What Does EMSELLA Treatment Feel Like?

During EMSELLA, you remain fully clothed and seated while feeling a combination of tingling and repeated deep pelvic floor muscle contractions.

The programme includes contraction and rest phases. Correct positioning and your feedback help the team manage the experience. Stronger sensation is not, by itself, proof of a better clinical result.

Why pelvic-floor control includes relaxation as well as contraction · Is treatment painful?

As the treatment intensity increases, the contractions can feel strong and unusual, particularly during your first session, but most appropriately selected patients tolerate treatment well.

BTL Australia describes the EMSELLA® treatment sensation as tingling and pelvic floor muscle contractions. [1]

A clinical study involving 75 women undergoing HIFEM pelvic floor treatment reported no pain or downtime during the treatment program. [2]

The simplest way to describe it is:

You can feel your pelvic floor repeatedly contracting without having to consciously perform each contraction yourself.

Once you are positioned correctly on the treatment chair, the treatment begins at an appropriate intensity.

You remain:

As the electromagnetic energy is delivered, you begin to feel your pelvic floor muscles activate.

The sensation may include:

The treatment intensity can then be progressively adjusted according to your treatment plan and tolerance.

EMSELLA should generally feel intense rather than painful.

The purpose of treatment is to generate powerful pelvic floor contractions, so you should expect to feel something.

It is not intended to be a passive chair where you feel nothing.

However, treatment should also not become an exercise in tolerating pain.

If something feels unexpectedly painful or uncomfortable, tell the treating team.

Intensity can be reviewed and the treatment can be stopped if required.

Published HIFEM research involving women with urinary incontinence has reported good treatment tolerability, including a 75-patient study in which participants reported no pain or downtime. [2]

Not quite.

Tingling can be part of the experience, particularly as treatment begins.

But EMSELLA® is fundamentally a muscle stimulation treatment.

As intensity increases, the more noticeable sensation is usually the repeated contraction of the pelvic floor muscles.

People may describe this as:

The exact sensation varies between individuals.

There are similarities, but EMSELLA is much more automated and intensive.

When you perform a Kegel exercise, you voluntarily contract the pelvic floor yourself.

During EMSELLA®, high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy stimulates the nerves controlling the pelvic floor and causes the muscles to contract repeatedly.

BTL Australia describes EMSELLA® treatments as feeling similar to Kegel contractions generated by the device itself. [1]

You do not need to consciously produce every contraction.

What Does EMSELLA Actually Do?

They can become quite strong.

EMSELLA is designed to repeatedly activate the pelvic floor during the approximately 30-minute session.

The intensity is not necessarily set to maximum immediately.

It can be increased progressively according to:

The goal is effective treatment, not simply reaching the highest number displayed on the machine.

That is completely understandable.

Most people are not accustomed to feeling their pelvic floor muscles contract repeatedly without consciously controlling them.

The first few minutes can therefore feel unusual.

Once you understand what the sensation is and know what to expect, many patients find the remainder of the session straightforward.

You can speak with the clinical team throughout treatment if you are unsure about anything you are feeling.

No.

You remain fully clothed during EMSELLA® treatment.

There is no need to change into a gown for the treatment itself.

This is one of the practical features that makes EMSELLA® particularly approachable for people who feel nervous or self-conscious about pelvic floor treatment.

No.

There is:

The electromagnetic field is generated through the chair while you remain seated and clothed.

This is an important distinction for patients who have avoided pelvic floor treatment because they are uncomfortable with internal procedures.

For most patients, the actual treatment is remarkably uneventful.

You are simply seated on a chair while fully clothed.

The clinical conversation beforehand may involve personal topics such as:

These are medical symptoms.

You do not need to feel embarrassed about describing them.

At ¹EM, you can also request to discuss sensitive clinical concerns directly with Dr Emir.

Can I Speak to a Doctor Before EMSculpt Neo or EMSELLA Treatment?

No visible procedure is occurring.

You remain clothed and seated.

The muscle contractions are occurring within the pelvic floor rather than creating an invasive or exposed treatment experience.

For many patients, this is one of EMSELLA's biggest practical advantages.

Comfortable everyday clothing is generally appropriate.

You remain dressed throughout treatment.

There is normally no requirement for specialised treatment clothing.

If there is anything specific we would like you to avoid or change before your appointment, the ¹EM team can advise you when booking.

A typical EMSELLA treatment takes approximately 28 to 30 minutes.

BTL Australia's patient information describes a typical session as approximately 30 minutes. [1]

At ¹EM, the standard initial treatment course is generally:

6 sessions

2 sessions per week

Approximately 3 weeks

Related article: How Many EMSELLA Sessions Are Recommended?

The exact treatment sequence is controlled by the EMSELLA® system.

From the patient's perspective, you will experience periods of pelvic floor contraction and stimulation while remaining seated.

The treatment is designed to repeatedly activate the pelvic floor muscles throughout the session.

You do not need to:

Your main job is simply to remain correctly positioned and tell the clinical team how the treatment feels.

The treatment itself does not require you to actively perform exercises.

Many patients find the session straightforward enough to relax during treatment.

Whether using your phone is practical will depend on the clinic setup and how you personally respond to the contractions.

The priority is remaining appropriately positioned on the chair throughout treatment.

The underlying sensation is broadly similar because the treatment activates the pelvic floor muscles in both sexes.

Men may also describe:

Women may describe similar sensations.

The treatment reason can be very different, however.

For women, EMSELLA may be used as part of treatment for:

For men, it may be relevant to:

Related article: Does EMSELLA Help Men as Well?

The EMSELLA sensation itself remains one of pelvic floor muscle stimulation.

However, someone who has undergone prostate surgery has a different clinical context from someone with uncomplicated pelvic floor weakness.

At ¹EM, treatment is not started simply because urinary leakage is present.

Dr Emir considers:

before confirming that treatment is appropriate.

Once cleared for treatment, men generally remain fully clothed and experience the same repeated pelvic floor contractions during the session.

For an appropriately recovered postpartum patient, treatment involves the same tingling and pelvic floor contractions.

At ¹EM, EMSELLA is not performed during pregnancy or within the first three months after childbirth.

After that period, Dr Emir assesses:

before treatment is considered.

Related article: Can I Have EMSELLA After Pregnancy or Birth?

Menopause does not fundamentally change how the EMSELLA® treatment feels.

You remain clothed and seated while the pelvic floor contracts repeatedly.

What does change is the clinical reason for treatment.

Menopause can contribute to urinary and pelvic floor symptoms through several mechanisms, so Dr Emir considers whether pelvic floor strengthening is actually relevant to the symptoms you are experiencing.

Related article: Is EMSELLA Suitable for Women Going Through Menopause?

Some people may notice temporary muscular awareness, fatigue or soreness after treatment because the pelvic floor has undergone repeated contractions.

Others may feel essentially normal.

Published studies have generally reported good tolerability.

The 75-patient study of HIFEM treatment for female urinary incontinence reported no pain, downtime or adverse events. [2]

A 2025 EMSELLA® study involving 27 men following prostatectomy also reported no adverse events during the study. [3]

Individual experiences can still vary.

There is generally no required downtime.

Most patients can return to their normal routine immediately.

That can include:

BTL Australia states that patients may resume normal daily activities immediately after treatment. [1]

Related article: Is There Any Downtime After EMSELLA?

Generally, yes.

There is no routine requirement to avoid exercise following EMSELLA.

If your pelvic floor feels particularly fatigued following a session, you can adjust your activity according to how you feel.

If anything feels unexpected or concerning, speak with the ¹EM team.

It can.

During your first treatment, you are learning what pelvic floor electromagnetic stimulation feels like.

You may initially be more aware of every sensation because it is unfamiliar.

As you become accustomed to the treatment, subsequent sessions may feel more familiar and easier to anticipate.

Treatment intensity can also be progressed according to your plan and tolerance.

No.

You do not need to demonstrate perfect voluntary pelvic floor contractions before the EMSELLA chair can stimulate the muscles.

One of the advantages of electromagnetic stimulation is that the muscle contraction does not rely entirely on your ability to consciously activate the pelvic floor during treatment.

That said, pelvic floor exercises can still be useful as part of a broader rehabilitation strategy.

You will usually feel the pelvic floor contracting.

The treatment does not work invisibly in the sense that nothing happens during the session.

The contractions are the physical effect of the electromagnetic stimulation.

Whether those contractions ultimately improve your symptoms is assessed over the treatment course.

For urinary incontinence, progress might include:

Some patients report noticing changes early, but you should not judge the whole treatment program by session one.

EMSELLA is usually delivered as a course of six treatments.

Published studies have assessed improvement after completion of the treatment program and during subsequent follow-up, with some showing continued improvement after the sixth session. [2-4]

Pelvic floor strengthening takes time.

Tell us.

Treatment is not meant to become a test of endurance.

The clinical team can review the intensity and your position on the chair.

If something does not feel right, it should be addressed rather than ignored.

Tell the treating team immediately.

Pain should not simply be assumed to be a normal part of treatment.

Unexpected pain may mean:

The fact that EMSELLA is non-invasive does not mean every unusual sensation should be dismissed.

For appropriately selected patients, HIFEM pelvic floor treatment has generally been well tolerated in clinical studies. [2-4]

There are still important contraindications.

These include certain:

This is why suitability is assessed before you sit down for treatment.

Related article: Is EMSELLA Safe?

At ¹EM, the process begins with understanding:

Dr Emir provides clinical oversight, and individual medical questions can be reviewed before treatment proceeds.

Related article: What Happens During a ¹EM Consultation?

Most patients feel tingling and repeated deep pelvic floor muscle contractions while seated on the treatment chair.

It should generally feel intense rather than painful. Published clinical studies have reported good tolerability.

They can become strong as treatment intensity increases.

No. You remain fully clothed.

No. There is no internal probe or applicator.

The muscle contractions may feel similar, but EMSELLA stimulates them automatically using electromagnetic energy.

Approximately 28 to 30 minutes.

Yes. You remain awake and can communicate with the treating team.

Many people feel normal. Temporary muscle awareness, fatigue or soreness can occur.

Yes. There is generally no required downtime.

Generally, yes, if you feel comfortable.

It can. Feeling the pelvic floor contract without consciously initiating each contraction is unfamiliar for many people at first.

Tell the clinical team immediately so the treatment can be adjusted or reassessed.

For many people, the treatment experience is much simpler than they expected.

You sit down.

You remain fully clothed.

The pelvic floor repeatedly contracts.

You feel tingling and deep muscle activation.

Approximately 30 minutes later, the session is complete and you can generally continue with your normal day.

For patients who have delayed pelvic floor treatment because they expected an invasive or embarrassing procedure, that simplicity can make a significant difference.

You do not have to know whether your pelvic floor symptoms are suitable for treatment before you contact us.

At ¹EM, Dr Emir and the clinical team can assess your symptoms, explain exactly what treatment involves and determine whether EMSELLA® is appropriate for you.

CTA heading: Experience Pelvic Floor Treatment Without the Awkwardness

CTA description: Book a complimentary consultation to discuss your symptoms, understand what EMSELLA® will feel like and find out whether treatment is right for you.

CTA button: Book Your Complimentary Consultation

Internal links:

EMSELLA® at ¹EM:https://emsella.1em.com.au/

¹EM:https://1em.com.au/

Related article: What Does EMSELLA® Actually Do?

Related article: How Many EMSELLA® Sessions Are Recommended?

Related article: Is There Any Downtime After EMSELLA®?

Related article: Is EMSELLA® Safe?

Related article: Can EMSELLA® Help With Urinary Incontinence?

1. BTL Aesthetics Australia. EMSELLA® Patient Information.

BTL Australia states that patients experience tingling and pelvic floor muscle contractions during treatment, remain fully clothed, and can generally return to normal activities immediately afterwards.

2. Samuels JB, Pezzella A, Berenholz J, et al. Safety and Efficacy of a Non-Invasive High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Field Device for Treatment of Urinary Incontinence and Enhancement of Quality of Life. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 2019. PMID: 31172580.

Seventy-five women underwent six HIFEM treatments. The study reported no pain, downtime or adverse events during treatment.

3. Evaluating the Efficacy of High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Therapy for Postprostatectomy Incontinence in Men. 2025. PMID: 40909763.

Twenty-seven men underwent six EMSELLA® treatments for persistent post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence. No adverse events were reported.

4. Is the High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Energy an Effective Treatment for Urinary Incontinence in Women? Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management. PMID: 39640007.

Thirty-five women received six EMSELLA® treatments twice weekly, with significant improvements in urinary symptoms after treatment and at one-month follow-up.

This article provides general information and does not replace individual medical assessment. Treatment experience and tolerance vary between patients. Unexpected pain or significant discomfort should be reported to the clinical team during treatment.