Would you pass the trampoline test?

OK. I know I've been teasing you with my 'interesting' product that I brought back from the Kind & Jugend show at Cologne and you're all dying to know what it is. Well I can reveal it's an....
....electronic pelvic floor exerciser.

I know that some of you think I'm obsessed with my pelvic floor (notably the lovely Claire from My Little Patch who was very amused by the sticker on my car steering wheel reminding me to do my pelvic floor exercises. Which I have been doing, honestly).

But I still failed the trampoline challenge when I was on holiday with the kids with a (TMI warning) tiny trickle of wee escaping whilst I was bouncing!

There's a reason that the maternity towels sit right alongside the Tena lady you know. They're lurking there, waving at me every time I walk by, reminding me that if I don't take action I could be a Tena lady in a few years time, needing towels all the time.

At least towels have moved on since my Nanny and her 'pantaloons' and HUGE washable pads in the '70's.  (While you're here, PLEASE check out our fantastic selection of reusable incontinence pads & womens incontinence pants which is youre suffering from incontinence are SO much nicer to use than horrid disposables.  Better for the planet too!)

Anyway, when I arrived at the trade show in Cologne I was delighted to find the friendly gang from Tens care were on the stand beside me. These are the people behind the Mamatens machines for use as pain relief during labour which I used and thought was really helpful in taking my mind off the contractions - until I got into the bath of course! I got chatting to them and they showed me their other key products, and the iTouch sure pelvic floor exerciser immediately caught my eye. (Mother of 4 kids, of COURSE that's what caught my eye...)

Continence stimulation is a therapeutic, safe and highly effective treatment for incontinence that is recommended by doctors, continence advisors and physiotherapy departments throughout the world.
Karina and Claire explained that about 25% of ladies suffer post-natally and would fail the trampoline challenge just as I did, which I have to say made me feel a bit better. So, how does it work?

Tenscare itouch is NOT a vibrator!

The gadget does come with batteries and you do have to insert the little wand internally but that's where the similarity to a vibrator ends! Although you can use it whilst watching TV (!) I use it whilst I'm reading in bed at night. You do need to lube up the wand with KY or water-based jelly to ensure that it makes good contact (OK, so maybe ONE more similarity to a vibrator then...), stick it up and then switch on.

You use the machine for 20 minutes a day, choosing the programme that suits your requirements - I do stress and urge programmes on alternate days. Once the machine is on, you rack up the power until it feels uncomfortable and then turn it down a notch - so far I've racked it up to 75 and it goes as far as 99.

The machine then pulses on and off for the appropriate time and you're encouraged to try to squeeze your muscles when it's pulsing. It's a bit of a strange sensation, more dull than using a tens machine externally but you can definitely feel it working.

Having had a chat with the girls last week, 2 others out of the 9 of us admitted to having the same problem, but no-one talks about it which is a shame. I think we should all 'fess up to our weak pelvic floors and then just do something about it!  We shouldn't be embarrassed, after all we work out the rest of our bodies after childcare to help it back to normal, why shouldn't we do the same with our inners?

If you don't fancy sticking a pulsing electric device up your vagina, Secret Whispers Pelvic Floor Toner weights are a fantastic alternative - cheaper too! 

If you were interested in this article, you might also find these useful:

• 10 Top Tips on how to help urinary incontinence
• How to choose the right incontinence products

About the author:  Helen Rankin is founder of Cheeky Wipes, the original environmentally sustainable baby wipes kit, founded in 2008. Cheeky Wipes were awarded the Queens Award for Enterprise for their sustainable development goals in 2021. Team Cheeky pride themselves on helping people make the switch to reusables EASY, with a range of eco friendly products including period pants and cloth sanitary pads. The Team LOVE to chat pee, poo and periods, providing advice to customers with helpful questionnaires.