Frequently Asked Questions

Emsella is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive pelvic floor therapy that uses High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) energy to trigger deep pelvic floor muscle contractions. You sit fully clothed in a specialized chair for 28 minutes per session.

The electromagnetic field penetrates clothing and tissue to stimulate the pelvic floor muscles directly — producing approximately 11,200 contractions per session. This level of muscle activation far exceeds what voluntary Kegel exercises can achieve, rebuilding the muscle strength and coordination that reduces or eliminates urinary leakage.

The standard protocol is 6 sessions over 3 weeks — two sessions per week. Most patients begin noticing improvement around sessions 3-4. Results continue to improve for 4-6 weeks after completing the full series as muscles continue to strengthen.

Some patients with more severe incontinence benefit from additional sessions. Maintenance sessions every 6-12 months help preserve long-term results.

Most patients describe a series of tingling, pulsing sensations or a feeling of intense muscle tightening in the pelvic region. It's not painful — more unusual than uncomfortable. You may feel involuntary muscle contractions and some vibration. Intensity can typically be adjusted to your comfort level.

You remain fully clothed throughout, seated in a chair that resembles a standard office chair. Most people read, use their phone, or simply relax during the session.

Most patients notice a meaningful reduction in leakage frequency and volume after sessions 3-4. The full benefit typically peaks 4-6 weeks after completing all 6 sessions, as muscles continue strengthening after treatment ends.

Clinical studies show 95% of patients report significant improvement in quality of life. For many patients, incontinence resolves completely; others see a major reduction that allows them to return to activities they'd been avoiding — exercise, travel, social outings.

Results typically last 6-12 months after completing the initial 6-session series. Most patients choose periodic maintenance sessions — typically 1-2 sessions every 6-12 months — to preserve their results.

Factors like additional pregnancies, significant weight gain, or hormonal changes (such as menopause) can affect how long results hold.

Emsella is not currently covered by Medicare or most private insurance plans — it's classified as an elective treatment. Many patients pay with HSA funds, which are typically accepted. FSA funds generally cannot be used as Emsella does not have a CPT billing code.

At Bay View Chiropractic in Milwaukee, the full 6-session package is $1,800.

Emsella works well for most adults experiencing urinary incontinence. Ideal candidates include:

• Women with stress incontinence (leaking with coughing, sneezing, or exercise)
• Women with urge or mixed incontinence
• Postpartum women whose incontinence hasn't fully resolved
• Men experiencing incontinence after prostate surgery
• Menopausal women dealing with bladder changes

Emsella is not appropriate for patients with pacemakers, metal implants in the treatment area, or active urinary tract infections.

Yes. Emsella is effective for men, particularly those experiencing incontinence following prostate surgery (radical prostatectomy). Studies show 70-80% of men regain complete or near-complete continence within 6 months of surgery — and Emsella can accelerate and improve this recovery.

Emsella is also effective for men who wake multiple times per night to urinate (nocturia). By strengthening the pelvic floor and reducing bladder overactivity, many men see a meaningful reduction in nighttime bathroom trips — often one of the most disruptive symptoms for sleep quality and daily function.

Men sit on the chair fully clothed, just as women do.

Emsella is non-invasive with a very favorable safety profile. The most common side effect is temporary muscle soreness, similar to what you'd feel after an intense workout — typically resolving within 24-48 hours.

Some patients notice slightly increased urinary frequency for the first day or two as muscles adapt. There is no downtime; you return to normal activities immediately after each session.

Both target the pelvic floor — but through different mechanisms:

• Pelvic floor PT uses biofeedback, manual therapy, and guided exercises with a trained therapist. Effective, but requires 6-12 weekly appointments, daily homework (20-45 min/day), and significant financial commitment — with limited insurance coverage.
• Emsella requires no active participation. You sit for 28 minutes while the technology does the work, producing 11,200 contractions per session versus the few hundred achievable through manual exercise.

Many patients choose Emsella because it's faster, requires less time commitment, and produces results for those who can't perform voluntary exercises correctly. Both approaches can also be combined for severe cases.

The main types are:

• Stress incontinence — leaking with physical pressure: coughing, sneezing, laughing, jumping, or lifting. Caused by a weakened pelvic floor or sphincter.
• Urge incontinence — a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by leaking. Caused by an overactive bladder that contracts involuntarily.
• Mixed incontinence — a combination of both stress and urge. Very common, especially in women.
• Overflow incontinence — inability to fully empty the bladder, causing constant dribbling. More common in men.
• Functional incontinence — physical or cognitive impairments that prevent reaching the bathroom in time.

Stress incontinence leaks happen in response to physical pressure — coughing, sneezing, laughing, jumping, or lifting. The problem is structural: the pelvic floor or sphincter can't resist sudden pressure spikes. Treatment focuses on strengthening those muscles.

Urge incontinence involves a sudden, overwhelming urge to urinate that's hard to suppress, sometimes resulting in leakage before reaching the bathroom. The problem is bladder behavior: the bladder signals urgency when it's not actually full. Treatment focuses on calming the overactive bladder reflex.

Many people have both simultaneously — this is called mixed incontinence. Emsella addresses both types, which makes it particularly useful for mixed presentations.

Incontinence becomes more common with age, but it's not inevitable or untreatable. The changes that come with aging — reduced muscle mass, hormonal shifts, prostate changes in men — increase risk. But "common" doesn't mean "permanent."

Most people of any age can achieve significant improvement with appropriate treatment. There is no age limit for Emsella or pelvic floor therapy — patients in their 70s and beyond see meaningful results.

Several reasons Kegels fail:

• Incorrect technique — Studies show up to 70% of people contract the wrong muscles, bear down instead of lifting up, or hold their breath. Without feedback, it's hard to know if you're doing them right.
• Insufficient volume — Effective Kegels require 100-200 correct contractions daily for 3-6 months. Most people do far fewer.
• Wrong type of incontinence — Kegels target stress incontinence. They provide little benefit for urge incontinence or overactive bladder.
• Hormonal barriers — Pelvic floor muscles respond less robustly to voluntary exercise when estrogen is low (perimenopause, menopause).

If Kegels haven't worked, it typically means you need a more powerful strengthening method — not just more Kegels.

For many people, yes — the outcome depends on type and cause:

• Stress incontinence — often significantly improved or fully resolved with pelvic floor strengthening (Emsella, pelvic floor PT)
• Postpartum incontinence — frequently resolves completely, especially with treatment
• Post-prostatectomy — most men (70-80%) regain near-complete continence with time and therapy
• Menopausal incontinence — very responsive to treatment, though maintenance may be needed given the permanent hormonal change
• Severe structural incontinence — may require surgery, but non-surgical options should always be tried first

Yes. Estrogen receptors are found throughout the bladder wall, urethra, and pelvic floor muscles. When estrogen declines during perimenopause and menopause, these tissues thin, lose elasticity, and weaken — directly affecting the ability to control urination.

This causes both stress incontinence (weakened pelvic floor can't resist pressure) and urge incontinence (bladder lining becomes more sensitive). Unlike postpartum incontinence, menopausal incontinence typically does not resolve without treatment because the underlying hormonal change is permanent.

Read the full article on menopause and incontinence →

Often, yes — especially with active pelvic floor work. About 30-50% of women experience incontinence in the months following childbirth, but the majority see significant improvement within 6-12 months postpartum.

Women who do targeted therapy (Emsella or pelvic floor PT) recover faster and more completely than those who wait passively. If incontinence is still present 6 months after delivery, it's unlikely to resolve entirely on its own — treatment at that point is recommended.

Read the full article on postpartum incontinence →

Most men experience some urinary leakage immediately after prostatectomy — ranging from mild to significant. The good news: 70-80% regain complete or near-complete continence by 6 months after surgery, often without any treatment.

For men still experiencing significant leakage at 3-6 months, Emsella can accelerate recovery by directly strengthening the external urinary sphincter and pelvic floor — the muscles that compensate for the surgical disruption.

Read the full article on incontinence after prostate surgery →

At Bay View Chiropractic in Milwaukee, the full 6-session Emsella package is $1,800. HSA payments are accepted; FSA funds generally cannot be used as Emsella does not have a CPT billing code. This covers the complete initial treatment series.

Maintenance sessions are priced individually and are typically done every 6-12 months to preserve results.

No referral is needed. You can schedule directly with Bay View Chiropractic at (414) 295-6045. A free initial consultation is available to discuss your symptoms, determine whether Emsella is right for you, and explain what to expect from treatment.

Bay View Chiropractic is located at 3116 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207 — in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood. Street parking is typically available on Kinnickinnic Ave. Call or text (414) 295-6045.

Your first appointment begins with a free consultation with Dr. Fritz. We'll discuss your symptoms, medical history, and what you've tried previously. This helps confirm that Emsella is the right fit and sets expectations for your results.

If you decide to proceed, the first Emsella session can often be done the same day. The session itself is 28 minutes. You can drive yourself and return to work immediately after — no downtime or preparation is needed.