Causes, Evaluation & Advanced Treatment Options
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Including EMSELLA® Pelvic Floor Therapy at Soourology in Sault Ste. Marie
Urinary incontinence is a common medical condition affecting approximately 10% of the Canadian population, impacting daily activities, confidence, and overall quality of life. While often underreported, urinary incontinence is highly treatable with proper evaluation and evidence-based care.
At Soourology, our urology specialists in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario provide comprehensive assessment and treatment for urinary incontinence — including non-invasive therapies such as EMSELLA®, alongside medical and surgical options when appropriate.
Types of Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is categorized into several types, each with distinct causes and treatment approaches:
- Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI): Leakage during physical activity, coughing, sneezing, or laughing
- Urge Urinary Incontinence (UUI): Sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by leakage
- Mixed Urinary Incontinence (MUI): Combination of stress and urge incontinence
- Total or Continuous Incontinence: Constant leakage
- Overflow Incontinence: Incomplete bladder emptying causing overflow
- Functional Incontinence: Related to physical or cognitive limitations
- Post-Micturition Leakage: Leakage after urination
Understanding the specific type of incontinence is essential for selecting the most effective treatment.
Causes & Evaluation of Urinary Incontinence
A thorough medical evaluation is essential to identify the underlying cause and rule out serious conditions.
Evaluation at Soourology may include:
- Medical history: Detailed review of urinary habits, lifestyle factors, and symptoms
- Physical examination: Abdominal, pelvic (for women), neurological, and digital rectal exam (for men)
- Diagnostic testing:
- Urinalysis
- 3-day voiding diary
- Validated questionnaires (e.g., International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire)
- Uroflowmetry and post-void residual measurements
- Cystoscopy or urodynamic studies in complex cases
It is crucial to exclude conditions such as vaginal atrophy, recurrent UTIs, bladder stones, fistulas, or malignancy, which may contribute to incontinence.
EMSELLA®: Non-Invasive Pelvic Floor Therapy
EMSELLA® is a high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM®) therapy designed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles through thousands of supramaximal contractions in a single session. EMSELLA is particularly effective for mild to moderate stress and mixed urinary incontinence, and for patients who have not achieved sufficient improvement with pelvic floor exercises alone.
Fully clothed treatment
No internal devices or probes
No anesthesia or downtime
28-minute
sessions
Clinically
proven
EMSELLA Treatment at Soourology
At Soourology, EMSELLA is offered as part of a urology-led treatment plan, not as a cosmetic or wellness service.
What to expect:
- Good for both male and female patients
- Individualized urological assessment
- Typically 6 sessions over 3 weeks
- Progressive improvement often noticed after the first few treatments
- Continued improvement following completion of therapy
EMSELLA can be used alone or alongside other treatments, depending on symptom severity and patient goals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Urinary Incontinence
What are the first signs of urinary incontinence?
Early signs include urine leakage during exercise, coughing, or sneezing, as well as sudden urges to urinate. If symptoms affect your daily life or worsen, medical evaluation is recommended.
Are non-surgical treatments like EMSELLA effective?
Yes. Non-invasive treatments such as EMSELLA have demonstrated significant improvement in pelvic floor strength and continence, particularly in mild to moderate cases.
Who is a good candidate for EMSELLA® treatment?
EMSELLA may be suitable for men and women experiencing mild to moderate urinary incontinence, pelvic floor weakness, or loss of bladder control related to aging, childbirth, menopause, or prostate surgery. A urology consultation is required to determine if EMSELLA is appropriate for your specific condition.
Can EMSELLA help if I’ve already tried pelvic floor exercises?
Yes. Many patients struggle to properly activate or strengthen pelvic floor muscles with exercises alone. EMSELLA induces thousands of supramaximal contractions in one session, often producing stronger and more consistent results than voluntary exercises.
Is EMSELLA painful?
No. EMSELLA is generally well tolerated. Patients typically feel strong muscle contractions and a tingling sensation, but treatment should not be painful. Intensity can be adjusted for comfort.
Are there any side effects after EMSELLA treatment?
Side effects are minimal. Some patients may experience temporary muscle soreness or fatigue similar to after a workout. Normal activities can be resumed immediately.
Book a Urology Consultation in Sault Ste. Marie
Urinary incontinence is common — but it should never be considered “normal” or untreatable. At Soourology, we offer discreet, evidence-based care and access to advanced therapies like EMSELLA®, delivered by experienced urology professionals.
Medical expertise. Modern solutions. Personalized care.
Take the first step toward improved bladder control and pelvic health.