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Bladder Problem Questions

What causes bladder weakness?

The average woman has 20 pounds (9kg) of organs sitting on her pelvic floor. When you cough, laugh, sneeze, run, jump, or exercise those organs are forced downward and they hit against the pelvic floor, weakening it. During pregnancy, that extra weight sits on your pelvic floor too. Also during vaginal child birth, the muscles can tear and exacerbate the problem. As women age and go through the menopause the decrease in estrogen levels weakens the pelvic muscles and also increases the likelihood of becoming incontinent. Excess weight, constipation and also smoking make matters worse.

What is the normal amount a bladder holds?

The bladder is an expandable container and it generally corresponds to body types and sizes. In general a woman can hold about a litre* or 2 pints of liquid in her bladder. *source Magill's Medical Guide Volume III 1998. With a weak pelvic floor you will only be able to hold a few hundred milliliters.

What is the normal number of trips to the toilet in a day?

Many doctors say that you should not go to the bathroom more then 6-8 times a day on average. Also you should not be waking up in the middle of the night to use the toilet.

Is the Athena Right for me?

Will the Athena help my problem?

With proper use and unless there are hidden health issues it should alleviate your incontinence. Just like muscle training for any part of your body, best results are achieved with a consistent exercise program. The Athena is programmed to run for 15 minutes each time you use it. Positive results have been found in women who use the Athena twice a day for a total of 30 minutes.

Will I be cured?

The Athena is not a cure it is a treatment. You must follow the programme and then continue to use the Athena as maintenance to keep the muscles strong.

What else can be helped?

Pelvic pain such as vulvadynia. The Athena helps to relax a muscle in spasm. There have also been reports of the Athena helping women who have suffered a prolapse.

How does it work?

The Athena uses a gentle electrical impulse to stimulate the nerves and contract and relax the pelvic floor muscles.

How long is each contraction?

The Athena has a sequence of 2.5 seconds contracting, and 2.5 seconds relaxing. In a 15 minute session that is 180 contractions, try doing that manually!

How long do I use it for?

The Athena is programmed for 15 minutes, you turn it on and it automatically turns off after 15 mins.

How long will I have to use the Athena before I see results?

Each individual is different. It varies with age, weight, overall health, the menopause, and in many cases, the number of vaginal childbirths the woman has experienced. In the best case scenario, you will notice tightening of the pelvic muscle after about 30 days of use. Once you have succeeded in strengthening the pelvic muscle and are back in control of your bladder, we suggest that you continue exercising (perhaps with a reduced schedule), for maximum effectiveness and to maintain good pelvic health. After all, you try to keep the other muscles in your body toned and taut... so don't neglect this very important one!

What does it feel like?

You should feel a slight tingling then almost a fluttering sensation and once it is at the right level you should feel the muscle contract and then relax. If you have the level too high it may feel uncomfortable so take it easy and always start with the dial turned to 5.

I cannot feel if I am doing my exercises manually, will I be able to feel the Athena?

Athena is designed to rehabilitate the pelvic floor through neruomuscular re-education. It may take some time but you should get some sensation back in your muscles.

I have a prolapsed cervix. Does this condition prohibit my use of the Athena?

Only your doctor can determine that for you since each prolapse is unique. It usually can be used with a stage 2 prolapse or less.

Can I use the Athena after surgery?

Yes you can. Many people use it to try to avoid surgery and we have had some great results and saved a lot of unnecessary disruption to people’s lives. The Athena can be used both pre and post surgery or if you are doing bio feedback or taking medication for incontinence, the Athena can improve your success rate. The Athena is complimentary with most other forms of treatment.

How long should I wait after surgery to use the Athena?

You should wait until you have healed which is typically about 6 weeks after surgery. Many women find the Athena particularly helpful after a hysterectomy because this operation can cause bladder weakness.

I am allergic to some metallic materials. Will I have a reaction to the Athena?

All of the physical properties of the Athena meet European C.E and U.S. FDA standards. The metal used on the probe is stainless steel.

I have the coil fitted, can I still use the Athena?

Yes, it is perfectly safe to use the Athena if you have the coil fitted.

Why is it more expensive than other devices?

The Athena is cordless and uses the very latest wireless technology. In effect we have 2 mini computers that talk to each other. Other wired electrical stimulation devises have more basic technology and only one computer.

How Long Has The Athena been for sale?

The 1st Athena was sold in the USA in October 2004.

Contraindications

Can I use it if I’m pregnant?

No. This is not advisable. We suggest you do manual pelvic floor exercises while you are pregnant.

How soon after childbirth can I use the Athena?

It is highly recommended that new mothers begin pelvic floor rehabilitation as soon as possible after giving birth. You should consult with your doctor to determine when to start using the Athena Pelvic Floor Exerciser. In general doctors recommend waiting 6 weeks but if you are comfortable and have had intercourse you should be fine.

Warnings

* Do not use in water or while bathing
* Keep out of the reach of children
* Do not use if you have a pacemaker
* Do not use if you are pregnant
* Do not use simultaneously with high-frequency hospital equipment (e.g. diathermy equipment). It may result in burns at the site of the electrodes and possible damage to the trainer.

Precautions

* The Athena should not remain inserted when the unit is not in use.
It should not be used while you:
• are sleeping
• have anything else in your vagina such as a tampon, diaphragm or are engaging in sexual intercourse.
• are engaging in any activity that could place the Athena in contact with water (e.g. swimming, bathing)
• are driving a motor vehicle
• are having your menstrual period
You should discontinue treatments and contact your health care professional if you:
• feel any abnormal pain
• notice abnormal vaginal discharge, irritation to the tissues, or vaginal bleeding not associated with your usual menstrual cycle
• experience burning when you urinate or other symptoms associated with a urinary infection
• have any lesions on your perineum

Other Treatment options

What are the treatment options?

• Manual pelvic floor exercises (Kegels). They work but they take a lot of self discipline
• Bio feedback – Requires going to a bio-feedback facility to learn this technique. Then at home you insert a passive measuring device which monitors whether you are doing the exercises correctly.
• Vaginal weights or cones are another passive device that assist you in doing manual pelvic floor exercises.
• Drug therapy – Of course there can be side-effects and drugs are expensive
• Surgery – Bladder neck injections, vaginal repairs, bladder neck suspensions or lifts and sling procedures. Unfortunately surgery can only lift the pelvic floor and the muscles remain weak so eventually gravity takes over again and surgery is often repeated every 2 years. There is always a risk with surgery and this is a very invasive procedure
• Wired electrical stimulation devices. Having a cord restricts usage and limits flexibility and privacy
• Athena: the only cordless electrical stimulation device available

Tell me some more about the medication/drugs?

Medication/ drugs are designed to dry the cells in the vagina. The cells in the vagina and in the mouth are the same type. So the side effect is if you dry the cells in the vagina you also dry them in the mouth. Some women find that the medications dry their whole body out and make them itchy and uncomfortable. Also most of the drugs are derived from anti-cholinergics and a side effect is often a decrease in sexual desire, arousal and response. Also some incontinence drugs can effect blood pressure or interfere with other medications. In trials the placebo results have not been significantly different from the actual drugs and most people often find the side effects too difficult to cope with. The medication also does not increase the muscle strength so it creates drug dependence and increases the potential for adverse side effects.

Using my Athena for the first time

How do I insert it?

The exerciser portion of the Athena is inserted just like a tampon. We recommend a prone or semi-prone position for inserting the Athena.

How do I remove it?

The easiest way is to use about a 14" length of sanitary dental floss (non flavoured). Thread it through the eyelet on the Trainer and tie at the end. Many women are able to push it out as they stand up after the session has ended.

How can I tell that it is “ON?”

You should feel a contraction of the muscles which feels like trying to suppress the urge to urinate and then letting go. If you don't feel this type of contraction, take the tip of your finger and move the Athena slightly until it finds the right place for you. Many women say they find they don't have to put it very far inside the vagina, but just enough to feel the eyelet at the end of the Trainer.

What Setting is right for me?

50Hz delivers the electrical stimulation to increase strength in women with stress incontinence while 12.5 delivers the electrical stimulation to reeducate the muscle in women with urge incontinence. A combination of 50Hz and 12.5HZ is appropriate for mixed incontinence.

Can I use a vaginal lubricant while using the Athena?

Yes, but only a water-based lubricant ("KY" type). The lubricant makes it easier to feel the contractions if you have a dry vagina. DO NOT use a petroleum-based jelly. You can also use a little water if you don't have lubricant.

Can I move about while using the Athena?

Some women may be able to do this; but, in most cases, probably not. You could try wearing your underwear after it is inserted in case you do have to get up and move about. This should help keep it in place. AthenaFem is not responsible for any damage that occurs to the trainer if it falls out.

How do I clean the Athena after use?

The Athena trainer that you insert into the vagina is sealed and can be cleaned with the Athena cleanser or warm soapy water, rinsed, dried and put back in the cradle/controller. You can also use antiseptic wiped on with tissue or cotton balls if desired. The Wireless Controller module should be kept dry at all times; if it requires cleaning, carefully wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Operating my Athena

I sometimes don’t feel the stimulation during a session, is that normal?

It is perfectly normal for ladies that have previously felt the stimulation to stop feeling it after using the Athena for a few weeks. This is due to the body’s perception of the stimulation. Other factors can cause changes in sensation; these include changes in medication, nerve damage, hormonal changes or internal moisture levels We would recommend you try using a water based lubricating gel as it can intensify the conductivity of the electronic pulse. Not feeling every/any muscle contraction does not alter the effectiveness of the programme.

How can I resume my usage if I am interrupted before the 15 minutes are up and have to turn it off and take it out?

Place the trainer back into the cradle on the controller to reset it. It will immediately be ready to remove and start again. Use it to make up the lost time. BE SURE TO TURN IT OFF AND WAIT A FEW SECONDS BEFORE REMOVING IT. Otherwise you may receive a small shock as the electrodes touch your sensitive vaginal entrance.

Should I physically do manual pelvic floor exercises ("Kegels") in addition to using the Athena?

You can if you like but there’s really no need because the Athena does 180 contractions in a 15 minute session which is far more than you could manage manually.

Do I have to move the dial every time to the setting I like?

No. At the beginning of every session, the Athena will gradually ramp up to the last used setting automatically. This process takes a few seconds.
CAUTION: NEVER turn the dial up all the way in a single twist. Always increase stimulation in small increments to a level that is most comfortable for you.

My Pelvic Muscle Exerciser doesn’t seem to work, what should I do?

• Ensure you have inserted the batteries into the wireless controller. (See How do I insert the batteries?)
• The Pelvic Muscle Exerciser increases in strength slowly. Be patient when starting to use it. There is a delay of about 30 seconds for the first pulse to be felt
• If you do not feel anything after several minutes remove the Pelvic Muscle Exerciser and check that it is working properly and then reinsert.
• If you still cannot feel the stimulation when you reinsert the Pelvic Floor Exerciser, try moving it slightly with your finger.
• The solid YELLOW LED tells you that the exerciser is listening to the cradle. It will turn GREEN when it has reached the desired strength. At the end of the session the light will turn out and blink every 30 to 60 seconds until it is placed completely back into the controller.

How do I insert the batteries?

• Before inserting the batteries make sure that the Exerciser is correctly inserted into the controller. The eyelet should be visible and the exerciser portion should be pressed completely into the controller.
• Loosen the screw on the back of the wireless controller using a suitable coin and remove the battery cover.
• Install the 3 AAA batteries supplied as indicated by the marking inside the battery compartment (Flat part of the battery against the spring).
• Replace the battery cover and screw.
To test the batteries
• Remove the Exerciser portion from the controller and the LED on the front of the controller will start flashing.
• Replace the Exerciser into the cradle and the LED will turn off.
• The Pelvic Floor Exerciser is now ready for use.

For Best Results

For best results, use the Athena consistently. If this is not possible, the stimulation can still be effective, but improvement may take longer.