"Belly dancing gave me back my life!" Bladder leaks left Danielle Matthews mortified-and afraid to laugh in public. Then she discovered a freeing, strengthening solution

This must be what happens to women as we age, thought Danielle Matthews, 45, as she coughed and felt a few drops of urine trickle out. The bladder leakage that began around her 40th birthday was forcing Danielle to be cautious about coughing or laughing in public, which made the vivacious mom embarrassed and uncomfortable.

- Gina Roberts-Grey

"The first time I leaked while belly laughing, I was flabbergasted. I thought it was a weird onetime moment-until it happened a few weeks later when I coughed. I was embarrassed that this was happening, and also sad to be experiencing what I assumed was a normal part of aging, so I didn't dare mention a word to anyone, even my doctor.

"Living with little leaks meant I had to be careful if I laughed too hard, coughed or sneezed, so whenever I found myself in those instances, I squeezed my legs together while trying to also clench my abdominal muscles-almost like doing a Kegel exercise-hoping to prevent a bigger leak. Sometimes that worked, and other times it wouldn't.

Suffering in silence

"I became so self-conscious about my bladder leakage that I secretly bought adult undergarments. Ashamed, I tried to hide what felt like diapers from my family. I found myself trying hard to never laugh out loud-especially when I was in public.

"This all left me feeling alone and isolated. I was too embarrassed to ask family or friends if they ever experienced little leaks. I didn't talk to my physician because I assumed she was going to tell me what I already knew: to wear adult underwear or try medications, which I wasn't interested in pursuing.

"As a mom of three boys, I worried about having an accident and having to explain. I didn't want my kids to worry that their mother was falling apart or ill.