Vix Williams, a healthcare professional from York, discusses her Bulkamid journey

Vix Williams, 47, is a ODP (Operating Department Practitioner) at Nuffield Hospital, York – and in her spare time, is British Masters Weightlifter.

Vix (who has a 17-year-old son) underwent “bladder bulking” treatment for SUI, in October 2017. She says;

“It’s incredible to think that it’s now nearly four years since I underwent a procedure to stop the symptoms and effectively ‘cure’ my stress urinary incontinence. And I’m delighted to say that I’m still completely dry, with no more leaks!

“When I look back, I’m just so glad that I took steps to research my condition and request a referral for treatment. At the time, I’d really started to increase the time I spent training and working out at the gym, particularly using weights. But increasingly my bladder issues - and those embarrassing leaks - were really starting to impact on what I could comfortably do.

“I remember that lifting heavier weights was becoming impossible - let alone more energetic forms of exercise such as jumping and skipping. So, I decided enough was enough and I wanted to do something about it. I wasn't prepared to give up my love of fitness and going to the gym regularly – nor did I want to be constantly worrying about wearing incontinence pads.

“In fact, it wasn't just the gym where the problem was having an impact on my life – I was also struggling through the hay fever season, when I would often experience leaks due to sneezing.

“My GP was sympathetic (even though she’d never heard of the bladder neck bulking procedure until I mentioned it!) and referred me to a local Consultant, who thankfully agreed that I was an eligible patient, and the procedure would be an effective alternative to the surgical approaches available. It seemed a ‘no-brainer’ to me!

“The procedure (which was carried out by the NHS at my local hospital in York) took around 15 minutes and although it was a little uncomfortable and stung a bit (when the local anaesthetic was applied) it was all over within minutes and I was able to go home shortly after. In fact, I was back at the gym the next day and achieved a ‘Personal Best’ in dead lifting (without any leakage!).

“As an ODP, I can’t see why anyone would choose to have an invasive procedure, under General Anaesthetic (GA) when a Local Anaesthetic was also an option (although women can opt for a GA or sedation for this type of treatment if they feel more comfortable with that).

“Whether it’s my career in healthcare (often working alongside gynaecologists) or just the way I am, I’ve always been very open and confident and therefore don’t feel embarrassed talking about issues such as incontinence.

“However, I know that many friends and other women I meet at the gym are still suffering from the same problem - and generally, they are suffering in silence.

“But since my treatment (and the fact I no longer need to use pads) lots of them have asked me to tell them more about “what I’ve had done”.

“To that point, it really does make me cross when I see endless ads and social media campaigns funded by the manufacturers of so-called incontinence pads. Whatever the slogans say, they’re not ‘discreet’ or comfortable – they can be uncomfortable, inconvenient, expensive (if you’re having to use them every day) and have such a bad impact on the environment and landfill.

“From my experience – which really did amount to a morning’s visit to my local Outpatients Department – it is fully possible to put a stop to a lifetime of leakage without having to resort to pads.

“And, believe me, I put my pelvic floor under a lot of stress and sudden exertions of pressure these days as a competitive weightlifter!

“So, I hope that by becoming such an advocate of this type of treatment and tackling some of those outdated taboos, more women like me will speak to their GP to discuss what options are open to them too.

“I’ve honestly never looked back!”