20 arrived and I looked at it rather dubiously. Could this really do what it promised? I took myself upstairs, banning the kids from following me. I read the handbook thoroughly and decided to give it a try. My first attempt ended in a slight electric shock down there; not pleasant at all! I was very disappointed, thinking I'd wasted my money, but the next day I tried again and I persevered. The kids knew that when I trotted off to bed at night I needed to be left alone for that crucial 40 minutes each day.

That first 12 weeks I never missed a day, no matter how tired I was; even if I got home from work in the early hours of the morning. After a few weeks I noticed results. I felt so much more in control and I could go out anywhere without plotting my journey by how many loos were along the route. I no longer wear a pad, just a small panty liner and I am so much happier and more confident. I can walk my dogs for long distances and go for a coffee with my daughter without a second thought.

Of course I still have the occasional issue. I still sometimes run in from work dropping my bags and shouting "gangway" but it's occasional and it's controllable. I've lost count of how many women I have recommended Kegel8 to. The girls at work, friends, even the other day, I was taking a statement from a woman and we got onto the subject of leaky bits and amidst the laughter I wrote down the details of my Kegel8 Ultra 20. I have even recommended it to my NHS consultant! As she discharged me from no longer needing surgery I explained about the Kegel8 and that it had to be cheaper for the NHS and less traumatic for women to be prescribed this.

So what's my final message, ladies? It's this - don't be embarrassed, don't be shy, give it a go and persevere....you'll be transformed and so much happier!