A new app is changing lives in south west London through access to effective help for pelvic health conditions – at home and without the long waits associated with clinic treatment.
One in three women will suffer from urinary incontinence in their lifetime but you’d never know it. Despite the huge numbers affected, stress urinary incontinence remains a taboo that rarely gets talked about. It’s a huge issue, with millions changing their lifestyles to manage the condition – everything from avoiding their children’s trampolines to giving up running or even going out altogether.
Research tells us that women don’t seek help and actually stop doing the things they want as a result.”
According to Wandsworth GP Dr Nicky Williams, gynae lead for south west London: “We know from lots of research that a large proportion of women suffer in silence when it comes to pelvic health. One in three women over 60 leaks urine regularly but we don’t see them in our clinics. Research tells us that women don’t seek help and actually stop doing the things they want as a result.”
In response, doctors in south west London have developed a pelvic health module for the getUBetter app, providing immediate help for patients with stress urinary incontinence, an overactive bladder (also called urge incontinence) and prolapse.
We really want to get the message out there that women don’t need to suffer alone.”
Says Dr Williams: “It’s something women can use for practical advice, in their own homes and it includes videos in 10 languages. We’ve also put posters on toilet doors across surgeries with the QR codes. We really want to get the message out there that women don’t need to suffer alone.”
For all three conditions the app gives detailed information about symptoms and causes. There are self-treatment options, including lifestyle changes that can make a difference; advice on how to exercise without aggravating the condition and what to do if symptoms don’t improve over time.
The app also has a section on pelvic floor exercises to improve the strength of these all important muscles – especially useful for treating stress incontinence. Videos talk the user through training the pelvic floor with clear instructions to help them get the exercises right.
Patients can access the pelvic health module via a QR code from their south west London GP surgery, gynae clinic or some practice websites. There is no need to see a doctor or nurse first.
The getUBetter app provides digital self-management support for a range of musculoskeletal conditions such as back, joint and muscle pain.