Survey finds that 82% of Irish women suffer severe symptoms of pelvic floor weakness

Innovotherapy, the first treatment of its kind for pelvic floor weakness launched to Irish market

Dublin, 27th October: Pelvic floor weakness, also known as bladder weakness or urinary incontinence, is a widespread issue, affecting one in three women in varying degrees of severity. In fact, 82% of Irish women consider their symptoms to be severe, while 55% of women have reported feeling anxious and depressed as a result of this problem and would describe it as having a debilitating effect on their quality of life.[1]

Research has shown that bladder weakness is more common than hay fever, with 70% of women wearing absorbent pads to deal with it. What’s more, 68% never seek medical help, 20% say it has impacted their sex life, and a staggering 48% of women are affected after giving birth.[2]

Those are the findings of a survey conducted by Galway–based Atlantic Therapeutics, the developers of Innovotherapy, a new patented technology to treat pelvic floor weakness.

Today, Atlantic Therapeutics launch INNOVO®, their ground–breaking medical device onto the Irish market. Innovotherapy is the first treatment of its kind; non–invasive, easy to use, comfortable, safe and effective.

Innovotherapy directly targets pelvic floor weakness, the root cause of urinary leaks, unlike many other treatments which simply mask the symptoms. It is clinically proven and has already changed the lives of thousands of women in the UK, Germany and France.

At the INNOVO® launch, Dr Nina Byrnes, GP and TV Presenter, spoke about pelvic floor weakness and the impact it can have on women both physically and emotionally.

She said, “The symptoms of pelvic floor weakness are widespread and are unbearable for many. Its effects make many women hesitant to do simple, everyday things such as go for a walk or even enjoy a good laugh because of it, yet it’s rare that they seek help or treatment for the problem. Culturally, we don’t speak about sensitive topics and pelvic floor weakness for women is one of the most sensitive topics there is, especially following pregnancy and childbirth.

“It’s so important that we break the barrier of silence surrounding this issue and encourage women to talk to each other and if necessary, seek medical advice. It is only by doing so that we can really start to tackle its combined physical and emotional impacts.”

There are many causes of pelvic floor weakness, including pregnancy and childbirth, menopause, over–exercising and being overweight.

Aisling Maher from Carlow was struck with the effects of a weak pelvic floor after having her second baby and was unprepared for how they would affect her daily life. Like a lot of women in Ireland (72%), Aisling felt that she couldn’t even leave her house without knowing in advance when she would be near a bathroom. After years of suffering and unsuccessful surgery, she began Innovotherapy this summer.

Commenting on her experience with pelvic floor weakness and the treatment, she said, “Having to constantly be aware of where the nearest toilet is, or even knowing that while exercising I would need to find a bathroom, has been part of my routine for years. It is an embarrassing topic and it’s talked about so little that it can make you feel very isolated.

I have been using Innovotherapy for 12 weeks and I can really see a difference. The physical symptoms have reduced significantly and as a result, I’m starting to sleep through the night again and gain my confidence back, especially when it comes to going out or exercising. Put simply, in 12 short weeks Innovo has made a huge difference to my life,” she concluded.

INNOVO® consists of a hand held controller attached to a two–part garment, that sends targeted impulses via conductive pads (attached to your upper thigh and buttocks) to safely and effectively activate all the muscles of the pelvic floor. This proven technology called Innovotherapy has been designed to optimally strengthen the pelvic floor with 180 perfect contractions per session, allowing INNOVO® to do your pelvic floor exercises for you. Users can actually feel their entire pelvic floor being recruited without having to do any voluntary activation, leaving no room for error. You can use it in the comfort of your own home while having some ‘me time’. Within 4 weeks, 93% of users noticed a significant reduction in urinary leaks and by 12 weeks, 86% of users were defined as “dry” or “almost dry.”[3]

Dr Nina Byrnes endorses the use of electro–stimulation to treat pelvic floor weakness and calls on women to take steps to end their suffering.

“It’s a severe problem, but it’s a treatable problem. The launch of this product shows the steps that have been taken to ensure effective treatment and I would urge anyone who is suffering urinary leaks to seriously consider the ways that they can treat it. I would also encourage women to talk to each other and lean on each other. It’s embarrassing, but I think we would all be surprised by how many of us are going through the same thing,” she said.

Steve Atkinson, CEO of Atlantic Therapeutics, commented: “We have put all our expert knowledge and experience on this issue into one place at restorethefloor.com. We are committed to helping restore the pelvic floor, and confidence, of the millions of women who have to deal with bladder weakness. Whether it’s through our information hub or through Innovotherapy, we want to help.”

Innovotherapy is available at selected Lloyds Pharmacy outlets and online for €399 at www.restorethefloor.com/ie. Further expert and patient resources are also available to users via the free INNOVO® App which also allows women to track their progress.

Ends

[1] INNOVO® Survey of Irish women, August 2016

[2] INNOVO® Lifestyle Report, 2015

[3] 2 Soeder, S, Tunn, R: NMES stimulation of the pelvic floor muscles using a non–invasive device in the treatment of SUI; a pilot study. IUGA Conference 2013.

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