Safety Considerations for Home Treatments

 Let’s start with considerations for the use of TENS ‘ankle treatment’ called TTNS (Transcutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation).

When not to use it:

• If you have a certain type of cardiac pacemaker. Check with your doctor before using TTNS

• During pregnancy

• If you experience epilepsy

• If there is any metal in your ankle or open ankle wounds

Side effects are minimal and short lived:

• Cramping

• Skin irritation under the adhesive electrodes

• Occasionally feeling faint

• Pain in the foot

Moving on to safety considerations for using muscle stimulation NMES (Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation) for the pelvic floor muscles with a vaginal electrode

When not to use it under the following circumstances:

• You have a certain type of cardiac pacemaker. Check with your doctor before using NMES

• During pregnancy

• If you have epilepsy

• Are experiencing undiagnosed pain

• Have undiagnosed skin, vaginal or anal conditions

• On anaesthetised or desensitised skin

• Recent cervical smear tests have been abnormal and you’re being monitored or receiving treatment 

• There is any active disease in the area

• There is tissue damage in the area. It’s important to wait until the tissue is completely healed

• You have a urinary tract infection or vaginal infection

• You’re unsure about the appropriateness of the treatment seek advice from your doctor or health care professional

• If you have reduced mental capacity, are unable to physically handle the device or understand the directions about how to set it up and use it appropriately  

Always read the manufacturer's guidelines before using any device. 

Side Effects:

• Post treatment muscle ache which may occur if the device has been used as ‘training tool’ for the pelvic floor muscles. The advice would be to reduce the treatment time and follow the guidelines set out in the DIY Home Treatment video

• Discomfort during the treatment may be caused by poor contact between the vaginal probe and the muscle. Ensure you use a type of lubricant suggested by the manufacturer.

Vaginal Muscle Stimulation – Safety Notes

All the safety considerations for using muscle stimulation NMES (Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation) obviously apply but let’s just consider a few points around the use of the vaginal electrode you have chosen. 

DIY videos have used the Periform as our example:

• The metal surface of the plastic Periform is composed of medical grade stainless steel

• Check the surface has not been damaged before use

• The metal does contain a tiny amount of nickel. If you’re supersensitive to nickel, then prolonged contact may cause irritation. However because the probe is used for such a short time during vaginal muscle stimulation it does not usually cause any problems

• Again it’s not a common problem but check you’re not sensitive to the lubricating gel too

• If cared for in line with the manufacturer's guidelines the lifetime of the probe is around two years

• The device is ergonomically designed, and most women do not have a problem easily inserting it into the correct position. However if your vagina is small then you may need to consider an alternative such as the ‘Anuform’. This electrode has been designed for insertion into the anus and is smaller and narrower than the Periform

• Be aware of the condition of your vaginal tissues as they can become thinner and more fragile with reduced oestrogen levels. This sometimes means electrode insertion and use of muscle stimulation may be more uncomfortable. Seek advice from your GP or health care professional about suitable topical hormone or vaginal moisturising treatment options  

Always read the manufacturer's guidelines before using any vaginal electrode.