Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a condition that affects millions of people, yet the way it’s approached by the healthcare system leaves much to be desired. As someone deeply committed to addressing the root causes of health issues, I’ve uncovered some startling truths about the SUI industry—truths that everyone deserves to know.

The Problem With Current Guidelines

One of the most troubling aspects of the SUI industry is how treatment guidelines are created—and who creates them. In the UK, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is responsible for setting the standards that medical professionals follow. These guidelines are supposed to ensure the best care for patients, but the process is far from perfect.

Shockingly, the committees responsible for developing these guidelines are often composed of specialists who lack the expertise needed to address the complexities of SUI. For example, the NICE guidelines for stress urinary incontinence are predominantly shaped by gynecologists. While gynecologists are highly skilled in their field, they are not trained to assess, diagnose, or treat human movement dysfunctions—issues that are central to the pelvic floor muscles and the management of SUI.

This raises an important question: why are medical professionals treating SUI based on guidelines created by individuals with no expertise in human movement or muscle control? Could this be part of the reason why SUI remains such a widespread and distressing issue?

The Consequences of Current Treatments

The current medical approach to SUI often involves invasive procedures and interventions that may offer short-term relief but come with significant risks. These include:

• Mesh implants: These have been linked to chronic pain, infections, and complications, with many patients requiring additional surgeries to remove the mesh. Studies have shown that complications such as erosion, pain, and infection are common, often requiring surgical intervention [1][2][3][4].

• Life-long medications: Drugs like anticholinergics are often prescribed to manage symptoms but can cause side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, and even cognitive decline in older adults. These medications do not address the root cause of SUI [5][6].

• Botox injections: While these can temporarily paralyze overactive bladder muscles, they require repeated treatments and carry risks of urinary retention, which can lead to further complications [5].

• Nerve stimulation therapies: These may help some patients but are not universally effective, and the long-term outcomes remain uncertain.

• Surgeries: Procedures like colposuspension or sling surgeries alter the anatomy of the pelvic floor, often leading to complications such as infection, scarring, and even psychological trauma [4].

While these interventions may benefit certain individuals, they are often prescribed as one-size-fits-all solutions without addressing the underlying dysfunctions. The focus seems to be on managing symptoms rather than curing the condition—and the consequences can be devastating.

The £9 Billion Industry

What’s even more concerning is the financial motivation behind the current system. The SUI industry is now worth an estimated £9 billion globally and continues to grow [7]. This begs the question: is the focus truly on helping people, or is it on maintaining a highly profitable business model?

When you dig deeper, it’s hard not to question the motivations of an industry that profits from invasive treatments and life-long symptom management. Are patients being given the best possible care, or are they being led down a path that prioritises profits over their well-being?

Kegels: The "Gold Standard" That Hasn’t Evolved

When it comes to pelvic floor rehabilitation, Kegel exercises are widely considered the gold standard. These exercises, which involve isolated contractions of the pelvic floor muscles, were first popularised in 1948 by Dr. Arnold Kegel, an American gynecologist. Dr. Kegel’s discovery was groundbreaking at the time—he found that these isolated contractions could help rehabilitate the pelvic floor to a certain degree.

But let’s put this into perspective. In 1948, the telephone was a bulky, wired device that barely scratched the surface of the communication technology we have today. Over the decades, the telephone has evolved into sleek smartphones capable of global connectivity, advanced computing, and even artificial intelligence.

Now consider Kegel exercises. Despite being introduced over 75 years ago, they have not advanced one bit. Kegels are still the gold standard as recommended by NICE guidelines, despite the fact that they are woefully outdated. How can this be?

While Kegels can provide a useful foundation for pelvic floor strengthening, they fail to address the full complexity of how the pelvic floor integrates with the rest of the body. They are an isolated approach in a world where we now understand the interconnectedness of the body’s systems [8].

The Solution: True Core™

At True Core™, we believe there’s a better way. A way that prioritises transparency, honesty, and empowerment over profit-driven motives.

True Core™ is built on the foundation of caring advice, evidence-based practices, and a commitment to addressing the root causes of SUI. We don’t believe in masking symptoms or blindly following industry trends. Instead, we give people the awareness and tools they need to make informed decisions about their health.

Moving Beyond Kegels

What sets True Core™ apart is its revolutionary approach to pelvic floor rehabilitation. While Kegels may provide a starting point, they are far from enough. True Core™ integrates the pelvic floor into what we call the real core—a system that includes the diaphragm, deep abdominal muscles, and spinal stabilisers. By addressing how these systems work together, True Core™ offers a modern, holistic solution that goes far beyond the outdated, isolated approach of Kegels.

The Master Your Pelvic Floor Programme

One of the most groundbreaking resources we’ve developed is the Master Your Pelvic Floor programme. This proven system has already cured stress urinary incontinence for countless individuals who have followed it in my 1:1 clinics. For the first time ever, this life-changing programme is now available online, making it accessible to anyone, anywhere.

What makes the Master Your Pelvic Floor programme so unique is its focus on the core, an area that no one else in the industry is talking about like we are at True Core™. By taking control of your pelvic floor and addressing the symptoms of stress incontinence, you’re not just solving a single issue—you’re unlocking the potential for a healthier, stronger, and more empowered life.

Take the First Step

If you’re ready to break free from the cycle of invasive treatments and outdated methods then True Core™ is here to help. The Master Your Pelvic Floor programme is your first step toward a life free from stress incontinence and full of opportunity.

CLICK THIS LINK TO DISCOVER MORE

References

1. Barski, D., Deng, D.Y. Management of Mesh Complications After SUI and POP Repair. BioMed Research International, 2015.

2. Mangir, N., Roman, S., Chapple, C.R. Complications Related to Use of Mesh Implants in Surgical Treatment of SUI and POP. World Journal of Urology, 2020.

3. Geller, E.J., Babb, E., Nackley, A.G., Zolnoun, D. Incidence and Risk Factors for Pelvic Pain After Mesh Implant Surgery. Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, 2017.

4. Welk, B., Winick-Ng, J. Removal or Revision of Vaginal Mesh Used for SUI Treatment. JAMA Surgery, 2015.

5. Urology Care Foundation. Botulinum Toxin for Overactive Bladder and SUI, 2020.

6. Mayo Clinic. Medications for SUI: Anticholinergics and Their Side Effects, 2022.

7. Grand View Research. The Global Stress Urinary Incontinence Market, 2023.

8. NICE Guidelines (2019) LINK