-by Jenna DeCapua, RN, BSN
Feeling anxious about sneezing and having leakage? Dreading going out in public and not making it to the bathroom in time? Incontinence is frustrating and embarrassing, but we have a non-invasive, office-based treatment called EMSELLA to treat it.
Common, But Often Not Talked About
Urinary incontinence is a difficult topic to talk about for most. It often affects self-confidence, daily routine, and even intimacy with a partner. Roughly 50% of women experience incontinence, with prevalence increasing to 75% for those who are over the age of 65 years old. According to Womenshealth.gov, “Urinary incontinence affects twice as many women as men. This is because reproductive health events unique to women, like pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause, affect the bladder, urethra, and other muscles that support these organs.”
Even though urinary incontinence is more prevalent in women, it does not discriminate gender. Mayoclinichealthsystem.org shared that, “about 3% to 10% of men will experience symptoms in their lifetimes and report a high level of associated stress due to the condition.” Most incontinence in men is related to the prostate gland.
Can Incontinence Be Treated?
At Longevità Medical, we have a device that can help those who are living with incontinence. This device is called EMSELLA, which uses HIFEM technology to create thousands of supramaximal pelvic floor muscle contractions, which are extremely important in muscle re-education of incontinent patients. Essentially, you are performing thousands of Kegels in the time of an average television show. There is a high success rate with EMSELLA treatments, in which 95% of treated patients reported significant improvement in their quality of life.
What is HIFEM and How is it Helping Me?
HIFEM is an abbreviation for High Intensity Focused Electromagnetic technology. This technology, which is cleared by the FDA, is aimed to provide a non-invasive electromagnetic stimulation of the pelvic floor to not only help strengthen these muscles, but also restore neuromuscular (relating to nerves and muscles) control for the treatment of urinary incontinence.
What Can I Expect During Treatments?
EMSELLA treatments are initially done in a series of 6 sessions spaced 2-3 days apart, meaning you can do a whole series in 3 weeks! Each treatment takes roughly 30 minutes to complete, which patients view as comfortable and tolerable. When the treatment starts, you will feel slight tingling and vibrations in your pelvic floor muscles that will then turn into full contractions. Many of our patients will often bring in a book or magazine to read during this time.
Am I a Candidate?
EMSELLA is a great treatment for any age or gender experiencing stress, urge, or mixed incontinence. It can even be used as a preventative treatment to help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. Fun fact: you could be a candidate if you are postpartum!
- Stress incontinence: when there is exerted pressure on the bladder causing leakage. This can be caused by coughing, laughing, sneezing, or exercising.
- Urge: the sudden, intense urge to urinate frequently.
- Mixed incontinence: a combination of both stress and urge incontinence.
You may unfortunately not be a candidate if you have any of the following contraindications:
- Currently menstruating (this can lead to increased bleeding and cramping)
- Pregnant or nursing
- Metal or Titanium on or in the body
- Copper IUD
- Cardiac pacemaker, implanted defibrillator, drug pumps
- Active tumors
- Heart disorders
Interested in a consultation to learn more about how EMSELLA may be able to help you? Please give us a call at 585.244.1506; we would love to speak with you!
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