1. Consultation
We begin by discussing your symptoms, relevant medical history, and what you hope to achieve.
We will also discuss whether electromagnetic pelvic-floor muscle stimulation may suit you.
If your symptoms require medical investigation or another form of care appears more appropriate, we may recommend speaking to your GP or another appropriate healthcare professional before proceeding.
2. Treatment
You remain fully clothed during the treatment.
The electromagnetic technology stimulates repeated involuntary contractions of the pelvic-floor muscles.
You may feel the muscles contracting during treatment, and the intensity can be changed according to your comfort and the treatment protocol.
3. After Treatment
Because treatment is non-invasive, there is no surgical incision or surgical recovery period. Your practitioner will discuss what you may experience after treatment and whether further sessions are appropriate.
Your practitioner will discuss any relevant aftercare and whether further sessions are appropriate. Individual responses to treatment can vary.
What does the treatment feel like?
You will normally feel repeated contractions of the pelvic floor muscles during treatment.
The sensation may feel unusual at first, but the practitioner can adjust intensity based on your comfort and the treatment protocol.
Do I need to remove my clothes?
No. The practitioner performs treatment while you remain fully clothed.
Your practitioner will explain how to position yourself correctly before treatment begins.
Is this the same as doing pelvic-floor exercises?
No.
Traditional pelvic-floor exercises involve voluntarily contracting and relaxing the pelvic-floor muscles.
Electromagnetic muscle stimulation generates involuntary contractions without requiring you to contract your pelvic floor during the treatment session consciously.
For women with stress or mixed urinary incontinence, supervised pelvic-floor muscle training is recommended by NICE as a first-line treatment. Electromagnetic muscle stimulation should not be presented as a replacement for an individually recommended pelvic-floor exercise, physiotherapy or medical management programme.
How many sessions will I need?
No single treatment programme suits everyone.
The number and frequency of sessions considered will depend on your circumstances, suitability and treatment protocol.
We will discuss this during your consultation.
When will I notice a difference?
Individual experiences vary.
Some people may notice changes during or after treatment, while others may experience little or no noticeable improvement.
We cannot guarantee when, or whether, you will experience an improvement in your symptoms.
Can it treat stress incontinence?
Pelvic-floor weakness can contribute to stress urinary incontinence in some people.
Electromagnetic muscle stimulation is intended to support pelvic-floor muscle conditioning, but urinary leakage can have different causes and treatment outcomes vary.
Suitability should therefore be assessed individually.
What about urge or mixed incontinence?
Urge and mixed urinary incontinence can involve several contributing factors.
Pelvic-floor muscle stimulation may not suit every cause of urinary urgency or leakage.
Discuss your symptoms during your consultation, and we may recommend a medical assessment where appropriate.
Can men have treatment?
Potentially, yes.
Pelvic-floor muscle stimulation may be considered for suitable adult men and women.
If your urinary symptoms developed following prostate surgery or another medical procedure, you should follow the advice of your healthcare team before considering treatment.
Can I have treatment after childbirth?
Following childbirth, some people may be able to consider treatment once they have recovered appropriately, subject to their individual circumstances and suitability assessment.
If you have recently given birth or are receiving postnatal medical or physiotherapy care, you should seek appropriate professional advice before starting treatment.
Treatment is not suitable during pregnancy.
Is treatment guaranteed to stop bladder leaks?
No.
Individual outcomes vary, and we can’t guarantee any reduction in urinary leakage or other symptoms.
The purpose of your consultation is to discuss your circumstances, suitability and realistic expectations before deciding whether you would like to proceed.