Emfemme and Emsella for urinary incontinence: advanced, non-surgical care in the Bay Area

Urinary leakage disrupts daily life, exercise, intimacy, and confidence. It is also common and very treatable without surgery in many cases. At Renaissance Healthcare for Women in Mountain View, our team evaluates the full picture, then builds a plan that may include EmFemme 360 and Emsella alongside pelvic floor physical therapy, lifestyle strategies, medications when indicated, and thoughtful follow-up.

This guide explains how EmFemme and Emsella work, who may benefit, what to expect from a treatment series, and how these technologies fit within a comprehensive urogynecology care plan. It also outlines pricing ranges in the Bay Area, current insurance considerations, and how our practice supports documentation for reimbursement attempts and pre-tax payment options.

Understanding urinary incontinence types

  • Stress incontinence occurs with pressure on the bladder, such as coughing, laughing, sneezing, running, or lifting. It reflects weakening or laxity of pelvic support tissues and the urethral sphincter.
  • Urge incontinence is the sudden, difficult-to-delay need to urinate related to overactive bladder and detrusor muscle overactivity. Frequency and nocturia often accompany it.
  • Mixed incontinence combines features of both stress and urge leakage. Many patients fall into this category, so evaluation and blended treatments are common.

A focused history, pelvic exam, and sometimes a bladder diary help identify the dominant pattern and guide the plan.

What Emfemme is and how it works

EmFemme 360 is a radiofrequency (RF) intimate wellness device that gently warms vaginal and vulvar tissues. Controlled RF heat stimulates collagen and elastin remodeling, improves blood flow, and supports tissue thickness and elasticity. For urinary concerns, improved tissue tone around the urethra can enhance support in mild stress incontinence and contribute to comfort in perimenopause or postmenopause.

What it feels like: a warm sensation. No anesthesia is used, and there is no downtime. Sessions are performed in-office with discretion, privacy, and consent-centered care.

Typical course: three brief treatments, usually one week apart. Early changes may be noticed within weeks, with progressive improvement over 1 to 3 months as collagen remodeling continues. Maintenance is individualized; many patients choose periodic touch-ups based on symptom return and life stage.

What Emsella is and how it works

Emsella uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) energy to induce thousands of supramaximal pelvic floor contractions during a fully clothed, approximately 30-minute session. This targeted neuromuscular stimulation strengthens and re-educates the pelvic floor, which can reduce stress leakage and improve support for the bladder and urethra. Some patients with urge or mixed incontinence also report fewer urgency episodes as coordination and tone improve.

What it feels like: deep pelvic muscle contractions and a tingling sensation. There is no downtime. You sit comfortably in the Emsella chair, and treatment is completed in-office.

Typical course: six sessions scheduled twice weekly over three weeks. Early changes are common after a few sessions, with more meaningful improvement over 2 to 3 months. Maintenance varies; many patients schedule periodic boosters based on activity level, life events, and symptom trends.

Who is a good candidate

Candidacy is determined by a board-certified OB-GYN after history and exam. Good candidates often include:

  • Postpartum patients with pelvic floor weakness or mild stress leakage.
  • Perimenopausal and postmenopausal patients with tissue thinning, dryness, mild to moderate stress incontinence, or mixed symptoms.
  • Post-surgical patients seeking non-surgical support for persistent mild leakage after appropriate healing.
  • Patients who have started or completed pelvic floor physical therapy and want added strengthening or tissue support.
  • Individuals preferring non-hormonal, office-based options.

Contraindications include pregnancy, active pelvic or urinary infection, implanted electronic devices or metal near the treatment field that are not compatible with electromagnetic energy, and uncontrolled bleeding disorders. A focused review of your medical history guides safe selection.

Treatment course, results, and maintenance

Session length: EmFemme appointments are brief and private; Emsella sessions last about 30 minutes while fully clothed.

Typical series:

  • EmFemme 360: three sessions, about one week apart.
  • Emsella: six sessions, twice weekly for three weeks.

Onset and durability: Many patients notice early improvements during the series. Collagen remodeling, neuromuscular strengthening, and behavioral adjustments continue to build over 2 to 3 months. Durability varies by baseline condition, menopause status, activity, and ongoing pelvic floor engagement. Maintenance plans are personalized and may include periodic EmFemme or Emsella boosters, at-home pelvic floor work, and lifestyle strategies.

Safety, side effects, and realistic limitations

Both technologies are non-surgical and require no downtime. Common experiences include warmth with EmFemme and deep muscle contractions with Emsella. Temporary mild pelvic soreness or increased awareness of the pelvic muscles can occur and typically resolves quickly. These treatments do not replace surgical repair for advanced pelvic organ prolapse or severe sphincter deficiency; medications, Botox for overactive bladder, neuromodulation, or surgery may be appropriate in selected cases.

Misconceptions addressed:

  • Emsella is performed fully clothed while seated in the chair.
  • EmFemme is a discreet, in-office session with a privacy-forward, consent-centered approach.
  • There is no required downtime; routine activities can resume the same day.

How Emfemme and Emsella fit with other options

Pelvic floor physical therapy remains foundational and is often combined with Emsella for skill-based training plus device-augmented strengthening. Pessaries can support the urethra or prolapse in stress leakage. Medications may help urgency and frequency in urge or mixed incontinence. Surgical options exist for refractory stress incontinence or significant anatomic defects. Combination pathways are common, for example:

  • Emsella series plus guided pelvic floor therapy, with home exercises to maintain strength.
  • EmFemme 360 for tissue support in mild stress leakage and menopause-related dryness, together with lifestyle and bladder training.
  • MonaLisa Touch or localized therapies for genitourinary syndrome of menopause when dryness or discomfort is prominent, coordinated with EmFemme or Emsella when appropriate.

To explore conservative therapy locally, see our page on pelvic floor therapy in Palo Alto for coordinated referrals and guidance.

What is included in care at our practice

A typical treatment package includes:

  • Comprehensive evaluation by a board-certified OB-GYN, including history, pelvic exam when indicated, and review of goals.
  • Personalized plan for stress, urge, or mixed leakage, which may blend EmFemme, Emsella, pelvic floor therapy, and lifestyle strategies.
  • Device sessions delivered on a consistent schedule with clear expectations about sensations, timelines, and aftercare.
  • Progress tracking at set intervals with adjustments as needed.

What may be billed to insurance vs self-pay:

  • Often billable: diagnostic visits and examinations, screening or diagnostic labs and cultures, imaging when indicated, and referrals to pelvic floor physical therapy.
  • Typically self-pay: EmFemme 360 and Emsella device sessions as aesthetic or energy-based therapies. We provide invoices and documentation to support patients who wish to pursue reimbursement attempts.

Bay Area pricing and payment

Pricing varies by series length, device combination, and maintenance. As a general Bay Area range, patients often invest:

  • Emsella: commonly packaged as a six-session series; local market pricing often ranges from the mid four hundreds per session equivalent when bundled to package-level pricing that can reach the low to mid thousands for a full series.
  • EmFemme 360: typically a three-session series; local market pricing often ranges from the high hundreds per session equivalent when bundled to low thousands for a complete series.

Exact quotes are provided after evaluation. Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) can often be used for eligible medical expenses; we supply itemized documentation upon request. Coverage rules vary by plan and administrator.

Insurance coverage today

Current insurance coverage for in-office incontinence devices is limited and variable. Diagnostic evaluation, labs, and physical therapy referrals are more commonly covered. EmFemme and Emsella sessions are typically self-pay. Patients sometimes use HSA or FSA funds if their plan permits. Our team provides detailed receipts and medical documentation to support pre-tax payment or reimbursement attempts, but approval is not guaranteed.

Our clinical leadership and technologies

Care is led by Barbi Phelps-Sandall, MD, board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, former chair of OB/GYN at El Camino Hospital, with extensive experience in device-based pelvic health and intimate wellness. Our state-of-the-art portfolio includes MonaLisa Touch, EmFemme 360, Emsella, TempSure, PicoSure, Potenza RF microneedling, EMsculpt Neo, Vectus laser hair removal, and EmFace, allowing individualized, evidence-informed care.

If you are seeking a trusted Palo Alto OB-GYN presence with advanced options, learn more about our regional services and care approach on our Palo Alto OB-GYN page. For those interested in a membership model with expedited access, review our concierge services to understand benefits and enrollment steps.

Frequently asked questions

  • How many sessions are typically needed and how long do results last? EmFemme is usually three sessions about a week apart. Emsella is commonly six sessions over three weeks. Improvements often begin during the series and build over 2 to 3 months, with maintenance customized to symptom trends.
  • Are EmFemme and Emsella covered by insurance? Device sessions are typically self-pay. Diagnostic visits, labs, and physical therapy referrals may be covered. We provide documentation for HSA, FSA, and reimbursement attempts when applicable.
  • What are the risks or drawbacks? No incisions and no downtime. Temporary pelvic soreness or heightened muscle awareness can occur. These treatments are not a substitute for surgery when significant anatomic defects are present.
  • Can EmFemme or Emsella be combined with pelvic floor therapy or other treatments? Yes. Combination plans are common and often provide the best outcomes, especially for mixed incontinence or long-standing pelvic floor weakness.
  • Who is not a candidate? Contraindications include pregnancy, active infection, implanted electronic devices that are not compatible, and uncontrolled bleeding disorders. Candidacy is confirmed during your consultation.

Gentle next steps

Relief is achievable. Schedule a complimentary technology consult to see whether EmFemme, Emsella, or a combined pathway fits your goals, and consider joining our newsletter for patient education and updates on women’s pelvic health.

Contact Renaissance Healthcare for Women Phone: (650) 988-7830 Fax: (650) 966-9207 Address: Sobrato Pavilion, 2495 Hospital Drive, Suite 515, Mountain View, CA 94040

Internal links for more information:

Scroll to Top