These are the common questions about EMfemme 360, grouped by topic. Where an answer depends on your symptoms, the doctor's examination at the free consultation is where it is settled; call 0207 043 8130 or use the form below.
What it is
What is EMfemme 360?
A radiofrequency applicator made by BTL that warms the vaginal tissue to 40 to 45°C for eight minutes, inside the canal and, if chosen, outside over the labia, with a single-use tip. BTL's account is that the controlled heat stimulates collagen production and improves vaginal laxity, labial laxity and sexual dysfunction. The how it works page explains.
Does EMfemme 360 work?
For discomfort and dryness with intercourse after the menopause, the one published EMfemme 360 study is encouraging: in 35 women, pain on intercourse was gone in 29 after three sessions, and the vaginal health score more than doubled. It was small, had no comparison group and followed women for two months. For laxity after childbirth, the manufacturer's stated purpose, no EMfemme 360 study has measured the result, and we say so.
Is EMfemme 360 FDA approved?
No. The applicator is FDA-cleared in the US, a clearance rather than an approval, to heat tissue for the temporary relief of pain and muscle spasm and an increase in local circulation. No US clearance names a vaginal or intimate use, and the US regulator said in 2018 that it had cleared no energy-based device for menopause symptoms, incontinence or sexual function. BTL's stated purpose for the UK is sexual dysfunction after vaginal delivery, through improved vaginal laxity.
Sessions and results
How many sessions do I need?
Three, about a week apart in our practice, each eight minutes of treatment inside a 30-minute appointment, with a review at six months. The one published EMfemme 360 study used three sessions a month apart; the manufacturer publishes no course of its own.
How long do the results last?
Nobody has published the answer for EMfemme 360: the one study measured two months after the course and its authors say that is too short to tell. One trial of another maker's radiofrequency device held a laxity result to twelve months. We review you at six months and plan the next step together.
When will I notice a change?
In the published study the scores were taken two months after the third session; in our experience women notice a change in dryness and comfort within the course, with the full change at the review. The study's authors did not measure earlier.
Does EMfemme 360 hurt?
Most women describe warmth, and the practitioner turns the energy down if you ask. In the published study 98% reported mild or no discomfort at their last session. At the first session women with severe tissue thinning had discomfort and some bleeding, and in our practice the doctor starts the first session low where the tissue is fragile.
Is there any downtime?
You dress and leave, and most women go back to their day. In our practice we advise no intercourse, tampons or baths for 24 to 48 hours. A watery discharge, bleeding, itching or burning for a day or two is common after a session.
What are the side effects?
In the published study, mostly after the first session and gone in one to two days: watery discharge in 70%, bleeding in 50%, itching at the entrance in 45%, burning in 30%, pain on passing urine in 20%. No complication or serious side effect was reported. The US regulator's 2018 warning on energy-based vaginal devices in general names burns, scarring, pain during intercourse and lasting pain, which is why the doctor examines you first and the console holds the temperature in range.
Childbirth, the menopause and leaks
Does EMfemme 360 help after childbirth?
Laxity after vaginal delivery is the manufacturer's stated UK purpose, and in our practice it is offered after pelvic floor training has been done. No EMfemme 360 study has measured laxity; one trial of another maker's device found laxity better than a sham (dummy) treatment to a year. The childbirth page explains.
Does EMfemme 360 help with menopause dryness or painful sex?
This is where the one EMfemme 360 study was done: 35 postmenopausal women with severe pain on intercourse, gone in 29 after three sessions. NICE puts vaginal oestrogen first, and we treat beside it or after it. The menopause page explains.
Is EMfemme 360 a hormone-free alternative to HRT?
It is hormone-free, and it is not an alternative to HRT: it treats the vaginal tissue only and does nothing for hot flushes, sleep or bone. For vaginal symptoms, NICE puts vaginal oestrogen first; EMfemme 360 is for women who cannot or would rather not use it, or who want more alongside it, and the doctor discusses both.
Does EMfemme 360 treat incontinence?
EMfemme 360 is not our treatment for leaks, and no clearance names incontinence. For leaks we provide the Emsella chair at the same address, after a bladder assessment and pelvic floor training. The EMfemme 360 or Emsella page explains. The bladder leaks page sets out what the EMfemme 360 studies noted and how the two are planned together.
EMfemme 360 or Emsella?
They treat different things. EMfemme 360 warms the vaginal tissue with radiofrequency for laxity, dryness and discomfort with intercourse. The Emsella chair contracts the pelvic floor muscles with electromagnetic energy for urinary leaks, and is FDA-cleared in the US for incontinence. Leaks are Emsella; tissue is EMfemme 360; some women need both, and we provide Emsella at the same address.
Does EMfemme 360 treat the labia or the outside?
Yes. We offer the external protocol the manufacturer's clinical guide describes, for labial laxity as the manufacturer describes it. It covers the labia, the vaginal opening and the perineum (the skin between the vagina and the back passage), three to five minutes a zone. No EMfemme 360 study has measured that result. The labia page explains.
Who it suits
Who should not have EMfemme 360?
Anyone pregnant, breastfeeding or in IVF treatment, or with a metal coil or any metal implant in the area, or a pacemaker or other electrical implant. The same applies to a current or past cancer, an infection or inflammation in the area, or a sexually transmitted infection. It also applies to surgery in the area within three months, a bleeding disorder or blood thinners, a prolapse beyond the entrance, or uncontrolled diabetes. In our practice we also wait for unexplained bleeding, thrush or a urinary infection to be seen, for a period to pass, for anyone trying to conceive, and for overdue cervical screening to be done. The doctor goes through the full list with you.
Can I have it with a coil?
A copper coil or any metal coil rules it out, because the manufacturer's registered trial excluded metal coils. A hormonal coil is discussed with the doctor, who checks what it contains before any treatment.
Will a woman deliver the treatment?
A female practitioner can deliver the treatment if you ask, and the doctor who examines you first is the one who sets your plan.
Not sure you are suitable? Ask the clinician, it is free
Booking and the clinic
Is the clinic doctor led?
The clinic is doctor led and CQC registered. A doctor examines you before any treatment, and every session is run by a trained practitioner on a genuine BTL EMfemme 360 applicator with a new single-use tip every session.
Where is the clinic and how do I book?
EMfemme 360 London, 8 Devonshire Place, London W1G 6HP, in the Harley Street medical district, a five-minute walk from Regent's Park station. Call 0207 043 8130 during opening hours (Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday 9am to 6pm) or use the form on any page at any time and we call you back. The clinic page has directions and parking.
