Most of us have heard of Kegel exercises. They're often recommended after childbirth, during menopause or when changes in bladder control begin to appear. But how much do we really understand about the muscles we're trying to strengthen?
Pelvic floor health is an important part of our overall wellbeing, yet it's something many people don't think about until they start noticing changes.
Perhaps it's a little bladder leakage when laughing, coughing or exercising. Maybe it's a feeling of reduced pelvic floor strength after having children, or changes in bladder control during perimenopause and menopause.
These concerns are common, but that doesn't mean they should simply be accepted as an inevitable part of ageing.
At Ocean Cosmetics, we believe that looking after your body goes beyond what you can see. Just as we focus on maintaining skin quality, collagen and muscle tone over time, pelvic floor health is another important part of long-term wellbeing.
And while traditional Kegel exercises remain an important approach to pelvic floor strengthening, newer technologies such as EMSELLA® offer another way to stimulate these muscles.
So, what's actually happening to your pelvic floor, how do Kegel exercises work, and where does EMSELLA® fit in?
Why Your Pelvic Floor Changes Over Time
Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissues that form a supportive structure at the base of your pelvis.
These muscles help support your bladder, bowel and pelvic organs. They also play an important role in bladder control, core stability and sexual function.
Like other muscles in the body, the pelvic floor relies on strength, endurance and coordination to function properly.
However, several factors can influence pelvic floor function over time, including:
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause
- Age-related changes in muscle function
- Chronic constipation or coughing
- Repeated heavy lifting or high-impact exercise
- Certain pelvic or prostate surgeries
- Changes in muscle strength and coordination
For some people, these changes can contribute to urinary leakage, difficulty controlling urgency or a feeling of reduced pelvic support.
However, pelvic floor symptoms aren't always caused by weak muscles. Sometimes the muscles are overly tense, have difficulty relaxing or aren't coordinating correctly.
This is why understanding the cause of your symptoms matters just as much as choosing a treatment.
What Are Kegel Exercises, and Do They Actually Work?
Kegel exercises have been recommended for decades as a way to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
They involve consciously contracting, lifting and relaxing the muscles responsible for pelvic support and bladder control.
When performed correctly and consistently, pelvic floor muscle training can help improve strength, endurance and coordination. It is also an established first-line treatment for certain types of urinary incontinence.
But there's one important detail that often gets overlooked.
Doing Kegels and doing Kegels correctly are not always the same thing.
Some people find it difficult to identify the right muscles. Others may unintentionally tighten their abdominal muscles, glutes or thighs instead.
And because pelvic floor muscles aren't visible, it can be difficult to know whether the exercises are being performed effectively.
A personalised pelvic floor exercise program, particularly one guided by a pelvic health physiotherapist, can help address these challenges.
It's also important to understand that strengthening isn't always the answer. If your pelvic floor muscles are already overactive or unable to relax properly, additional contractions may not be appropriate.
Can You Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor Without Doing Kegels?
This is where advances in medical technology have introduced another approach to pelvic floor muscle stimulation.
Meet EMSELLA®, a non-invasive treatment that uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic technology, known as HIFEM®, to stimulate pelvic floor muscle contractions.
Rather than relying on you to consciously contract the muscles, EMSELLA® uses electromagnetic energy to generate repeated muscle contractions while you remain seated in a specialised chair.
The aim is to stimulate the pelvic floor muscles involved in support and bladder control.
Unlike conventional pelvic floor exercises, the contractions are generated by the technology rather than voluntary muscle activation.
At Ocean Cosmetics, EMSELLA® forms part of our approach to functional wellness, where we consider how technology may support muscle function and overall wellbeing.
However, EMSELLA® isn't a direct replacement for pelvic floor exercises or physiotherapy. Both approaches work differently, and suitability depends on the individual.
Kegel Exercises vs EMSELLA®: What's the Difference?
Although both Kegel exercises and EMSELLA® involve pelvic floor muscle contractions, the way those contractions occur is different.
Kegel exercises rely on voluntary muscle activation. You consciously contract and relax the pelvic floor muscles, helping develop strength, endurance and control over time.
EMSELLA® uses electromagnetic stimulation to activate the pelvic floor muscles without requiring you to perform each contraction yourself.
The key differences include:
| Kegel Exercises | EMSELLA® |
|---|---|
| Voluntary muscle contractions | Electromagnetically stimulated contractions |
| Can be performed at home | Performed in a specialised treatment chair |
| Requires correct muscle identification | Does not require conscious activation of each contraction |
| Helps train strength and coordination | Designed to stimulate pelvic floor muscle activity |
| Often part of pelvic floor physiotherapy | May be considered as an additional treatment option |
The important distinction is that EMSELLA® does not necessarily provide the same benefits as learning to voluntarily contract, coordinate and relax the pelvic floor muscles.
Research into electromagnetic pelvic floor stimulation has shown promising findings for selected patients, but the evidence varies, and it has not been established as superior to appropriately supervised pelvic floor muscle training.
For some people, a combination of approaches may be considered as part of an individualised management plan.
What Is Actually Happening During an EMSELLA® Treatment?
One of the features of EMSELLA® is how treatment is delivered.
There are no needles, surgery or internal applicators involved.
You simply sit on the specialised EMSELLA® chair, fully clothed, while the technology generates an electromagnetic field that stimulates the pelvic floor muscles.
During treatment, you may feel repeated muscle contractions or a tingling sensation.
A typical session takes approximately 30 minutes, and most suitable patients can return to their usual daily activities afterwards.
Treatment is generally delivered over a series of appointments, with the number and frequency determined by your individual assessment.
The aim is to stimulate pelvic floor muscle activity, but the response varies between individuals, and improvement in symptoms cannot be guaranteed.
Why Bladder Control Can Change After Childbirth and During Menopause
Pelvic floor concerns are often associated with pregnancy and childbirth, but hormonal changes and ageing can also influence bladder and pelvic health.
During pregnancy, the pelvic floor supports additional weight and experiences changes in the surrounding tissues. Childbirth can also affect muscle function, nerves and connective tissue support.
For some women, these changes may contribute to bladder leakage or reduced pelvic floor strength.
During perimenopause and menopause, declining oestrogen levels can affect the tissues surrounding the bladder, urethra and vagina.
Common changes may include:
- Bladder leakage when coughing, laughing or exercising
- Increased urinary urgency or frequency
- Changes in pelvic floor muscle function
- Vaginal dryness or changes in tissue comfort
- A feeling of reduced pelvic support
These symptoms can have several contributing causes, and not all are related to muscle weakness.
At Ocean Cosmetics, women's health is an important part of our approach to long-term wellbeing. We recognise that changes during menopause can extend beyond the skin, influencing many aspects of physical health and quality of life.
Understanding these changes allows us to have more informed conversations about available treatment options and when additional medical or physiotherapy assessment may be beneficial.
Can EMSELLA® Help With Bladder Leakage?
Bladder leakage is one of the reasons people begin exploring pelvic floor strengthening treatments.
However, not all bladder leakage is the same.
Stress urinary incontinence occurs when pressure on the bladder, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercising, causes urine to leak.
Urge urinary incontinence involves a sudden, strong need to urinate, sometimes accompanied by leakage before reaching the bathroom.
Some people experience a combination of both.
EMSELLA® is designed for pelvic floor muscle stimulation and may be considered for selected people experiencing urinary incontinence associated with pelvic floor dysfunction.
However, urinary symptoms can also be influenced by bladder conditions, hormonal changes, medication, neurological factors and other medical concerns.
This is why a consultation and appropriate assessment are important before commencing treatment.
Pelvic floor muscle training, bladder training, lifestyle changes and other medical treatments may also be recommended depending on the underlying cause.
Is EMSELLA® Suitable for Everyone?
Not necessarily.
While EMSELLA® is non-invasive, that doesn't mean it's appropriate for every person or every pelvic floor concern.
Certain implanted electronic or metal devices, pregnancy and some medical conditions may make treatment unsuitable.
For people experiencing pelvic floor overactivity, significant pelvic pain or difficulty relaxing the pelvic floor muscles, a different approach may be more appropriate.
A consultation provides an opportunity to review your medical history, understand your symptoms, discuss possible risks and consider whether EMSELLA® is suitable.
Where needed, further assessment by a GP, pelvic health physiotherapist or specialist may be recommended.
Why a Personalised Approach to Pelvic Floor Health Matters
There is no single treatment that addresses every pelvic floor concern.
Just as skin changes can involve different combinations of collagen loss, volume changes and reduced elasticity, pelvic floor symptoms can arise from several different factors.
For one person, the priority may be improving muscle strength. For another, it may involve bladder training, managing hormonal changes or learning how to properly relax and coordinate the pelvic floor muscles.
A personalised plan may include:
- Supervised pelvic floor muscle exercises
- Pelvic health physiotherapy
- Bladder training and lifestyle guidance
- Medical assessment of hormonal or urinary symptoms
- EMSELLA® technology for suitable patients
- A combination of approaches where clinically appropriate
At Ocean Cosmetics, our philosophy is not about choosing technology simply because it's available. It's about understanding your concerns and considering the options that make sense for your individual needs.
EMSELLA® at Ocean Cosmetics Perth
At Ocean Cosmetics, our doctor-led approach extends beyond aesthetic medicine to include functional wellness and long-term health.
We believe that feeling confident in your body isn't only about how you look. It's also about understanding the changes that occur throughout life and knowing what options are available to support your wellbeing.
EMSELLA® is one of the technologies we offer as part of this approach.
For patients interested in pelvic floor strengthening, our team can discuss how EMSELLA® works, what treatment involves and whether it may be suitable based on an individual assessment.
Learn more about EMSELLA® at Ocean Cosmetics.
Interested in learning more about EMSELLA® in Perth?
Book a consultation at Ocean Cosmetics to discuss pelvic floor health, learn about EMSELLA® technology and explore whether it may be an appropriate option for you.
Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not replace individual medical advice. EMSELLA® is not suitable for everyone. A consultation is required to assess suitability, discuss risks, alternatives and expected outcomes. Individual results vary.
