Urinary Incontinence and Pelvic Floor Muscles – What It Is and How It Can Be Treated

Urinary incontinence is a common but often unspoken condition that affects both women and men. It can appear as sudden loss of bladder control, stress incontinence (for example, when coughing or laughing), or urge incontinence, where urine leaks due to a sudden, intense urge to urinate.

The most common underlying cause is weakened pelvic floor muscles, which means the bladder and sphincter muscles don’t get enough support. Pelvic floor weakness is common after childbirth, during menopause, or with aging - but it can also affect men, for example, after prostate surgery.

Pelvic Floor Muscles – The Body’s Support Foundation

The pelvic floor muscles form a supportive base for the bladder, uterus, and intestines. When these muscles are strong and functioning properly, bladder control is effortless, and blood circulation in the intimate area remains healthy.

When the pelvic floor muscles are weak, symptoms may include:

• Small, involuntary urine leakage during movement or laughter
• Dribbling after urination
• A feeling of heaviness in the pelvic area
• Dryness or sensitivity in the intimate area
• Reduced sexual pleasure

Causes of Pelvic Floor Weakness

There are several factors that can lead to weakened pelvic floor muscles:

• Pregnancy and childbirth: Stretch and strain the pelvic muscles. Recovery takes time, and without proper training, muscle control may remain insufficient.
• Aging and hormonal changes: The decline of estrogen reduces tissue elasticity, increasing the risk of incontinence.
• Excess weight: Adds pressure on the pelvic floor and bladder.
• Chronic coughing or constipation: Continuous straining weakens the pelvic floor over time.
• Surgeries and injuries: Procedures like prostate surgery can affect how men’s pelvic floor muscles function.
• Sedentary lifestyle or lack of exercise: Impairs circulation and reduces muscle elasticity.

Training and Physiotherapy

Regular pelvic floor exercises are the most effective way to prevent and treat urinary incontinence.

Kegel exercises and other pelvic floor training routines help strengthen the muscles, but they require consistency and correct technique.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy offers individual guidance, biofeedback, and a safe, progressive training plan.

With proper technique and regular practice, noticeable improvement can occur within a few weeks.

EMSELLA – A New Era in Incontinence Treatment

If muscle control has been weak for a long time or Kegel exercises alone are not enough, EMSELLA offers an effective alternative. This medically approved, completely non-invasive treatment strengthens the pelvic floor muscles more efficiently than manual training.

EMSELLA uses HIFEM technology (High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Energy) to activate the deep pelvic floor muscles, inducing over 11,000 Kegel contractions during a single 30-minute session – all without pain or downtime.

EMSELLA is suitable for:

• Postpartum recovery
• Stress and urge incontinence
• Weak pelvic floor muscles and improved intimate circulation
• Male incontinence, such as after prostate surgery

Most patients notice improvement after just a few sessions. EMSELLA treatments are performed fully clothed and help restore control and confidence naturally and safely.

Urinary Incontinence in Men

In men, urinary incontinence often occurs after prostate surgery, due to weakened muscles or nerve-related changes.

The male pelvic floor functions the same way as in women – supporting the bladder and controlling urination.

Pelvic floor training and Kegel exercises can help restore control, and EMSELLA treatment can be an effective alternative to medication for incontinence.

When to Seek Professional Help

Contact a doctor or physiotherapist if:

• You experience urine leakage during exertion or sudden urges
• Kegel exercises haven’t helped
• You feel constant pressure or discomfort in the pelvic area
• You’re looking for an effective and safe treatment for urinary incontinence

By combining professional guidance with proper pelvic floor muscle training or treatments like EMSELLA, it’s possible to restore bladder control and intimate well-being.

Summary

Urinary incontinence is not something you have to live with. By strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, doing regular Kegel exercises, and using modern treatments like EMSELLA, you can achieve lasting improvement - safely and without medication or surgery.