Share Satisfaction, a New Zealand-owned and operated sexual wellness brand, has launched a new product line called Eyden. The Eyden collection is designed to address pelvic floor issues in individuals with uteruses.

Eyden Collection Targets Pelvic Floor Health

The Eyden product range was developed in consultation with pelvic health physiotherapists. The collection includes Kegel and dilator sets. According to a representative, the products are designed to help improve bladder and bowel control, reduce the risk of prolapse, assist with recovery post-cancer therapy, increase sexual sensation, and improve sexual and physical health.

Taslim Parsons, founder of Share Satisfaction, stated that the company is the first New Zealand company to launch a bespoke range of products aimed at assisting individuals with a variety of pelvic floor complaints. These complaints range from issues experienced by postpartum women to painful conditions such as vaginismus.

Parsons emphasized the connection between sexual health, which includes pelvic floor health, and overall wellbeing. Parsons noted that in 2023, sexual wellness and pelvic health are not discussed enough, and Share Satisfaction aims to change this.

The company reports that 46% of New Zealand women will experience a pelvic health issue in their lifetime. Additionally, one in three women will experience urinary incontinence, and one in five will experience pain during sex. Parsons mentioned hearing stories from friends and customers in the sexual wellness industry about their experiences with pelvic floor issues, highlighting the lack of discussion about pelvic floor strengthening until after pregnancy.

Understanding Pelvic Floor Issues

Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) occur when the muscles or connective tissues of the pelvic area weaken or are injured. The most common PFDs include urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse. PFDs are more common among older women.

The pelvic floor is described as a hammock-like band of muscles that supports the bladder, bowels, reproductive organs, and core. These muscles can become weak or overly tight due to factors such as aging, childbirth, or stress. Medical conditions can also contribute to pelvic floor concerns, including recovery from prostate cancer or gender-affirming surgery.

Pelvic floor therapy is a specialized type of physical therapy that focuses on these issues. It can strengthen weak pelvic floor muscles or relax muscles that have become too tight. This therapy can lead to improved bladder and bowel control, reduced pelvic pain, and enhanced sexual function. It is applicable to all individuals.

Benefits of pelvic floor therapy, often seen over 6 to 12 sessions, include improvement in symptoms such as bladder problems like urgency or incontinence, bowel problems like constipation or painful bowel movements, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain or heaviness, pain during sex, lower back pain, penile pain, and erectile dysfunction. These problems can cause anxiety and embarrassment, and pelvic floor therapy can relieve this stress and restore self-confidence and wellbeing.

Expert Perspectives on Pelvic Floor Health

Liz Childs, a Wellington-based pelvic floor physiotherapist, noted that pelvic floor conditions are common and frequently treatable. However, Childs observed that many individuals accept the pain and symptoms they experience as normal because they have not been informed otherwise.

Childs' Pelvic Health Physiotherapy clinic conducts approximately 100 appointments per week. Over half of these appointments involve patients with overactive pelvic floor muscles, which often results in painful sex.

Casey Bailey, a pelvic floor physical therapist, helps patients of all ages and genders find relief from symptoms such as pain, bowel and bladder problems, and issues affecting sexual intercourse. Bailey explains to patients what the pelvic floor is, how problems can develop, and how pelvic floor physical therapy can improve their quality of life.

For more information, individuals can visit ShareSatisfaction.com.

Key Facts

  • Share Satisfaction, a New Zealand sexual wellness brand, launched the Eyden collection.
  • The Eyden line includes Kegel and dilator sets, developed with pelvic health physiotherapists.
  • Products aim to improve bladder/bowel control, reduce prolapse risk, aid post-cancer recovery, and enhance sexual health.
  • Taslim Parsons, Share Satisfaction founder, stated the company is the first in New Zealand to offer such a bespoke range.
  • In New Zealand, 46% of women will experience a pelvic health issue, one in three will have urinary incontinence, and one in five will experience pain during sex.
  • Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) involve weakened or injured pelvic muscles and connective tissues, with common PFDs including urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse.