- Non-invasive, no downtime: Emsella strengthens pelvic floor muscles without surgery.
- Mild side effects: Usually limited to temporary soreness or tingling.
- Serious issues are rare: Call your provider for persistent or unusual symptoms.
- Often tried before surgery: A convenient first option for bladder control.
Did you know that urinary incontinence impacts roughly 421 million people worldwide? Despite the prevalence of this condition, many people avoid seeking help due to embarrassment or the misconception that it’s a normal part of aging and there’s nothing they can do about it.
Launched in 2018, the Emsella Chair has been shown to improve urinary symptoms and overall quality of life. While this non-invasive treatment is effective for many patients, there are potential side effects you should know about before starting treatment.
In this article, we explain what you might feel during and after sessions, what’s considered normal, and when to call your healthcare provider.
What Is the Emsella Chair?
The Emsella Chair is a high-intensity electromagnetic device designed to stimulate and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. This FDA-approved treatment helps patients improve bladder control without the need for surgery or downtime.
Treatment sessions usually last 28 minutes and provide the equivalent of about 11,000+ kegels. In addition to treating both stress and urge urinary incontinence, the Emsella chair offers the following benefits:
- Treats both women and men
- Enhances sexual health and performance
- Strengthens weak pelvic floor muscles
- Enhances post-pregnancy recovery
- Improves overall quality of life
Sensations vs Side Effects
During an Emsella Chair session, patients sit fully clothed while the chair delivers electromagnetic pulses. This induces thousands of involuntary contractions in the pelvic region to restore neuromuscular control.
When sitting on the chair, you can expect to feel a tingling sensation as your muscles contract. Anesthesia is not required, and you shouldn’t feel any pain.
Afterwards, some patients report mild sensations (like muscle soreness or warmth), but these side effects are usually short-lived.
Common & Mild Side Effects
Most Emsella treatment side effects are temporary and resolve on their own. Patients often notice minor sensations that are a completely normal response to pelvic floor muscle stimulation.
Common side effects may include:
- Temporary pelvic floor muscle soreness, similar to post-workout discomfort
- Mild tingling or vibration immediately after the session
- Redness or warmth around the treated area (rare and short-lived)
- Temporary muscle spasms or tendon discomfort
Duration: These effects usually last anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days, and generally do not interfere with daily activities.
Less Common & Rare Experiences
Severe adverse reactions to the Emsella chair are extremely rare. Most patients tolerate the treatment well, with clinical studies consistently highlighting the Emsella chair’s strong safety profile. Emsella is FDA-approved and widely used in clinical settings, which further supports its overall safety when administered appropriately.
In uncommon, anecdotal reports, some patients have experienced:
- Pain unrelated to the pelvic floor
- Discomfort that persisted beyond a couple of days
These occurrences are not typical, and you should contact your provider if you encounter them.
While these rare cases exist, they do not reflect the standard patient experience. Instead, they emphasize the importance of medical screening, following professional guidance, and discussing any pre-existing conditions before treatment.
When to Contact Your Provider?
You should reach out to your healthcare provider if you experience:
- Severe or persistent pain that doesn’t improve
- Redness, swelling, or irritation that lingers
- New or unusual symptoms shortly after a session
- Any concerns about sensations or reactions during or after treatment
Prompt communication ensures your safety and helps your provider address any issues before they worsen.
Emsella Side Effects vs. Surgical Alternatives
Before committing to any urinary incontinence treatment, you should know all your options. People with more severe symptoms are sometimes recommended surgical interventions, which usually carry higher risks and longer recovery times. Let’s compare:
| Treatment type | Side effects | Recovery time |
| Emsella chair | Mild, temporary effects | No downtime |
| Surgical procedures | Higher risk of complications | Longer recovery period |
Because Emsella is non-invasive and requires no recovery time, it’s often explored as a first option before surgical options are considered.
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FAQs
Emsella chair side effects are generally similar for both men and women. Most people experience mild muscle sensations related to pelvic floor contractions, regardless of gender.
Mild side effects (such as muscle soreness) typically lessen after the first few sessions as the pelvic floor muscles adapt to the treatment. Most patients complete a course of six sessions over three weeks for optimal results.
Most side effects are short-lived and should resolve within a few hours to a couple of days following a session.
Side effects are usually immediate or occur shortly after treatment. Delayed reactions are uncommon.
Yes. Clinical studies support the safety of repeated Esmella Chair treatment sessions when performed under medical supervision and following proper screening. Some patients also return for maintenance sessions after completing their initial treatment plan.
Some patients notice temporary muscle fatigue early on, similar to what happens when starting a new exercise routine. This is typically short-term and doesn’t worsen urinary incontinence symptoms over time.
There is no clinical evidence to suggest that Emsella causes nerve damage. The treatment is designed to stimulate muscles, not nerves.
Urinary discomfort or burning is not a typical side effect. If you experience these symptoms after your Emsella treatment, you should contact your healthcare provider to rule out other causes.
Mild fatigue can occur in some individuals due to muscle activation, but this is temporary and usually resolves quickly. Staying hydrated before and after your session can help minimize any feelings of tiredness.
Sources:
- https://drnovikova.co.za/emsella-chair/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10383588/
- https://www.saakhealth.com/what-to-expect-during-your-first-emsella-treatment-a-patients-guide/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39640007/
