Incontinence problems leave me ‘leaking while competing’

Fitness 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.