An award winning physiotherapist is urging women who laugh too hard with friends and family over the festive season then suffer an oops moment to make 2017 the year to sort it out.

Cambs Times: Squeezy app is encouraging people to do their pelvic floor exercisesSqueezy app is encouraging people to do their pelvic floor exercises (Image: Archant)

The advice has been welcomed by our newspaper’s Sling The Mesh campaigner, journalist Kath Sansom, who said women should ask their GP for a referral to their local pelvic physio team before rushing into surgery for a bladder mesh sling fix.

Myra Robson, women’s health physiotherapist and the face behind the NHS mobile phone app, Squeezy, said why not make it a new year resolution to stop feeling embarrassed and ask for help.

“Research shows women with symptoms like urinary leaks should exercise up to six times a day,” she said.

“Even with no symptoms they should exercise up to three times a day, to avoid problems later on.

Cambs Times: Squeezy app is encouraging people to do their pelvic floor exercisesSqueezy app is encouraging people to do their pelvic floor exercises (Image: Archant)

“A third of women will experience urinary leaks and one in ten will suffer bowel leaks at some point.

“Half of all women will have some degree of pelvic organ prolapse.

“Pelvic floor exercises are often completed incorrectly and it is recognised that sticking to them is a huge challenge.

“However, all women with symptoms should try pelvic floor exercises (and letting go after each squeeze!) as a first step.

“If it is not working then seek advice from a specialist physiotherapist,” she added.

Pelvic floor exercises benefit women and men with a variety of bladder, bowel and pelvic floor issues.

A number of gadgets can help including weighted cones, electrical stimulation, pessaries and special garments to give support to the perineum when exercising or running.

Kath said: “Women maimed by mesh slings want to urge others out there suffering to try natural solutions before opting for surgery.

“However, if it doesn’t work then there are other surgical options like a sling made out of your own body’s tissue or a procedure called a Burch colposuspension - like a hitch and stitch.

“Sadly mesh slings are like playing Russian roulette - you just don’t know if you will be one of the unlucky ones to suffer complications, so play it safe and choose natural solutions.”

Myra’s Squeezy app team recently won an award for the best use of technology to share information with patients and carers.

• Download the Squeezy app to remind you to exercise.

• Visit Sling the Mesh Natural Solutions Facebook page for lots of ideas on natural treatment options,

• To report problems with medication, surgical procedure or a medical device visit the MHRA Yellow Card