Emsella®
Emsella® is a unique product by BTL. Through the use of electromagnetic technology, they have developed a machine that helps both men and women with urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction.
Urinary incontinence means that urine leaks out when we don’t want or intend. There is stress incontinence, urge incontinence, and mixed incontinence. Stress incontinence means that urine leaks when there is an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, such as occurs with lifting, coughing, sneezing, and jumping. Urge incontinence means that you are unable to hold your urine for long after you first feel the urge to urinate. People with urge incontinence often use the washroom frequently, and will always know the location of all the public washrooms whenever they go out. People with stress incontinence will often avoid doing certain activities for fear that they may leak. Mixed incontinence means that you have features consistent with both urge and stress. People can spend over $1000 a year on incontinence supplies. Incontinence has a huge impact on quality of life.
Through repeated electromagnetic pulsations, the Emsella® machine will strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. This group of muscles form a “sling” that support the organs in our pelvis. They are vital in controlling the flow of urine. One session on Emsella® provides the equivalent of over 11 000 Kegel’s exercises (exercises that involve the purposeful and concentrated contraction of the pelvic floor muscles). With a full treatment course, there is a tightening and a lift to these muscles, as illustrated below.
While the use of Emsella® for erectile dysfunction is still being researched, there have been proven benefits for sexual function in women. If women don’t have any issues with urinary incontinence, but find that their sexual experience could be improved, there is a protocol designed with this in mind. The goal is to improve sexual desire, pleasure during intercourse, improve tone and lubrication, and improve orgasm.
If a woman suffers from both incontinence and sexual dysfunction, it is recommended that we treat the urinary incontinence first, then switch to the sexual function protocol.
What does Emsella® treatment involve?
The recommended protocol for treatment of urinary incontinence is 6-8 treatments, ideally done over a 3-4 week period. Our staff will sit down with you and do an intake questionnaire so we can have a sense of the severity of your symptoms. We will recommend either 6 or 8 treatments depending on your situation. Each session lasts 28 minutes. We recommend you wear loose or baggy clothing. You remain fully dressed during treatment. While you are on the machine, you may read, watch a video, or catch up on your email. When you have completed half your treatments, we will do a reassessment to gauge your progress. Most people will require a maintenance treatment every 6-12 months.
What does treatment feel like?
The treatment targets the muscles of the pelvic floor. It sends electromagnetic pulsations into these muscles. This feels prickly, and does take a little getting used to. It is not painful, however. We gradually increase the intensity of the pulsations with the goal to get you to 100%, ideally within the first or second session.
Can everybody use Emsella®?
No. There are a few contraindications to Emsella® use: the presence of a copper IUD, the presence of a pacemaker, and the presence of any metal in the lower back, pelvis, or hip region. A menstruating female should not have Emsella® treatment while she is actively bleeding, but is fine to have treatments between her periods. If there are any medical conditions or circumstances that our staff are uncertain about, they will have an immediate consultation directly with Dr. Carmichael to ensure that Emsella® is right for you.
To speak to someone about Emsella®, please call our dedicated Emsella® line at 506-230-5279.