The new high tech chair that gives you the equivalent of 11,200 Kegels in just 28 minutes
HOW EMSELLA TARGETS URINARY INCONTINENCE
Hot flushes, mood swings, sleep disturbances and weight gain — all are some of the more commonly known symptoms of menopause. But one symptom that isn’t talked about as much is urinary incontinence. The decline in oestrogen at menopause can lead to a weakening of the pelvic floor muscles, which support the bladder and urethra. Weak pelvic floor muscles can result in stress urinary incontinence, where urine leaks during activities such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising. Most women will be aware of the advice to perform Kegel exercises to prevent or control urinary incontinence and strengthen their pelvic floor, particularly after they’ve given birth, but how many actually commit to daily Kegels?
Nurse Louise Mahoney encounters many older women in her role as an aesthetic nurse in Skin Lab in Killarney.
‘The decrease in oestrogen levels that affect women as they age can lead to various changes in a woman’s body,’ she says. ‘But perhaps the least talked about is urinary incontinence,’ says Louise. ‘This is where the involuntary leakage of urine, can occur in menopausal women, or simply women who have given birth.
‘Decreased oestrogen levels can also cause thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal tissues, a condition known as vaginal atrophy. Vaginal atrophy can also affect the urethra, leading to urinary symptoms such as urgency, frequency, and urge incontinence (a sudden and strong urge to urinate).
‘Menopausal women may be more prone to UTIs due to changes in the urinary tract, such as reduced bladder elasticity and decreased natural defences against bacteria. UTIs can cause symptoms of urinary urgency, frequency, and in some cases, urge incontinence.
‘Weight gain, which can occur during menopause, this can put additional pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor muscles, leading to stress urinary incontinence.
‘Conditions such as chronic bronchitis or asthma, which can cause persistent coughing, can contribute to stress urinary incontinence.’
Louise insists that it is important for menopausal women experiencing urinary incontinence to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment options.
She says she meets women whose pelvic floors have weakened as a result of pregnancy, menopause or a history of weak pelvic floors within the family. ‘The common thread through all these experiences is a strong feeling that it is certainly not something they want to simply accept,’ she says.
‘Hearing their stories where a simple night out is carefully planned — what colour clothes they wear, how far away the venue is, to where they sit in a bar or restaurant to be close to the bathroom, having a supply of spare sanitary supplies. Then the sadness in the ladies who loved to dance and now feel that is no longer viable for them, to the ladies who want to get out and join walking or exercise classes, but the lack of control within the pelvic floors just makes it too difficult for them to enjoy the activity without panicking about what leakage may occur.
Technology is available to help — and one piece of equipment that stimulates the pelvic floor muscles to tighten them is now used in physiotherapy, menopause clinics, and some Pilates studios.
The Emsella Chair is a breakthrough in medical science that has seen sweeping advances in the world of pelvic health .
Pelvic floor health is having its moment thanks to the likes of Vogue Williams, espousing the benefits of the ‘wonder chair’.
Childbirth can weaken pelvic floor muscles and podcaster Vogue, 37, revealed she used ‘this special buzzing chair’’ and said ‘It’s amazing.’ But it’s also great for menopausal women with pelvic floor issues. The chair utilises electromagnetic technology to stimulate and contract the pelvic floor muscles, which can help improve muscle tone and control. In one 28 minute session, the patient does the equivalent of 11,200 Kegel exercises through the electromagnetic force of the chair.
‘During a session the patient sits fully clothed on the chair, which emits high-intensity electromagnetic waves,’ says Louise. ‘These waves stimulate the pelvic floor muscles, causing them to contract and relax repeatedly.
‘It’s a non-invasive non-surgical procedure, which is quite comfortable and it feels like a tickling type sensation. We have had amazing feedback, and our ladies come back once a quarter for their top-ups. It can in some caes be life changing.’ A course of Emsella Chair costs €780 for six and €1,200 for 10 at the Skin Lab.