Skin Care Education

Emsella

A non-invasive treatment by BTL that uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy to stimulate thousands of pelvic floor muscle contractions per session, strengthening the pelvic floor and improving urinary incontinence and pelvic function.

What Is Emsella?

Emsella is a device made by BTL that uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy, the same HIFEM technology used in EmSculpt, to stimulate powerful contractions in the pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissue that forms the base of the pelvis and supports the bladder, bowel, and uterus. When these muscles weaken, common consequences include urinary incontinence, reduced bladder control, and a loss of sensation and tone in the pelvic region.

Emsella delivers thousands of supramaximal pelvic floor contractions in a single 28-minute session, the equivalent of performing thousands of Kegel exercises without any active effort from the person being treated. These intense contractions strengthen and re-educate the pelvic floor muscles, improving their ability to support the pelvic organs and maintain bladder control. The treatment is performed fully clothed, with the person seated on a chair-shaped device through which the electromagnetic energy is delivered.

Emsella is primarily positioned as a treatment for urinary stress incontinence, where leakage occurs during activities that increase abdominal pressure such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercise, and urge incontinence, where there is a sudden urgent need to urinate that is difficult to defer. It is also used for general pelvic floor strengthening after pregnancy and childbirth, for those experiencing pelvic floor weakness related to menopause, and for improving intimate wellness and sensation.

What to Expect

The treatment is performed fully clothed. The person sits on the Emsella chair and the device delivers electromagnetic energy through the seat, stimulating the pelvic floor muscles below. The sensation is a tingling and a series of rhythmic muscle contractions throughout the session. Most people describe the experience as unusual but comfortable and manageable. The contractions are involuntary and continuous throughout the 28-minute session.

There is no downtime. Most people return to their normal activities immediately after the session. Some temporary muscle soreness in the pelvic floor area is normal in the hours following treatment, similar to the sensation after intensive exercise of any muscle group.

A course of six sessions is the standard initial protocol, typically delivered twice a week over three weeks. Most people begin to notice improvement in bladder control and pelvic floor function from around the third or fourth session, with the full benefit of the course apparent at four to six weeks after the final session as the muscle remodelling continues. Maintenance sessions are recommended every three to six months to sustain the improvement.

Who It’s For and Results

Emsella is suited to those experiencing urinary stress or urge incontinence, those with general pelvic floor weakness following pregnancy or childbirth, those going through or past menopause experiencing pelvic floor changes, and those wanting to improve pelvic floor function and intimate wellness. It is suitable for both men and women, as pelvic floor weakness affects both, though it is more commonly sought by women in the post-partum or peri-menopausal context.

Clinical studies on Emsella report meaningful improvement in urinary incontinence in most treated individuals, with a significant proportion experiencing a substantial reduction in incontinence episodes. Results are not permanent and require maintenance to sustain, as the pelvic floor muscles will gradually return to their pre-treatment baseline without ongoing stimulation or active exercise.

Emsella is not a replacement for medical assessment of urinary incontinence, which can have multiple causes some of which require different management. Anyone with significant or new-onset incontinence should discuss their symptoms with a healthcare provider to rule out underlying causes before or alongside pursuing Emsella treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions: Emsella

Emsella produces pelvic floor contractions that are significantly more intense and more numerous than voluntary Kegel exercises can achieve. A single Emsella session delivers thousands of supramaximal contractions, stimulating muscle remodelling beyond what voluntary exercise typically produces. Kegel exercises are valuable and complementary but most people find it difficult to perform them consistently, correctly, or at sufficient intensity to produce meaningful strengthening. Emsella provides a reliable, consistent, and highly intensive stimulus that addresses the limitations of voluntary pelvic floor exercise for many people.

The standard initial course is six sessions delivered twice a week over three weeks. This produces the primary strengthening and remodelling response. After completing the course, maintenance sessions every three to six months are recommended to sustain the improvement. Some people find their results are well maintained with less frequent maintenance, while others benefit from more regular sessions. A provider will recommend the most appropriate maintenance schedule based on the individual response to the initial course.

Yes, and this is one of the most common applications. Pregnancy and vaginal delivery place significant strain on the pelvic floor muscles, often resulting in weakness, reduced tone, and urinary leakage that can persist well beyond the immediate post-partum period. Emsella is well suited to restoring pelvic floor strength and function after childbirth. Most providers recommend waiting until at least three months after delivery and until any post-partum healing is complete before beginning treatment. A consultation will confirm appropriate timing and suitability.

Yes. Pelvic floor weakness in men can cause urinary incontinence, particularly after prostate surgery, and can also affect sexual function and core stability. Emsella is suitable for men experiencing these concerns and uses the same technology and treatment approach as for women. The device and protocol are the same regardless of gender. Men seeking Emsella for post-prostatectomy incontinence should discuss the treatment with their urologist alongside their existing rehabilitation programme.