EMSELLA® in St. Louis

A good candidate for EMSELLA treatment is someone who experiences urinary incontinence or desires to improve their pelvic floor strength. EMSELLA is suitable for both men and women of all ages, and the treatment can address various types of incontinence.

More specifically, ideal candidates for EMSELLA may include:

• Women who have experienced childbirth: Pregnancy and childbirth can weaken pelvic floor muscles and damage the nerves controlling bladder function, leading to urinary incontinence. EMSELLA can help strengthen and rehabilitate the pelvic floor muscles in these cases.
• Postmenopausal women: Hormonal changes during menopause can contribute to the weakening of pelvic floor muscles, making EMSELLA a suitable treatment option to address incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction in postmenopausal women.
• Individuals with weakened pelvic floor muscles due to aging, obesity or chronic conditions: EMSELLA can help improve pelvic floor muscle strength and control in individuals who have experienced muscle weakening as a result of conditions like obesity and diabetes or the natural aging process.
• Patients who have undergone prostate surgery: Men who have had prostate surgery may experience urinary incontinence as a side effect. EMSELLA can help improve bladder control by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles.
• Individuals seeking a non-invasive and low-risk treatment option: EMSELLA is an excellent choice for those interested in a non-surgical, non-invasive treatment with minimal side effects and downtime.

During your consultation at The Lifestyle Center, Dr. Moore can determine if EMSELLA is the right treatment for your unique needs.

Individuals who are not ideal candidates for EMSELLA include:

• Pregnant women: EMSELLA is not recommended for pregnant women due to the strong contractions it induces in the pelvic floor muscles, which may not be safe during pregnancy.
• Individuals with metal implants: Those with metal implants, such as hip replacements, pacemakers or defibrillators, in the treatment area should avoid EMSELLA, as the electromagnetic energy may interfere with the function of these devices.
• People with severe heart conditions: Patients with severe heart conditions should consult their healthcare provider before considering EMSELLA, as the treatment may not be suitable for them.
• Individuals with certain neurological conditions: Those with certain neurological disorders affecting the pelvic region should discuss their condition with their healthcare specialist before considering EMSELLA treatment.
• Patients with active infections or open wounds: EMSELLA treatment should not be administered to individuals with active infections or open injuries in the treatment area.

Nursing women should reach out to their healthcare provider before considering EMSELLA to determine if it is a safe and suitable treatment option for their unique situation.

Stress incontinence and urge incontinence are two distinct types of urinary incontinence that involve involuntary leakage of urine. They differ in their causes and triggers:

Stress Incontinence

Stress incontinence occurs when physical pressure or stress is exerted on the bladder, leading to unintentional urine leakage. This kind of incontinence is more common in women than men, and it is often caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles or a weakened urethral sphincter.

Common triggers for stress incontinence include:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Laughing
• Lifting heavy objects
• Exercising

Urge Incontinence

Urge incontinence, also known as overactive bladder, involves a sudden and intense urge to urinate, followed by involuntary leakage of urine. This type of incontinence is caused by involuntary contractions of the bladder muscles, making it difficult to hold urine until reaching a toilet.

Common factors contributing to urge incontinence include:

• Bladder irritation
• Infections
• Neurological conditions
• Bladder abnormalities
• Certain medications

Fortunately, EMSELLA can treat stress incontinence, urge incontinence and mixed incontinence (a combination of both types of incontinence).

The unique EMSELLA technology is designed to maximize comfort, making the treatment virtually painless. Most patients describe the treatment as similar to the sensation of performing Kegels (pelvic floor exercises) and say it is very comfortable.

You may notice some improvements in your symptoms after your first treatment session, but more significant results aren’t typically experienced until after a few sessions. The full benefits will be noticeable approximately two to four weeks after completing the full series of six sessions.

It’s essential to remember that each individual’s response to EMSELLA treatment may be different, and the timeline for experiencing noticeable results can vary accordingly. Factors that can affect how soon you feel the results include the severity of your pelvic floor weakness, your body’s response to the treatment and your adherence to the recommended treatment plan.

While EMSELLA is primarily designed to treat urinary incontinence and strengthen pelvic floor muscles, it may have secondary benefits, including a slight tightening of the vaginal canal. The High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology used in EMSELLA treatments induces powerful contractions in the pelvic floor muscles, leading to increased strength and tone in these muscles. As a result, some patients may experience a modest improvement in vaginal tightness.

It’s important to note that EMSELLA is not specifically designed as a vaginal tightening treatment. If vaginal laxity is a primary concern, it’s best to discuss this with Dr. Moore. He can recommend alternative treatments, such as radiofrequency-based therapies, specifically designed to address vaginal tightening.

Generally, the positive effects of EMSELLA treatments can last anywhere from six months to two years. However, some patients may experience a gradual decline in the improvement of their urinary incontinence symptoms or pelvic floor strength over time.

To maintain your results and continue benefiting from EMSELLA, we recommend undergoing maintenance sessions. The frequency of these maintenance sessions will depend on your individual needs and may be recommended every few months or annually, as determined by your provider.

Lifestyle modifications can also help prolong the benefits of EMSELLA, such as practicing pelvic floor exercises, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding activities that can strain the pelvic floor.

EMSELLA is a non-invasive and safe treatment option. Most patients experience no side effects or downtime. However, some individuals may experience mild discomfort or muscle fatigue during or after the treatment session.