Hey girl, let me ask you a question. Do you ever leak a little when you laugh, cough, sneeze, or work out? Don‘t be shy, you‘re SO not alone! As a woman who‘s given birth and just generally living life, I‘ve definitely struggled with my share of embarrassing bladder leaks.
That‘s why I was excited to try Innovo, a pair of innovative smart shorts that promise to eliminate leaks and strengthen your pelvic floor in just 12 weeks. I know, it sounds too good to be true. But after using Innovo consistently for 3 months, I can confidently say it WORKS.
In this super honest Innovo review, I‘m dishing all the deets on my experience. I‘ll cover what Innovo is, how it works, and most importantly – does it live up to the hype? I‘m also sharing some exclusive info straight from the experts, real customer reviews, and how Innovo stacks up to the competition. So if you‘re curious about this trending pelvic floor device, keep reading!
What is Innovo?
First things first, let‘s break down what Innovo actually is. Created by Atlantic Therapeutics, Innovo is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive pelvic floor exerciser that uses electrical muscle stimulation to deliver 180 perfect Kegels per 30-minute session.
Essentially, it‘s a pair of sleek, comfy bike shorts with built-in electrodes that stimulate your pelvic floor muscles while you chill on the couch. The shorts connect to a handheld controller that guides you through each session with voice prompts and allows you to adjust the intensity.
Innovo is specifically designed to treat stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women, which is bladder leakage caused by physical stress or pressure on the bladder, like coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising. But it can also help with urge incontinence and pelvic floor weakness.
The science behind Innovo is pretty legit. It uses neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), a proven clinical technology that‘s been used to rehabilitate muscles for decades. By delivering targeted stimulation to the pelvic floor muscles, Innovo helps strengthen and retrain them to better support the bladder and prevent leaks.
How Common is Urinary Incontinence in Women?
Before we dive into the nitty gritty of how Innovo works, let‘s talk about how prevalent bladder leakage really is. If you experience leaks, you might feel alone or ashamed, but trust me, you‘re part of a HUGE club.
According to the National Association for Continence, over 25 million adult women in the U.S. experience episodes of urinary incontinence. That‘s 1 in 3 women! And it‘s not just a problem for us older gals – the NAFC reports that 1 in 4 women over 18 struggle with leaks.
There are several different types of urinary incontinence, but the most common in women are:
- Stress incontinence: Leakage caused by physical stress on the bladder, like coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercise
- Urge incontinence: Sudden, intense urges to urinate followed by involuntary loss of urine
- Mixed incontinence: A combination of stress and urge incontinence symptoms
The bad news? Women are TWICE as likely as men to experience urinary incontinence due to factors like pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and our anatomy. The good news? There are now effective, non-invasive treatment options available, like Innovo!
Type of Incontinence | Prevalence in Women |
---|---|
Stress incontinence | 50% |
Urge incontinence | 14% |
Mixed incontinence | 32% |
Other | 4% |
Source: Urology Care Foundation
How Does Innovo Work?
Okay, so now that we know how common bladder leakage is, let‘s talk about how Innovo actually works to treat it. As I mentioned earlier, Innovo shorts use NMES technology to stimulate your pelvic floor muscles and deliver the equivalent of 180 Kegels per 30-minute session.
But unlike traditional Kegel exercises, which can be tricky to do correctly, Innovo does all the work for you. The shorts have 8 integrated electrodes that send targeted impulses to your pelvic floor muscles, causing them to contract and relax rapidly.
This process of repeated contraction and relaxation helps to strengthen and retrain your pelvic floor muscles over time, much like a bicep curl strengthens your arms. And because Innovo delivers 180 contractions per session, it‘s way more effective than you could achieve through manual Kegels alone.
In fact, one clinical study found that Innovo increased pelvic floor muscle strength by an average of 85% after 12 weeks of use. Another study published in the Journal of Women‘s Health reported that 86.3% of women found Innovo to be effective for reducing bladder leaks.
But how does it actually feel to use Innovo? I‘m not gonna lie, the sensation of the electrical impulses takes some getting used to. It kind of feels like a tingling, buzzing sensation that makes your pelvic floor muscles flutter.
It‘s not painful, but it is intense, especially at first. Luckily, the handheld controller allows you to easily adjust the intensity to your comfort level. I started on the lowest setting and gradually increased it each session as my muscles got stronger.
One thing I really appreciate about Innovo is how convenient and discreet it is. The shorts look just like normal bike shorts, so you can wear them around the house without anyone knowing your secret. And because the controller is small and portable, you can do your sessions pretty much anywhere – on the couch, at your desk, even in bed!
Innovo Clinical Studies & Results
Alright, let‘s talk numbers. Innovo isn‘t just a cute pair of shorts – it‘s a clinically proven medical device that‘s backed by some pretty impressive research.
One of the most compelling studies on Innovo was published in the Journal of Women‘s Health in 2019. The study followed 86 women with stress urinary incontinence who used Innovo for 12 weeks. Here are some of the key findings:
- 86.3% of participants found Innovo to be effective for reducing bladder leaks
- 82.5% reported significant improvements in their quality of life
- Participants experienced an average 85% increase in pelvic floor muscle strength
- The majority of women saw major improvements in just 6 weeks
Another study published in the journal Neurourology and Urodynamics in 2018 compared Innovo to a standard pelvic floor exercise program in 180 women with stress incontinence. The results? Innovo was found to be just as effective as supervised pelvic floor muscle training, with 80% of women reporting significant improvements in their symptoms.
And get this – Innovo has an average success rate of 93% when used consistently for 12 weeks, according to Atlantic Therapeutics. That‘s HUGE!
But don‘t just take my word for it. Here are some real Innovo reviews from women who have seen life-changing results:
"I‘ve been using Innovo for 6 weeks and the difference is amazing. I can sneeze and cough without crossing my legs! I used to wear pads every day, now I don‘t need them at all. It‘s given me my confidence back." – Sarah, 42
"After having 3 kids, my pelvic floor was a mess. I‘ve tried everything – Kegels, weights, even physical therapy. Nothing worked until I found Innovo. It‘s so easy to use and I saw results in just a few weeks. I wish I had known about it sooner!" – Lisa, 38
"I was skeptical at first, but Innovo has been a game changer for me. I can run and jump without leaking for the first time in years. It‘s not cheap, but it‘s worth every penny in my opinion." – Rachel, 51
Innovo vs. Other Pelvic Floor Exercisers
Of course, Innovo isn‘t the only pelvic floor exerciser on the market. So how does it stack up to the competition? Let‘s take a look at some of the key differences between Innovo and other popular devices.
Innovo vs. Kegel8
Kegel8 is another well-known brand that offers a range of pelvic floor exercisers, including the Kegel8 Ultra 20 and the Kegel8 Mother Nurture. Like Innovo, these devices use electrical stimulation to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
However, there are some key differences between Innovo and Kegel8:
- Kegel8 devices use a vaginal probe to deliver the stimulation, while Innovo uses external electrodes in the shorts. Some women may prefer the convenience of Innovo‘s shorts, while others may find the targeted stimulation of a vaginal probe more effective.
- Kegel8 devices are typically cheaper than Innovo, with prices ranging from $100-$200. However, they may not be as powerful or technologically advanced as Innovo.
- Kegel8 has a wider range of products for different needs, such as postpartum recovery and menopause. Innovo is specifically designed for stress incontinence.
Innovo vs. Elvie
Elvie is a popular Kegel trainer that uses biofeedback to help women do pelvic floor exercises correctly. It consists of a small, egg-shaped device that you insert into your vagina and connect to an app on your phone.
The main differences between Innovo and Elvie are:
- Elvie requires you to actively do Kegel exercises, while Innovo does the work for you with electrical stimulation.
- Elvie is much cheaper than Innovo, at around $200.
- Elvie is more discreet and portable than Innovo, since it‘s just a small device you can take anywhere.
Ultimately, the choice between Innovo and other pelvic floor exercisers comes down to your personal preferences and needs. If you want a convenient, no-fuss solution that does the work for you, Innovo is hard to beat. But if you‘re on a tighter budget or prefer a more targeted approach, something like Kegel8 or Elvie might be a better fit.
Innovo Pricing & Where to Buy
Okay, let‘s talk money. I‘m not gonna sugarcoat it – Innovo is definitely an investment. The Innovo Starter Kit, which includes the shorts, controller, and everything you need to get started, costs $449.
I know, it‘s not cheap. But when you consider how much money you might spend on incontinence pads, physical therapy, or even surgery over time, it starts to seem more reasonable. Plus, Innovo offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.
If you‘re not ready to commit to the full Starter Kit, Innovo also offers a payment plan through Affirm. With Affirm, you can spread the cost of Innovo over 3, 6, or 12 months with 0% APR financing. So instead of paying $449 upfront, you could pay as little as $37 per month.
Innovo also occasionally offers promotions and discounts, so it‘s worth checking their website or signing up for their email list to stay in the loop. For example, they sometimes offer a free extra pair of shorts with the purchase of a Starter Kit.
As for where to buy Innovo, your best bet is directly from their website at myinnovo.com. That way, you know you‘re getting the real deal and can take advantage of their money-back guarantee and financing options.
You can also find Innovo on Amazon, but be careful – there are a lot of knockoff products out there that may not be safe or effective. Always make sure you‘re buying from a reputable seller with good reviews.
Is Innovo Right for You?
So, after all this, you might be wondering – is Innovo right for me? Here are a few signs that Innovo could be a good fit:
- You experience bladder leaks when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or exercise
- You‘ve tried Kegels or other pelvic floor exercises without success
- You‘re looking for a convenient, at-home treatment option
- You‘re willing to commit to using Innovo consistently for 12 weeks
- You‘re okay with the upfront cost or financing options
On the other hand, Innovo may not be right for you if:
- You have a pacemaker or other implanted metallic device
- You‘re pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- You have a severe pelvic organ prolapse
- You have a neurological condition affecting your pelvic area
- You‘re not comfortable with the sensation of electrical stimulation
As with any medical device, it‘s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before starting Innovo, especially if you have any underlying health conditions. They can help you weigh the potential risks and benefits and determine if Innovo is a safe and appropriate option for you.
My Final Verdict on Innovo
Alright, moment of truth – is Innovo worth it? In my personal experience, absolutely. After using Innovo consistently for 12 weeks, I can honestly say it‘s changed my life.
I used to dread doing things like working out or going to comedy shows because I was so self-conscious about leaking. Now, I can do all those things without worry. I feel more confident, more in control, and just generally happier.
But don‘t just take my word for it. The clinical studies, customer reviews, and expert opinions all point to Innovo being a safe, effective solution for stress incontinence. And while it‘s not the cheapest option out there, I truly believe it‘s worth the investment in your health and quality of life.
Of course, Innovo may not work for everyone. And that‘s okay! There are other great options out there, like pelvic floor physical therapy or other devices. The important thing is to find what works for you and stick with it.
If you do decide to try Innovo, my biggest piece of advice is to be consistent. It‘s not a quick fix – it takes time and dedication to see results. But if you commit to using it for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, I think you‘ll be amazed at the difference it can make.
So if you‘re tired of letting bladder leaks control your life, give Innovo a try. You‘ve got nothing to lose (except maybe a few pee pads) and everything to gain. Trust me, your pelvic floor (and your panties) will thank you.