LadySystem®: A non surgical therapy for women who want to free themselves from accidental urine leakage which affects their health and quality of life

Blainville, May 6th, 2010 – Duchesnay Inc, a privately-owned pharmaceutical company based in the Montreal area, has recently widened its women's health product range by acquiring LadySystem®, a non surgical therapy to treat accidental urine loss caused by a weakened pelvic floor.

The LadySystem® therapy is aimed at helping women to treat or prevent urinary stress incontinence. It consists of a pelvic floor muscle restrengthening program using 5 small vaginal cones of identical shape and volume, but of different weight ranging from approximately 5 to 55 grams.

According to Dr. Martine Bernard, urogynecologist, "Urinary stress incontinence (accidental urine leakage triggered by a sudden pressure on the bladder, for example when coughing, laughing, or exercising), is generally caused by a weakening of the pelvic floor muscles, which support the organs of the lower body and control the bladder. Therefore, most cases of urinary stress incontinence can be cured or much improved through proper training of the pelvic floor muscles, sometimes accompanied by some general lifestyle measures. The medical literature has shown that women can learn to contract their pelvic floor muscles by retaining a progressively heavier cone in the vagina during short exercise sessions. The concept is very simple: the cone is held in place in the vagina by a passive contraction, commonly known as the biofeedback mechanism, and by a slight active contraction. By repeating the exercise during several weeks with a progressively heavier cone, the pelvic floor muscles regain their tone gradually and ensures a better control of the bladder."

Stress incontinence is the most common form of urinary incontinence. It develops mostly because the pelvic floor muscles controlling the opening and closing of the bladder are weakened. Consequently, when there is a sudden pressure on the bladder (for example when coughing, laughing, or exercising), small amounts - sometimes quite a lot - of urine may leak due to the fact that the weakened pelvic floor muscles are unable to withstand this extra pressure. Most cases of urinary stress incontinence can be cured or much improved through proper strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles, sometimes accompanied by some general lifestyle measures. Exercising with devices such as vaginal cones of different weight to strengthen the pelvic floor will help women to contract the right muscles and perform their exercise correctly.

Éric Gervais, Executive Vice-President of Duchesnay stated that, "Although urinary stress incontinence (USI) represents half of all forms of incontinence, it is still a 'taboo' issue. As many as 40% of women may be affected by some degree of USI following one or several pregnancies, and the prevalence of women who may experience these symptoms during the premenopause and menopause periods is over 40%. With LadySystem®, we are providing a simple and personal solution to women who, for fear that surgical treatment would be the only alternative, had resigned themselves to silently cope with their symptoms, for example by wearing absorbing pads at all times, by avoiding certain sporting or social activities, and even certain types of clothing. Figures shown in studies speak for themselves: over two third of women with USI symptoms avoid discussing their problem with their healthcare professional. LadySystem® vaginal cones are presented in an elegant and discreet case and are very simple to use without medical supervision. Women can perform their exercise privately in the comfort of their home, without disrupting their usual activities. As they are progressing with their LadySystem® vaginal cone exercise program, they can observe improvement in their pelvic floor muscular tone; their USI symptoms taper down until they resolve or improve significantly. LadySystem® gives women access to a cost-effective solution, which could obviate the need for surgical or medical treatment and improve their quality of life."

To contact Dr. Bernard: 514 252-3822 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Media Relations: 1 888-666-0611 Christine Walter This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it