I had “vaginal botox” to treat the annoying problem

SITTING at her desk and feeling an aggressive tickle on her neck, Nicola Mannakee suddenly began to panic – she knew exactly what was about to happen and she was powerless to stop it.

Of course, no sooner had he coughed than he felt a familiar warm trickle as a small sting came out – leaving the frustrated office manager hunkered down in the bathroom.

Since turning 30, Nicola has suffered from stress incontinence.

This meant that every time she coughed, sneezed or even laughed she would temporarily lose control of her bladder.

As a result, she had to constantly wear incontinence underwear, which would have to be changed several times a day.

But Nicola, from London, is not alone.

According to Incontinence UK, the health problem affects around 300 million people worldwide – around 5% of the population.

Bladder and Bowel in the UK It is estimated that around 14 million people in the UK suffer from incontinence problems.

Like many, it was a nagging problem that Nicola, now 41, suffered for nearly a decade in silence.

That was before she discovered a revolutionary vaginal rejuvenation treatment – ​​a gentle, non-invasive treatment that uses radio frequencies to stimulate collagen and improve blood flow.

This type of treatment – ​​of which there are many different options – is sometimes referred to as ‘vaginal botox’.

Senior Advisor Maia Arezou at Sadaf Jaffari Clinic says: “Just as Botox can tighten skin by relaxing facial muscles, Morpheus8V uses radio frequency energy to stimulate collagen production and tighten vaginal and pelvic tissues.

“This can lead to improved tone and firmness in the vaginal area, which is why it is sometimes compared to Botox.

“It can help improve the appearance of the vulva, making it look more youthful and toned, reducing sagging or age-related changes.”

“It made me feel so ashamed”

Incontinence wasn’t a problem for Nicola until she was in her thirties, but then it became a nagging problem that plagued her for nearly a decade.

Nicola, who lives with her husband of 12 years, says: “I basically suffered from stress incontinence throughout my thirties until I got treatment.

“The first time it happened – I think I was either at work or at home one day – and I had a really bad coughing fit and a bit of stinging came out. I just couldn’t stop it.

“I was absolutely floored, it was such a shock. My bladder seemed weaker since then.

“It made me feel so ashamed. Incontinence, especially if you’re young, is just so ‘taboo’ and not something people talk about openly.

“It would happen every day and I would have to wear underwear every day just in case – I was afraid I would end up wearing horrible adult nappies as I got a bit older if I didn’t find treatment.”

Going into the store and buying incontinence underwear in my thirties was uncomfortable and embarrassing and I didn’t understand what was causing it.

Nikola

There are several types of urinary incontinence, including stress incontinence, which is when urine leaks at times when your bladder is under pressure. for example, when you cough or laugh.

It can be caused by pregnancy or childbirth, increasing age, obesity or a family history of the condition.

For Nicola, she was never sure exactly what caused the problem.

She says: “I’ve never had kids or been pregnant so I’m not sure what caused it or if it’s just stress.

“I think women getting older is something that happens, and obviously it happens a lot with pregnancy – but I was so young.

“Going into the store and buying incontinence underwear in my thirties was uncomfortable and embarrassing and I didn’t understand what was causing it.”

“Every time I basically cried a little bit”

From there the problem got progressively worse, until it was happening every day – sometimes multiple times a day.

She says: “I tried everything, I did pilates and pelvic floor exercises and I tried exercise equipment, which helped a little, but not enough.

“If I coughed or sneezed I would try to cross my legs to stop the problem, but nothing really seemed to work. It was really frustrating.”

Sometimes it was unavoidable. Nicola adds: “It happened every time I coughed, or even if I sneezed or laughed.

“It would also happen if I went for a run or jumped on a trampoline – every time I would basically cry a little bit.

“It would happen every day, sometimes up to four times a day if I had a cough, so I would wear tights every day just in case.

“I could easily go through two or three underwear a day – a couple of boxes a month – so I always made sure I had a stash, just in case. It was embarrassing and I just tried not to talk about it.”

“I would be upset”

Nicola learned how to deal with the problem privately – but it was a source of great embarrassment.

She says: “If I was in public when it happened, I would be upset. Sometimes I had to stop what I was doing, walk away and just go home.

“I’m in the office a lot, so that was the main concern.

“One time I was at work wearing light jeans, and it happened and the wet patch was clearly visible.

“I couldn’t change or dry my jeans or anything obviously so I just had to go home. Luckily I had a long jacket on so I could cover it up.”

Over the years Nicola got used to the problem and learned to deal with it on her own.

She says: “My partner knew from the time we got together and was supportive, but we didn’t really talk about it and I generally chose to deal with it alone.

“It would affect sex as I felt like I couldn’t relax properly and be in the moment – I was always worried it would happen.”

Nicola didn’t talk about her problem with anyone until she was in her forties.

She says: “It seemed that women’s health problems and menopause became more acceptable to talk about. Then I realized how common the problem actually is.”

“The results were life changing”

Two years ago, Nicola finally discovered a treatment that gave her hope for a underwear-free lifestyle.

She says: “My best friend told me about this new treatment and I just said ‘sign up’.

“I was willing to try anything if there was a chance it would work.”

The specific treatment Nicola had was the Morpheus8V Inmode Vaginal Rejuvenation Therapy and V-Tone Pelvic Floor Stimulation, which she started a year ago.

The results were life changing… Truly a game changer.

Nikola

Nicola has now had four of the six recommended sessions, which cost around £950 per session but can vary – and her stress incontinence is completely gone.

Arezou at Sadaf Jaffari Clinic adds: “The treatment uses radio frequency energy to stimulate collagen production and tighten tissues in the vaginal and pelvic floor area.

“By stimulating the deeper layers of the skin and tissues, Morpheus8V helps strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, boosts collagen production and improves tissue elasticity.

“This leads to better bladder support, reducing the chance of inadvertent urine leakage.”

Nicola says: “It was amazing. It really changed the game.

“The results were life-changing. The treatment I had is like micro-acupuncture with radio frequency, using a stick that goes in.

“You can’t really feel it and I no longer suffer from incontinence at all.

“Touch wood, I haven’t had to buy a single incontinence pad since the beginning of last year and I haven’t had an accident.

“I got it for free as I volunteered to do it for training, but I know it’s not cheap – around £950 a session. IWorth every penny and should be more widely available.

“The doctor I see swears by it and has really been trying to push for it to be available on the NHS for years. Every maternity hospital should have it available for women with vaginal delivery.

“Women have to put up with so much already with menopause, pain and periods – but we should be more aware of what treatment options are out there and they should be more readily available on the NHS, as it’s not cheap.”

Fortunately, it has also had a positive impact on Nicola’s sex life with her partner, who has also noticed a positive change.

She adds: “Before I couldn’t enjoy sex as much, so I’ve definitely seen a change there.

“I feel more and when we are intimate now I can focus on being in the moment, whereas before my mind was somewhere else and I felt uncomfortable.

“I definitely have more of a spring in my step now!”