This is the follow up in my Innovo reviews series.
I’ve been using Innovo for about six weeks now. In case you need a refresher, take a quick read of my introductory post here or, if you’re too lazy to click a link, (shame on you), then you’ll just have to pick it up as you go along. It won’t be the same though, so your loss.
So what is Innovo?
Didn’t I just say that you had to read the post introducing Innovo? Well I meant it. Off you go.
Okay, okay.
Innovo is a non-invasive way to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, which basically means you don’t have to insert anything anywhere. It’s essentially two big, wide straps, that you attach to your thighs, and which then send electrical impulses to key muscles. These in turn stimulate your pelvic floor muscles to contract – six times per minute – in a bid to strengthen your pelvic floor and stop you doing a wee in your pants every time you sneeze or go on a trampoline. (Both of which *may* have happened to me.) If you’re interested generally in how things like Innovo work, and how you can take care of your health, you can read more on various health topics at digitalhealthpost.com.
NOTE: Innovo has moved on since I did this review and now comes in much handier all in one shorts!
What does Innovo feel like?
I’m not going to lie – Innovo is uncomfortable to start with. You’re advised to start off slowly and build up over a few sessions while you get used to the sensation. When you first start, it really hurts at 30, and you wonder how you’ll ever progress, but you do very quickly adjust. Just experiment with upping the pulse bit by bit but don’t worry, you will get there in the end.
It’s an odd feeling, because you lose control of your own muscles, and get to watch them contract and relax independently of you. Once you have built up a bit of resistance though, it’s quite satisfying, and you can definitely feel it working your pelvic floor muscles.
I think the person who has enjoyed me using Innovo and writing these Innovo reviews most so far has been Belle. She hasn’t actually used it herself, but she has developed a unique way of ‘encouraging’ me to do it regularly. Essentially she just really hassles me, and makes me feel bad about myself as a parent, if I make any noise like I might be about to skip an allotted day. This sounds a bit cruel but actually it has been really useful for me. I’m not known for having the strongest willpower and it is a bit of a faff to spend half an hour a day, five days a week, strapping yourself in and out of things. Belle’s emotional blackmail has meant that I’ve actually stuck to the programme and, because of this, I’ve seen real results.
Who knew she would grow up to be a masochist?
Some top tips for using Innovo
A few things that I learnt along the way:
- Innovo’s instructions suggest doing the treatment either standing up or lying down, with your knees slightly raised, but I found it was very painful in my feet if I stood up, so I always do it lying down. Experiment with your position to find what’s most comfortable for you.
- When you peel off the gel pads, do it slowly. If you’re like me, and have a little bit of a wibble going on in the thigh area, they can pull a bit if you try to peel them off too quickly.
- The Innovo monitor will flash up error messages if the pads aren’t connecting properly with your legs, but if you do get an error message, just check first that the leads are all pushed in properly. I’ve had a few instances where it has said that specific pads aren’t making contact, but it has just been that a lead needed a wiggle.
- Try to pick a time of the day that you know will be free most days, as it works best when you can get into a habit with it. Alternatively Belle is available to hire.
- The battery lasts for ages.
Does Innovo work?
I’ve only been using Innovo for about six weeks so far but already I am going to stick my neck out and say yes, Innovo does work.
You’re meant to be able to start to notice results after around six weeks and I definitely have. Sneezing twice in a row doesn’t feel so scary any more and I don’t have to stop in the street and cross my legs to cough, which is always nice. In the past, I’ve always found it difficult to do my own pelvic floor exercises without accidentally tensing my entire bottom, but now I find that even without Innovo, I can do them much more easily and confidently. It feels like the muscles have become more responsive. As I am sat here typing I am contracting and relaxing my pelvic floor, and I bet you can’t even tell can you?
I thought not.
Things not to do with Innovo
On special occasions, I let Belle play a game that she has developed especially for Innovo. There is no scientific backing to it whatsoever, so please do not take this as advice – it’s purely for your amusement and we in no way suggest you recreate this at home. The game involves me, Innovo, a small ceramic pot and a pile of coins. Towards the end of a half hour Innovo session, we will begin. (I can’t start too early or I may not survive.)
The aim of the game is for me to throw coins at Belle, from my prone position on the bed, and for her to catch them in her cup. If she successfully catches three coins, she is allowed to turn the Innovo up by one. If I do a bad throw, she shouts at me or looks sad. It works very well, for her. Not so much for me. The optimum level at which to have your Innovo is 70-75, and I can definitely recommend NOT going up into the 80s, even if it does bring joy to your children, otherwise your face could end up looking like this, which is quite scary, as I didn’t even know my face could do that:
Overall though, coin-in-the-pot game notwithstanding, I’m impressed with the results. Who knows, give it a bit longer and my career as a trampolinist could blossom at last. (Unlikely.)
SHOP INNOVO NOW AND GET YOUR PELVIC FLOOR IN SHAPE!
Sponsored post. I was sent the Innovo for the purposes of these Innovo reviews. All views are my own.
So how is it after the full 12 weeks? I am on week 3
Author
Good Fiona! I need to write it up :-)
Any updates Jo?
I am contemplating urethral sling surgery and was wondering if you could give an update on the Innovo shorts. Thank you so much
Please dont go for the tvt sling option I did and it nearly killed me. Join sling the mesh on Facebook for other people option’s
I had four of those. None of them worked. I don’t recommend it.
Thanks for you’re info. I’ve just started using it and am on my second session. It is bit painful, but no pain, no gain! It’s great to hear that perseverance should pay off, I’m very determined!
It’s been 2.5 years, how are your results? Is it worth purchasing?
I have prolapse have ring pessery fitted which is the ncomfortable An slips now An then I’m seriously thinking about buying innovo it’s lot money to spend I do my excersie but haven’t felt much improvement I have holiday in 12 wks time An don’t fancy this discomfort then
Pls advise x
Author
Well, I wouldn’t like to give advice on the whole pessery ring side of things, I can only say that for me it has definitely made a difference in terms of leaks, so it must have done something!
All I have to say about the pessary is that I am too small.
I’d love an update about your experience. I too have prolapse and pessary, and considering surgery. Did you end up trying the shorts?
Brilliant article! Just used them for first time. My teenage son helped me set it up. Not sure if i done it right? Weird sensation on the bum area? No wear else?
Me too. Only tightening my butt, not front or side (maybe slight tingle).
Keagls feel different.
I hope this works.
I am only in my second week of using Innovo and I already feel a change. I feel confident things will only improve!
Author
That’s great to hear!
I’d love to hear your experience now that is has been a couple of months. Did the Innovo work?
i am on session 3 and being a larger lady i had the size 10 , the only trouble i am finding is because of my large derriere {bum } i feel like it doesnt quite sit right on those lines , so i am going to try and pull the shorts down a bi further so it sits a little better, yes strange feeling as it tingles across my bums cheeks , rather than being underneath my bum line if that makes sense. Hopefully i am losing weight too . I am praying for week 6 to come so i at least wont leak during my sleep at night . The reviews look good
Can anyone tell me if you can use this if you have a pacemaker ???
sorry to say, instruction manual say not recommended for individuals with a pacemaker. Maybe call the company for definitive answer.
I had mesh sling surgery and that has helped with coughing and sneezing but I still have urgency and bladder spasms. Does anyone know if this helps with that?
I would like to know as well
I have prolapse and awaiting scheduling for both a rectocele and cystocele repair. I’m not sure the innovo would be able to eliminate the need for this surgery, but maybe it would help with an optimal outcome…? Has it worked long term for you?
Lauren, I had a prolapsed uterus, tried the pessiary which was terribly uncomfortable. My GYN sent me to a Urogynecologist and he performed a very extensive surgery. A hysterectomy, pulled up the rectum and the bladder. He also pulled up what he called the rest of my lady parts and repaired my pelvic floor. I had slight, infrequent urine leakage and afterwards much worse. I was suppose to insert Premarin cream several times a week for the rest of my life, but it is $150 out of pocket a tube and burns like crazy. They said it would stop burning after a while, but never did. Thinking of trying Innovo.
Read on Amazon that there is a problem of breakage with the product. Anyone experienced that?
I can’t even find them on Amazon.
I found the on Amazon when I googled Innovo reviews
I have used it for 56 times, turned up to 105, and I am still waiting for results to kick in. I am almost out of the solution. I stood up th whole time.