In recent years, it seems that radiofrequency technology has taken center stage when it comes to skin care, but as science has continued to evolve, the role of radiofrequency devices for treating an array of non skin-related conditions has also began rising to prevalence. You’ve probably seen videos of radiofrequency-based devices that tone the muscles in the abdomen, buttocks, face and more, but just recently, a new type of radiofrequency device has entered the market, this time for strengthening the pelvic floor muscles.
InMode’s EmpowerRF is a groundbreaking, intravaginal radiofrequency device that strengthens the muscles of the pelvic floor and addresses an array of conditions from stress, urge and mixed urinary incontinence—of which 1 in 3 women suffer from—to blood circulation, pain relief and even increased pleasure signals.
EmpowerRF features several key technologies like Tone, which restores the strength of the abdomen muscles through electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), VTone which is an intravaginal technology that uses EMS to tighten and tone the pelvic floor, FormaV which delivers deep heating for tissue remodeling and improvements in blood circulation and muscle relief pain, and Morpheus8V which features bipolar radiofrequency technology for fractional tissue coagulation.
While the idea of utilizing radiofrequency technology in the vagina can sound scary, the process is relatively pain-free and the results are life-changing. Ahead, board-certified urologic surgeon, Dr. Lanna Cheuck explains just what EmpowerRF is, how it works and who it is best for.
Who is EmpowerRF best for?
“EmpowerRF is a device that can help women of any age with various genitourinary wellness and aesthetic concerns,” Dr. Cheuck begins, “It can help pre- and post-partum women, women who are experiencing symptoms of menopause or anything in between. It can also help women who want to strengthen and prevent future pelvic-floor issues prior to pregnancy, as one of the modalities, V-Tone, helps to stimulate muscles and contract the pelvic floor, essentially simulating kegel exercises for you. With its seven modalities, EmpowerRF targets concerns such as aging issues, low blood flow and sensitivity, pain sensation and weakening of the muscles, vaginal dryness, urinary incontinence and more.
1 in 3 women experience urinary incontinence, up to 76 percent of women experience decreased vaginal sensation, and sexual dysfunction affects about 50 percent of postmenopausal women. All of these women have an opportunity to have their symptoms treated by EmpowerRF. But, its capabilities don’t end at sexual health. We can also perform Morpheus8 microneedling on the face and body and muscle stimulation with Tone to help address diastasis rectus—the separation of the rectus abdominus muscle during pregnancy.”
When do you recommend patients get EmpowerRF?
“My recommendation, as a board-certified urologic surgeon, is dependent on my patient’s full history and physical evaluation as well as lab work, diagnostic tests as needed, and a discussion about their goals. Then, I can stratify them into someone ranging from mild genital urinary symptoms to moderate or severe. In conjunction with their sexual and urinary health concerns and their goals, we put together a treatment plan that’s customized and unique to the individual. I do advise my patients to get the V-Tone with EMS technology even as a preventative measure akin to working out and strengthening your pelvic floor muscles to prevent urinary leakage and incontinence.
Overall, we usually have patients come to see us after their first birth when they start to have concerns, but we can treat them prior to their next pregnancy. Sometimes if you wait too long, symptoms becomes more severe and minimally invasive treatment options are no longer ideal. It is best to always to start before the condition gets worse because, ultimately, if your condition worsens then you may need surgical correction as opposed to these noninvasive procedures. Some urologists actually advocate for doing Morpehus8V or FormaV with V-Tone prior to surgery because it helps the vaginal tissues get healthier to improve healing time, decreasing downtime.”
Why do you recommend EmpowerRF? Why is this such an innovative technology?
“As a urologist and post-partum mother of two children, I recommend EmpowerRF because previous options for treating such symptoms were so limited. These symptoms impact women’s quality of life; in fact 25-30 precent of women experience moderate to severe symptoms in regards to urinary and sexual-health issues. This technology is so innovative because of how the modalities target different issues and can be used in tandem with one another for optimal results. It’s the only platform that addresses women’s sexual health, urinary and aesthetic concerns across its seven different modalities. It is also the only RF microneedling device that’s intravaginal. It is a non-hormonal, intravaginal treatment that is registered as a therapeutic device for the treatment of sexual dysfunction or as an adjunct to kegel exercises and cleared for temporary improvements in blood circulation, muscle pain relief and muscle relaxation.
Can you break down the different EmpowerRF modalities?
“Morpheus8V is a fast and effective radiofrequency technology that provides intravaginal tissue remodeling. Morpheus8V rejuvenates the vagina to improve sexual drive, comfort and enjoyment and to restore a youthful appearance to the vaginal area. On the other hand, Morpheus8 is a fractional treatment promoting tissue remodeling. In other words, it is proven to reduce wrinkles and rebuild collagen. The treatment can be customized to treat any part of the vulva or mons pubis.
VTone is a small, anatomically shaped applicator that delivers intravaginal electrical muscle stimulation to rehabilitate weak pelvic floor muscles, thus treating stress, urge, and mixed urinary incontinence. Under doctor supervision and treatment with VTone, you can achieve life-changing results.
Aviva is a minimally invasive procedure that restores the function and appearance of the vulva by offering a non-excisional alternative to a labiaplasty, meaning no scalpel and no incisions. This is the smallest skin-tightening technology available, specifically designed for treating the delicate, external female reproductive tissues.
Tone is a noninvasive solution designed specifically to increase muscle strength. It is a nonsurgical procedure that will enhance the shape and tone of the body using electrical muscle stimulation. Evolve Tone is recommended for patients who are looking for a noninvasive treatment to tone muscles and address areas that require definition. Evolve Tone stimulates muscle contractions to target specific muscle groups and is a safe and effective procedure that can be done on a lunch break.”
