Nothing Helped Her Bladder Leaks—Until She Invented This Life-Changing Silicone Device
The simple device worked when even pelvic floor therapy couldn't help her
After living with stress incontinence—a common type of urinary incontinence—for years, Allison Watkins, 44, was at her wit’s end. To help put a stop to the embarrassing urine leakage she’d dealt with since giving birth, she developed a simple solution that helps women prevent bladder leaks and restores their confidence. Keep reading to see her inspiring success story, plus get more science-backed tips to help curb bladder leaks naturally.
Pelvic floor therapy didn’t stop her bladder leaks
Gathering her belongings, Allison raced out of kickboxing class as fast as possible. Oh God, I hope no one noticed, she worried, having just slightly wet her pants. Equally shocked and horrified, the active mom had no warning it was about to happen.
Woman's World Answers
As soon as she arrived home, Allison searched online for reasons a healthy woman might experience urinary incontinence. She quickly discovered that stress urinary incontinence, or SUI, affects up to one-third of women who have had a vaginal delivery. That’s because childbirth can weaken pelvic muscles and ligaments, causing the bladder to leak urine when sneezing, exercising, laughing or doing other activities that increase abdominal pressure.
The next day, Allison saw her ob-gyn, who formally diagnosed her with SUI. For nearly two years, she tried pelvic floor muscle training with frequent exercises, but her bladder leaks persisted.
Creating her own cure for bladder leaks
After sharing her struggles with friends, Allison was stunned by how many women experienced bladder leaks themselves or knew someone who was battling it. And while kegel exercises or pelvic floor physical therapy to help strengthen the muscles in the bladder are a popular way to treat urinary incontinence, they don’t always work, as Allison came to learn.
Determined, Allison took her health into her own hands and spent months learning all she could about pelvic floor health. Then one day, she discovered that when she used tampons, her bladder leaks improved. The tampon put pressure on the urethra so urine didn’t dribble out, Allison realized. I can invent something to wear when I’m not on my period.
Hopeful, she consulted friends with SUI, as well as medical experts and engineers, to bring her idea to life. Allison soon created a prototype of a device she called Yōni.Fit, made from soft, flexible, 100 percent medical-grade silicone. When inserted similarly to a tampon, it applies gentle pressure to the urethra to prevent bladder leaks. The reusable device moves with the body and can be worn for up to 12 hours a day.
Finally finding relief
Uncertain what to expect, Allison received the first sample and immediately headed to kickboxing class. It works—it’s a miracle! she thought as she made it through the entire hour-long class without leaking even the smallest amount of urine.
In 2024, Allison received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, making Yōni.Fit available nationwide and eligible for coverage by most major insurance plans. (It sells for $100 for the fitting kit, which includes two devices, a cleaning brush, instructions and a container.)
“I thought I was doomed to sit on the sidelines worried about bladder leaks or having to stuff pads and extra underwear in my purse for the rest of my life,” says Allison. “Instead, I can enjoy belly laughing until I cry and no longer fear a surprise sneeze. Nothing stops me now!”
More natural ways to stop bladder leaks
While there are several different types of incontinence—from overactive bladder to overflow incontinence to SUI—these natural remedies can help reduce bladder leaks no matter the cause.
Stretch it out
Yoga strengthens your pelvic floor so it can better support your bladder muscles, say researchers at the University of California, San Francisco and Stanford Medicine. In their study, women who practiced yoga for 12 weeks reduced bladder leaks by 65 percent.
Add flaxseeds
Tossing flaxseed in yogurt or smoothies can help prevent bladder leaks, according to research in The Journal of Urology. Credit goes to the seeds’ lignan phytoestrogens, which lower the risk of developing incontinence.
Take a deep breath
Women who participated in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program for a year had 67 percent less bladder leaks, according to a University of Utah study. Check out the video below to try it for yourself.
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