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Imagine you’re in a lift with your mother-in-law — why this unusual expert advice can help women suffering in silence

24 April 2018

Elaine Miller is on a mission to help women who suffer from stress incontinence.

It’s a common condition that affects one in three women at some point during their lives, although many will be too embarrassed to get help. However, in most cases, stress incontinence can be remedied by exercise.

And as Elaine, a physiotherapist and comedian, revealed on Cradle to Grave, doing these exercises just three times a day for three months can be enough to sort the problem. All you need is a little imagination and some prompting from Elaine herself...

Elaine’s advice for a perfect pelvic floor

Pelvic Floor Tweeting

“We won’t pee with a 10-10-3” Elaine Miller reminds us how to engage our pelvic floor.

What is stress incontinence?

Stress incontinence is the leaking of urine when the bladder is under pressure, such as during laughing, coughing or sneezing.

It often manifests after pregnancy, although obesity, aging, or a family history of incontinence can also be a cause.

A 2012 study found that 86% of those with the condition could be cured by physiotherapy.

Dealing with an embarrassing issue

The programme in full

More useful advice

  • Woman’s Hour

    Mark Slack, Head of Urogynaecology at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge on the symptoms, causes and treatments for urinary incontinence.

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