Pelvic floor exercises

No one else has replied, I did not use a device, but use the Squeezy app once or twice a day.

Squeezy ap was recommended by nhs physio and reversed a prolapse. Still use it 3 times a day. Brilliant

I was going to reply earlier, briefly- yes and no!
I suffered from stress incontinence for years, got referred to physio for exercises and lent an electronic muscle stimulating device. Then I bought one- used for a while but though there seemed to be slight improvement, as soon as I got a cold and coughed a lot, my pelvic floor weakened again.
Over the years, I was gradually getting worse- soaking lots of pads some days. I asked GP for referral to gynaecologist, expecting possible surgery. However, he suggested a procedure called Bulkamid which I had last August and has been very successful with about 90% improvement.
I know pelvic floor exercises and some electronic devices work for some, but not for me - to get back to original question.

This caught my eye as I tend to need a nudge. I've looked for the Squeezy app but not sure I've found the right thing as it says £2.99.
I've never had an app that needs paying for.
Can anyone enlighten me please?

On the App Store I searched NHS Squeezy, it’s the one top right.

So it's an app and not a device?

Yes

Thankyou Jaxjacky.
I've downloaded it now, but it seems I can't use it without a referral from my health care provider.
That'll be the day.

I just started using mine, so I don’t understand?

Nor do I ... but this is where I got to .. if I can manage to load a picture ..

I bought a contraption on the recommendation of a friend. It's a cumbersome hinged design made of a hard, bilious-pink plastic (blurgh, I hate pink!). You squeeze the two "wings" between your thighs to exercise your pelvic floor muscles (which, btw, hurts your thigh flesh something chronic). It did nothing for my bladder but instead caused some kind of tear inside - I had minor bleeding for several weeks and, even now, if I lift something heavy I'll bleed a tiny bit. Doctor says take it easy, don't use the contraption again and it should heal. The odd thing is, it worked well for my friend! I must be stronger than I thought.

Wrong app grannyjan2 that’s not the nhs one

Thanks Jaxjacky.
The app I downloaded was "nhs squeezy connect". Thus was free, but I needed an invitation to join.
The only one like yours that I can see wants me to buy it for £2.99.
The £2.99 isn't an issue, it's just that I've never come across an app you have to pay for, so I wanted to be sure I was looking at the right thing.

I was hoping somebody might have had some experience with these.
At £40 not cheap but theoretically, they could work? 🤷‍♀️

NHS do basic instruction sheets on pelvic floor exercises.

It’s NHS 10 ways to stop leaks instruction and video.

Thank you for taking the time to reply ..💐

I was told by a physio to sit on a hard chair, imagine you are just about to f**t when the Queen comes in and you have to stand up to curtsey but have to hold it in so as not to cause offence. That is , if laughing doesn’t cause anything worse.. And repeat several times

I used the gp online service which is how you book an appt at my gp, not that you'll see an actual gp, but hey ho. I described my problem of worsening leakage no matter how many pelvic floor excercises I did, and asked to see the incontinence nurse if they had one. I got an appt to see the women's health nurse. She was top class and referred me to a pelvic physio, another woman, fab! I had an ultrasound scan at my appt after a thorough interview and the scan showed I had an issue with one of the little muscles which closes the top of the bladder, there's 2, one was working fine, the other one had nodded off and was just chilling. Not a pelvic floor issue after all. She gave me a single excercise, which was so simple, to try to awaken this muscle, which after about 4 weeks it did, then I had another excercise after that to continue the improvement. So, if you've got a leakage problem, go and see someone instead of stumbling about in the dark with self help which could be useless. It's easier to see a nurse than a gp, and if you have to wait a few weeks for an appt, what difference does a few more weeks make? It made a huge difference to me. The physio was excellent. You might still end up using a gadget or taking a pill, but at least it will be the right one.

Sorry I don’t know how to put links on here but if you go on You Tube and search “Rotunda Hospital Dublin” there are some good videos made by physios at the hospital who specialise in women’s pelvic health. As I remember they don’t recommend devices but they give a good explanation of the pelvic floor and how to do pelvic floor exercises. I think the hospital is a well regarded teaching hospital.

I went to a pelvic floor physiotherapist. It was the best thing I ever did for urine leakage. This was maybe 15 years ago.

I see various devices advertised. I guess they short cut the process of doing the pelvic exercises~~~

I had stress incontinence. I was referred to the well women's clinic. They said kegels exercises and devices wouldn't help me instead I had to avoid coffee, tea, fruit teas, green tea, fruit juice, alcohol. Basically only drink water. I tried that for a few years (I did drink decafinated beverages) but it just got worse. With stress incontinence it's not just a little leak when you cough it's a complete contraction of the bladder which empties suddenly and unpredictably. I used pads and period pants.
Last year I looked at mumsnet recommendations for devices and found a tens device with a programme for stress incontinence. It worked, very quickly I reduced the size of pads and just wear period pants (although I don't really need to). I did have a recurrence when I had flu but normal now and no longer use the device. It relaxes the bladder and isn't unpleasant

I am quite fascinated by all these apps you are talking about.

In Denmark most women with urine incontinence, which after all is many of us over a certain age, just do the exercises that were recommended after childbirth.

Anyone who is uncertain whether she is doing them correctly or not, just makes an appointment with a physiotherapist, a practice nurse, used to dealing with urine incontinence, or a midwife. Some women PT instructors are also qualified to advise.

The important thing, as far as I know is to do the exercises regularly, and if you feel a sneeze, cough or laugh coming on to squeeze everything from your bottom forwards hard.

I have a Kegal8. When I remember to use it, it certainly makes a difference.