Contrelle Activgard 30 Pack Size 3 contains 30 single-use Size 3 (large) bladder supports for women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), including mixed urinary incontinence where SUI is predominant. It is a Class IIa medical device made from soft foam, which you insert into the vagina with a reusable applicator. From there it supports and stabilises the bladder neck and urethra to help stop urine leakage, and you can empty your bladder as normal without removing it.

Key Features

• Size 3 (large) devices: All 30 devices in this pack are Size 3. The right size is not linked to your weight, height, how much you leak or how strong your pelvic floor is, so it is worth confirming your size before buying a large pack.
• Supports the bladder from inside: The foam device supports the bladder neck and urethra and gently improves the angle of the bladder neck, which helps stop urine leakage.
• Single-use devices with a reusable applicator: Each device is used once and then thrown away. The pack also includes a reusable applicator and instructions for use.
• Wear for up to 16 hours: One device can be worn for up to 16 hours a day, or just during activities such as running, swimming or other exercise.
• Soft foam, latex and silicone free: The device is made from a soft, body-compatible foam that contains no latex or silicone.

How do I know if Size 3 is the right size for me?

Contrelle recommends that new users start with Size 1, which is why the Sizing Kit contains all three sizes. If you still leak or the device moves, first check it is not positioned too high by gently pulling both strings to lower it slightly. If leakage continues, try Size 2, then Size 3. After inserting a device, walk for at least 30 minutes, cough, jump or run to check for leakage and movement. A larger size does not give better results, because one that is too large is harder to insert and remove.

What type of bladder leakage is Contrelle Activgard for?

It is for women over 18 years who leak when sneezing, laughing, coughing, lifting, exercising or exerting themselves (stress urinary incontinence), and for mixed urinary incontinence where stress leakage is the main problem. If the device does not reduce your leakage, you may have a different type of incontinence, so speak to a doctor or healthcare professional.

Can I wear Contrelle Activgard for swimming, exercise or during my period?

Yes to all three. You can wear it for exercise and swimming, and it is recommended to change it when convenient after swimming. During your period, change it every 4 to 6 hours and do not use it at the same time as, or instead of, a tampon.

Who should not use Contrelle Activgard?

It is not for anyone under 18, anyone who is pregnant or gave birth in the last 3 months, or anyone with moderate to severe vaginal prolapse, among other contraindications. Check the full list in Warnings before use, and speak to a healthcare professional if you are unsure.

Read the instructions for use before first use. Contrelle Activgard works only when it is correctly positioned in the vagina. If you are new to the product, start with the Sizing Kit.

Prepare the device

1. Wash your hands, then tear the pouch open at either end. Do not use scissors, as you could cut the string.
2. Hold the device in the palm of your hand under running cold water and slowly squeeze it 10 or more times until it is fully saturated. This takes at least 30 seconds. The foam expands by about a third in all dimensions and should look smooth and even. You cannot over-saturate it.
3. Squeeze out any excess water.
4. Place the string loop around the bottom of the applicator, close to the grooves, with the knot in the middle of the hollow. Always put the string on the applicator first.
5. Gently slide the foam device onto the top of the applicator so the central depression fits onto it. Do not force it. Check the device for damage or tears before insertion and do not use it if it is damaged.

Insert the device

1. Relax and find a comfortable position. Sitting on the toilet can help relax the pelvic floor muscles.
2. If you wish, apply a small amount of water-based lubricant gel at the vaginal opening. Use only water-based lubricants.
3. Hold the applicator on the grooves between your finger and thumb, placed over the string. Place the device at the vaginal opening with the foam wings front to back, not side to side.
4. Part the labia with one hand and slowly insert the device. New users should insert it to the first groove of the applicator. Do not push it as far as a tampon, and never insert it to the top of the vaginal canal where the cervix sits. You should feel no pain or resistance, so never force it.
5. Ease the string off the bottom of the applicator and withdraw the applicator, leaving the string outside your body.
6. Wash the applicator with soap and water, dry it and store it in its protective sleeve. Wash your hands.

While wearing the device

• One device can be worn for up to 16 hours in any 24-hour period, or just during activities such as running, swimming or exercise.
• You can empty your bladder as normal without removing the device.
• If using vaginal oestrogen cream, gel or suppository, wait a few hours before inserting the device.
• If the device slips or is not working, try a different insertion depth, or a larger or alternative size.
• Speak to a doctor or healthcare professional if you have difficulty inserting or removing the device, or if it does not reduce your leakage.

Remove the device

1. Always remove it after 16 hours, or when you have finished sporting activities, and always before going to bed.
2. Apply a water-based lubricant gel inside the vagina if you wish. Relax, hold both strings evenly together as close to the body as possible, and gently and slowly ease the device out. It may help to squat, lie down or sit on the toilet.
3. Wrap the used device in tissue and dispose of it in normal household waste. Do not flush it down the toilet. Never reuse it.
4. Wash your hands.

Read these warnings before using Contrelle Activgard:

• Do not reuse a device. Each one is for single use only, and reusing it risks infection or irritation.
• Do not use if you are under 18 years, or were born with male anatomy.
• Do not use if you are pregnant or have given birth in the last 3 months.
• Do not use if you have any infection or irritation in the vagina, a current urinary or vaginal infection, or have ever had Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).
• Do not use if you have had pelvic surgery in the last 6 months, are having therapy for pelvic malignancy, or have moderate to severe vaginal prolapse.
• Do not use if you have untreated vaginal dryness that causes irritation, unless you have spoken to a healthcare professional.
• Do not use if you have problems with manual dexterity that could make insertion or removal difficult.
• Do not use with any other vaginal device, including tampons, mooncups and vaginal pessaries for prolapse, and do not insert more than one device at a time.
• You can use the device with a coil (intrauterine device) fitted, but speak to your doctor or healthcare professional first to confirm it is suitable.
• Do not use during sexual intercourse.
• Do not use a single device for more than 16 hours in any 24-hour period, or for more than 6 hours during menstruation.
• Do not insert the device into the anus or the urethra, and do not use the device or applicator in any way other than described in the instructions.
• Use the device immediately once the pouch is opened and do not store it unwrapped. Do not use it if the package is open or damaged, and keep it out of direct sunlight.
• TSS is a very rare but serious condition. There have been no reported issues of TSS with Contrelle Activgard. If you have a high temperature (usually above 39 degrees C), a sunburn-like rash, diarrhoea, vomiting, or a sore throat and dizziness, remove the device and contact your doctor immediately, and tell them you have been using Contrelle Activgard.