After Two Kids, My Pelvic Floor Was Incredibly Weak—Emsella Treatment Completely Changed That
Our take
## Our Take: The Quiet Revolution in Pelvic Floor Wellness
The candid admission – “I’ve been peeing my pants for the past five years” – is a stark and deeply relatable opening to Alana’s story about her experience with Emsella treatment, as detailed in Marie Claire’s *Life in Plastic* column. It immediately cuts through the often-clinical language surrounding pelvic floor health and lands with a visceral honesty. This isn't about a cosmetic enhancement; it's about reclaiming bodily function and a sense of normalcy after childbirth. The willingness to discuss such a personal struggle publicly signifies a broader shift in how we approach women’s health, moving away from hushed tones and towards open conversation. It echoes a growing trend of destigmatization surrounding post-partum bodies and the challenges they face, a movement that mirrors the conversation around embracing imperfections and prioritizing well-being over unrealistic beauty standards. Consider, for instance, the recent discussion on the limitations of the "mom bag" concept, as explored in The Mom Bag Is a Myth—Here’s What I Carry Instead, which highlights the need for functionality and personal style, rather than a prescribed accessory. Similarly, observing Queen Camilla’s practical choices, such as her affordable Amazon find at Wimbledon, as detailed in Queen Camilla and Harriet Sperling Show They're Wimbledon's Biggest "Fans" During Heat Wave underscores a broader cultural move towards prioritizing comfort and functionality over ostentatious displays.
The rise of non-invasive treatments like Emsella speaks to a demand for solutions that are both effective and discreet. Traditional pelvic floor exercises, while often recommended, can be challenging to implement consistently and may not yield sufficient results for everyone. Emsella, with its promise of improved muscle strength through targeted electromagnetic stimulation, offers a compelling alternative – or supplement – to those approaches. The fact that Alana required only four sessions to experience significant improvement is particularly encouraging, suggesting a relatively low commitment of time and resources. This aligns with the broader trend towards “tweakments,” small, targeted procedures that deliver noticeable results without drastic changes. It’s also a powerful message for women who may feel embarrassed or ashamed to seek help for pelvic floor issues, demonstrating that there are accessible and effective options available. The article’s placement within Marie Claire’s *Life in Plastic* column, traditionally focused on cosmetic procedures, is significant. It subtly normalizes the conversation around pelvic floor health, positioning it within the same realm of self-care and body optimization.
However, it’s crucial to approach these treatments with informed expectations. While Emsella shows promise, it’s not a universal solution, and individual results can vary. Transparency regarding potential limitations, costs, and the importance of consulting with a qualified healthcare professional is essential. The increasing visibility of these procedures also necessitates a critical eye towards marketing claims and the potential for unrealistic portrayals of outcomes. Furthermore, the focus on technological solutions should not overshadow the importance of foundational practices like mindful movement and strengthening exercises. It’s about finding a holistic approach that integrates technology with lifestyle choices. The subtle shift towards prioritizing effortless style, as exemplified by Dua Lipa’s cool-girl uniform, as described in Dua Lipa's Flip-Flops-and-Jeans Outfit Is the Cool-Girl Uniform I'm Living in This Summerindicates a desire for authenticity and practicality, which extends to how we approach our health and well-being.
Looking ahead, the normalization of conversations surrounding pelvic floor health is likely to accelerate, fueled by increased awareness, destigmatization, and advancements in treatment options. The integration of technology into women’s wellness, both preventative and restorative, will continue to evolve. The question remains: will healthcare providers and media outlets rise to the challenge of providing nuanced, evidence-based information to empower women to make informed decisions about their pelvic floor health, or will the market be driven solely by marketing hype and unrealistic expectations? The answers to this question will shape the future of this quietly revolutionary space.
Nothing gets us more excited than talking about a not-so-little tweakment or a nip-tuck procedure. In the spirit of transparency, Marie Claire’s aesthetics column, Life in Plastic, delivers a first-hand peak into what goes on behind the doctor’s door.
Alana is a 42-year-old woman living in NYC with two children. She had four sessions of Emsella in Spring 2026. This is her story, as told to Marie Claire, edited for length and clarity.
After having two children, my pelvic floor became very weak. Every time I work out, I pee my pants. Like, immensely, and it was honestly just so frustrating. I’ve been peeing my pants for the past five years; it’s terrible. “Damage to the pelvic floor happens during vaginal birth due to the stretching and tearing of the soft tissues and muscles that support the pelvic organs,” explains double board-certified OBGYN and Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgeon Patricia Wallace, MD. “Women have more risk factors that impact the pelvic floor than men, and therefore have more issues—loss of bladder control, often with activity, coughing, or laughing, called stress incontinence.”
Nothing would fix it, either. I went to the doctor and they told me to keep doing kegels. But nobody shows you how to do a kegel the right way, and it’s just a very frustrating process. I even went to a GP (my general doctor), and they told me to go to physical therapy to strengthen my pelvic floor. I tried it, but it was super intrusive. I had to go twice a week, and frankly, I’m too busy. I work, and I have two kids. It’s not happening.
Then I heard about Emsella, which was just four 30-minute sessions. “Emsella is high-frequency electromagnetic energy that causes contractions in all the pelvic floor muscles. Emsella 'body builds' the pelvic floor,” explains Dr. Wallace. “It is impossible to contract all these muscles voluntarily, and while pelvic floor physical therapy is always great for technique, breath and body mechanics, it doesn’t lead to an increase in muscle mass.” I heard great things, but you really don’t believe it works until you try it. I finished the treatments a few weeks ago, and I’m happy to report there is no more pee in my pants.
Session One of Emsella
I wasn’t anxious going into my appointment. Honestly, I was just nervous. All I was thinking was, Is this going to hurt? But at the same time, we do so many things and treatments that are painful to our bodies just to help us feel better. The second I got to the office—I went to BLT Body Boutique by Dr. Yael Halaas in Manhattan—I felt better. The space was gorgeous, clean, and beautiful. I filled out some typical paperwork and waited in the lobby until they called me back into a private room.
In the room there’s this flat chair, and that’s the Emsella device. The nurse practitioner told me how to sit on it—you basically lean forward and push your pelvic floor down. Then I just had to stay seated like that for 30 minutes. It went by pretty fast, which was great. It feels like this motion of electric shock waves or energy that are hitting the inside of your pelvic floor. Imagine you’re snapping rubber bands on your hands. It feels like that, but on your pelvic floor. It’s this electrical current that travels through your body and contracts your pelvic floor muscles.
There’s no pain or even discomfort after the session. I ran the next morning and felt like I wasn’t wetting myself as much. This is TMI, but I also get kind of damp when I sleep—like I try to hold my pee and wake up a little wet. It wasn’t as bad the next morning.
Emsella Sessions 2 through 4
The process for all the sessions is the same. It’s the same strength and the same amount of time. I did one a week. I probably started to notice the biggest difference after my third session. I didn’t even know if I was going to go back for a fourth session, but better to be safe than sorry. After that last one, I started waking up, and my pants were totally dry. I don’t have to change my underwear every time I come home from the gym. Like, it’s two in the afternoon, and I’m wearing the same clothes I wore to work out this morning.
“Some women feel impact after a few sessions; other women see results closer to the end of six treatments,” says Dr. Wallace. “I usually recommend repeating sessions three times per year or more as needed to stay strong. Just like any other muscle, if you don’t use it, you lose it.”
The Takeaway on Emsella
I have no regrets. It made such a big difference. It hits the spot, and I honestly don’t know why anyone would spend months in PT over doing Emsella. I’ve told all my friends to do it. Nothing is ever wet anymore. It’s great.
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