Pelvic Floor Electrical Stimulator Treatment

Pelvic floor electrical stimulator treatment is mainly used for females who help to manage uncontrollable urine leakage and reduce the frequent urgency to go to the washroom. Electric current with intensity is passed to the muscles around the bladder like muscles of the pelvic floor. It is a painless and non-invasive process which gives strength to the pelvic floor and vaginal muscles. Males can also use this machine to treat urinary frequency and urgency.

Types of Stimulation Devices

Mostly, there are two types of device which are mentioned below:

1. Internal Stimulation: In this electrical current is passed through a cable into the internal probe to create contraction in the muscle.

2. External Stimulation: It is done externally by attaching the skin electrode to your skin.

Benefits of Electrical Stimulation

This is done to improve various conditions:

• Bladder urgency
• Weak anal sphincter muscle
• Inconsistency due to an overactive bladder
• Weak pelvic floor
• Pelvic pain
• Stress inconsistency
• Urine urgency
• Weak vaginal muscles

Procedure of the Pelvic Floor Electrical Stimulator

PFES is an electric device to strengthen the muscle of the pelvic floor. It passes electrical current to the surrounding muscles of your bladder. This makes them contract and improve pelvic health and reduce the urgency of passing urine.

Parameters of Electrical Stimulator

This device has the following parameters and settings:

• Frequency: It is the number of pulse which is generated per second and it varies according to the condition of nerves. Stress and urge of urinary incontinence is treated with different frequencies. It stimulates and increases the ability of the pelvic floor muscles.
• Ramping: It shows how quickly the electrical current reaches to the muscle fibres. When the current is slowly raised to its peak then more stimulation will be felt.
• Amplitude: You can control the level of intensity of the electrical current at your comfort level. To stimulate the muscles of the pelvic floor, strong current should be passed to cause contraction.
• Pulse Width: It shows how long the pulse will last, the higher the width the pulse will penetrate deeply to activate nerve fibres.

How Does the Device Work?

Pelvic floor ES produces a flow of current when it applies to the body. When this electrical stimulator applies to the pelvic floor, it creates changes in the tissue as the charge flows. The charge particles are moved in one direction and then change the direction and it minimizes the tissue and skin irritation.

How to Use a Pelvic Floor Electrical Stimulator?

• A urogynaecologist will examine your pelvic and asseses your medical history before starting the PFES therapy.
• Your doctor will use a neuromuscular electrical stimulator to give strength to enhance pelvic health by causing muscle contraction.
• The device consists of wire cable and probe for internal stimulation and skin electrode for external stimulation. On the basis of requirement types of device is chosen.
• Applying site is cleaned and then the vaginal probe is inserted into vagina by applying lubricant on the probe and skin electrode is attached to the skin to stimulate muscles.
• Now the probe and electrode are connected with the device and the machine is started and the program is selected by a doctor.
• Patients will experience tingling sensation, as the intensity increases the muscles start to contract. This process can be done continuously or with taking a break.
• Once the pelvic floor muscles get started to contract then turn off the machine. 

Risks of Using an Electrical Stimulator 

Yes, the vaginal or anal stimulator may cause some risks which may vary from person to person:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Pain
• Tenderness
• The implanted device may move from its original site

Who Should Not Use Electrical Stimulation?

This should not be considered by those individuals who are experiencing these conditions:

• Seizures
• Pacemaker
• Bladder infection
• Rectal bleeding
• Planning a pregnancy
• Vaginal infection
• Dementia
• Broken skin of rectum and vagina