Incontinence problems leave me 'leaking while competing'

Incontinence problems leave me 'leaking while competing'2 days agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleMarie-Louise ConnollyHealth correspondent, BBC News NIBBCAimee Oliver is due to undergo pelvic floor surgeryFitness fanatic Aimee Oliver never imagined that giving birth would ultimately cause her to need surgery for incontinence.Now aged 37, Aimee's problems began in her 20s, when she began to leak urine after coughing or sneezing following the birth of her first child."When my body stopped working as it should I actually began to mourn my old self," she said.Northern Ireland's five regional health trusts said more people were seeking help for incontinence, and a specialist nurse said there had been a "massive increase" in self-referrals from both men and women.Aimee - a personal trainer, fitness fanatic and volleyball champion - has qualified for the women's Pro Hyrox World championships for the second year.She said the condition was mentally and physically debilitating - an irony as she runs a group that helps women build strength and fitness, especially after birth.'Don't suffer incontinence in silence' - nurse'I hid my symptoms out of embarrassment - then needed life-saving surgery'Women 'scared to laugh or sneeze' due to incontinenceIncontinence is the involuntary or accidental loss of bladder (urinary) or bowel (fecal) control, ranging from minor, occasional leaks to complete loss of control.It is a common symptom of underlying issues, including weak pelvic muscles, neurological disorders, and infections.Aimee said leaking was "extremely embarrassing" and it was a reason why many women give up exercising or stop going out socially.She described some of the measures she had to take to stay active."In a recent competition in Belfast, I won overall female, but I was leaking while competing and wondering, 'can people see my shorts are wet?'"That when I am...