clinic 21

Urinary incontinence is the accidental loss of urine. It is a very common condition that affects millions of women across the UK, and it becomes more likely after pregnancy and childbirth, during menopause and as we get older. Symptoms include leaking when you cough, sneeze, laugh or exercise, a sudden urge to urinate, frequent urination and waking several times a night to empty your bladder. Understanding the different types of incontinence helps you choose the right treatment plan.

• Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the most common type in women. Weak pelvic floor muscles cannot keep the urethral sphincter closed under pressure, so urine escapes when you cough, sneeze, laugh, lift or run.
• Urge incontinence and overactive bladder cause a sudden, intense urge to urinate. The bladder muscles contract when they should not, and you may struggle to reach the toilet in time.
• Mixed incontinence is a combination of both stress and urge symptoms, and it is very common.

What Causes Incontinence in Women?

Female urinary incontinence can develop for a variety of factors, but weak pelvic floor muscles are the common thread. Pregnancy and childbirth stretch the pelvic floor muscle and the tissues that support the bladder neck. Menopause brings a loss of collagen, lowering the natural collagen levels that keep the urethra and bladder neck supported. Pelvic organ prolapse, being overweight, a long term cough, high impact exercise and simple ageing all add to the strain. Repeated urinary tract infections can also trigger or worsen bladder symptoms, which is why new or sudden incontinence should always be checked by your GP first.

The EMSELLA Chair: Non-Surgical Incontinence Treatment

The EMSELLA chair is a revolutionary new procedure for treating female incontinence, developed by BTL and cleared by the American FDA for strengthening the pelvic floor. It uses HIFEM technology (high intensity focused electromagnetic energy) to stimulate the pelvic muscles far more deeply than voluntary exercise can, and it is used to treat stress, urge and mixed incontinence.

You simply sit on the chair, fully clothed. Each procedure takes 28 minutes and delivers around 11,000 supramaximal pelvic floor contractions, the equivalent of thousands of kegel exercises, performed perfectly, without any effort on your part. Over a course of treatment this rebuilds muscle strength and restores control of your bladder.

What to Expect at Clinic 21

Everything starts with a free, confidential consultation at our Glasgow clinic. We will talk through your symptoms, your medical history and your goals, and confirm the EMSELLA chair is suitable for you before any private treatment begins.

A full course is six sessions, taken twice a week over three weeks. During each 28 minute procedure you will feel tingling and strong pulling sensations as your pelvic floor contracts. It is a strange feeling at first, but it is not painful, and you can read or relax while the chair does the work. There is no downtime at all, so you can drive home, return to work or pick up the kids straight afterwards.

How Well Does It Work?

EMSELLA is supported by clinical studies across thousands of patients. In published research, 95 percent of patients reported satisfaction with their results, 87 percent reduced or completely stopped using incontinence pads, and symptom improvement was still measured six months after treatment. HIFEM treatment has also been reported to be around three times more effective than electrical stimulation of the pelvic floor.

Many women notice their leaks reducing after only two or three sessions, with results continuing to build for several weeks after the course finishes. Improvements typically last six to twelve months, and single maintenance sessions can keep your bladder control topped up. As with any medical treatment, results vary from person to person.

Who Is EMSELLA Suitable For?

EMSELLA suits women of almost any age. We treat new mums rebuilding their core strength after pregnancy and childbirth, women managing changes brought on by menopause, and older women who have quietly put up with incontinence issues for decades. It is equally useful if you want to prevent problems before they start, or if pelvic floor exercises alone have not been enough.

The treatment is not suitable during pregnancy, or if you have a copper coil, a pacemaker or defibrillator, or metal implants such as a hip replacement. We will confirm your suitability at your consultation.

Other Treatment Options for Female Incontinence

EMSELLA is not the only option, and the best treatment depends on your symptoms. Pelvic floor exercises taught by a specialist physiotherapist remain the standard first step, alongside Pilates for core strength, bladder retraining and lifestyle changes such as losing weight and cutting caffeine. Your GP can rule out infection, prescribe medicines for an overactive bladder or fit a pessary for prolapse. Surgery is normally a last resort.

Where the EMSELLA chair stands out is effort and access. It strengthens the pelvic floor without months of daily exercises, there is no referral or waiting list, and it works well alongside physiotherapy rather than replacing it. Specialist pelvic health physiotherapy can also help with bowel symptoms, so the two approaches often go hand in hand.

Why Choose Clinic 21 Glasgow?

Clinic 21 is a small, independent clinic with over 20 years of experience in the industry, with the privacy of a dedicated women’s clinic without the hospital feel. You will see the same friendly face, Karen, the Clinic’s owner, at every visit, your questions will never be rushed, and nobody will judge you for talking about leaks. We are based at 21 Rutland Place, Kinning Park, G51 1TA, just off the M8 on the south side of the river, with free parking right outside the door.

EMSELLA Glasgow Prices

Your initial consultation is free. A single EMSELLA session costs £150 per session, and a full course of six sessions is the discounted price of £600.

Maintenance sessions are £100. We will always agree your treatment plan and total cost with you before we begin, with no pressure and no hidden extras.

Female Incontinence Treatment FAQs

What is the best treatment for female incontinence?

It depends on the type and cause of your incontinence. For stress and mixed incontinence, strengthening the pelvic floor gives the best results for most women, either through supervised exercises or effortlessly with the EMSELLA chair. Urge symptoms often respond to bladder retraining and medication. A consultation will help you find the right treatment options for you.

What can a GP do for incontinence?

Your GP can rule out urinary tract infections, review your medicines, prescribe treatment for an overactive bladder and refer you to NHS physiotherapy or a bladder and bowel service. You do not need a GP referral for EMSELLA treatment at Clinic 21, although we always recommend seeing your GP about new symptoms.

Is the EMSELLA chair safe?

Yes. EMSELLA is FDA cleared and has been used safely in clinics worldwide since 2018. Side effects are rare and mild, usually no more than temporary muscle ache or tingling, similar to the feeling after a good workout.

Does the treatment hurt?

No. You will feel strong tingling and contractions in your pelvic floor while you sit on the chair, which most women describe as unusual rather than uncomfortable.

How many sessions will I need?

The recommended course is six sessions over three weeks. Many women feel a difference after two or three.

How long do the results last?

Most women enjoy their results for six to twelve months. Occasional maintenance sessions help the improvement remain effective for longer.

I am in my seventies. Is it too late to treat incontinence?

Not at all. EMSELLA is suitable for older women, and studies include patients well into their seventies and eighties. Provided you have no contraindications such as a pacemaker or hip replacement, age is no barrier to better bladder control.