RS-48 General FAQ

Q. What does the levina Pelvic Floor Muscle Electrical Stimulator package include?  

• Remote controller x1
• Electrical stimulator (dual-channel) x1
• Magnetic electrode pads (large butterfly & circular)  x 2
• Magnetic clip x1
• Sterilizable probes (vaginal & anal) x1
• USB C charging cable x1
• User manual x1
• Carry Case x1

Q. Why does the levina Pelvic Floor Muscle Electrical Stimulator have two channels?

To allow you to use electrical stimulation in different scenarios. Channel A (magnetic snap under the electrical stimulator) is primarily used for connecting skin electrodes. Channel B (USB connector port) is mainly used to connect electrode wires for vaginal or anal probes or skin electrodes. We also provide a range of electrode, vaginal, and anal probe connection methods in the manual.

Q. How long does the battery included with my levina last?

The levina comes with a rechargeable lithium battery. A fully charged stimulator can last for approximately 10-12 sessions. It can be quickly charged via a USB charger from your phone or laptop. It takes about 45-60 minutes to fully charge.

Q. Can I carry my levina in my carry-on luggage when flying?      

Yes, you can. Similar to carrying a phone or laptop (products with lithium batteries), it can be carried with you and stored separately during the flight. The levina Pelvic Floor Muscle Electrical Stimulator is a registered medical device and has passed lithium battery transportation and testing related safety certifications such as UN38.3.

Q. Do I need a prescription for levina?  

levina is FDA and TFDA approved, so no prescription is required to use it.

Q. Does it feel like doing Kegel exercises?     

Some women find that using the levina Pelvic Floor Muscle Electrical Stimulator is similar to doing Kegel exercises, but not exactly the same. Research has shown that about 20-30% of women do Kegel exercises incorrectly, either contracting the wrong muscles or not maintaining the contraction for long enough due to muscle weakness, resulting in ineffective results. Using the levina in conjunction with Kegel exercises provides longer training times and greater intensity than doing them alone. Pelvic floor muscle electrical stimulation also targets the muscles around the urethra. Stimulating for urgency (overactive bladder) is part of neurological control and doesn't feel like Kegel exercises.

Q. Do I need pelvic floor muscle training?     

Pelvic floor muscles, like other skeletal muscles, begin to atrophy without timely exercise. Pelvic floor muscle exercises or Kegel exercises can help control bladder, bowel, and gas, as well as add 'vitality' to your love life! Therefore, pelvic floor maintenance is essential, but we are not taught how to properly care for it. Accurately locating pelvic floor muscles can be difficult, and 'performing Kegel exercises incorrectly' can actually do more harm than good. The levina Pelvic Floor Muscle Electrical Stimulator will help you: accurately locate pelvic floor muscles, maximize the effectiveness of your Kegel exercises, strengthen pelvic floor muscles correctly and effectively with a clinically based training plan to achieve optimal results, and maintain control over the bladder and bowel for pelvic floor health.

Q. How does it feel to use the levina Pelvic Floor Muscle Electrical Stimulator? 

Using the levina Pelvic Floor Muscle Electrical Stimulator, you can wirelessly control the intensity at any time. Inside your body, your pelvic floor muscles will feel intermittent contractions and relaxations. During training, this can repeat 50-100 times depending on the mode. After a few minutes of treatment, your muscles may feel a bit fatigued, which is normal. The levina Pelvic Floor Muscle Electrical Stimulator can safely and comfortably send signals through electrodes to reach the muscles and train the pelvic floor muscles to improve incontinence issues. This is based on a clinically proven pelvic floor muscle training method called neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). The device's signals are similar to the electrical currents the brain uses to tell muscles to contract. For urgency incontinence or overactive bladder, it is based on directly stimulating the nerves around the bladder or the tibial nerve on the inner side of the ankle for neural control. At this time, you may feel pulsations, but the muscles won't feel tense.

Q. Are there any side effects?

The levina Pelvic Floor Muscle Electrical Stimulator is FDA approved for female pelvic floor health care and incontinence control, indicating it's found to be both safe and effective. The most common side effects are skin irritation and muscle fatigue, which occur more frequently when the device is used beyond the recommended duration. Typically, these can be resolved by discontinuing therapy for a few days. When you receive the product, be sure to carefully read the user manual. It explains proper operation and how to avoid misuse. For a full list of contraindications, please refer to the user manual."

Q. How do I use it? 

The levina Pelvic Floor Muscle Electrical Stimulator can be used discreetly in the comfort of your home. If using probes, connect them to the stimulator, clip the stimulator to the edge of your clothing, apply lubricant to the probe, and gently insert it into the vagina. Then use the remote controller for control. Long press the MENU button to power on and select the appropriate program. During treatment, you can start exercising in a sitting or lying position.

Q. How long until I see results?     

Results vary for each individual. With the levina Pelvic Floor Muscle Electrical Stimulator, we recommend exercising at least once or twice a day for 8-12 weeks. Through daily exercises, you can help weak pelvic floor muscles regain strength and improve sensation, but it usually takes about 2 weeks to truly start noticing differences. Clinical evidence shows that besides exercise, there are other things that can help you achieve better results. For example: improving posture, supplementing with vitamins, and losing weight will greatly enhance the results you can achieve. You need to feel progress so you don't get discouraged and give up! Many women happily report that their partners even notice improvements before they do, which is always a huge motivator to keep exercising. The primary reason Kegel exercises fail is either we don't feel they're effective or we give up too early. If you're ready for 8-12 weeks of daily exercise, you'll be amazed at the improvements in pelvic floor strength, control, and sensation.

Q. Will this improve my sex life?   

We're often asked this question. A stronger pelvic floor often leads to better sexual sensation or arousal. While we can't make any specific claims about the levina Pelvic Floor Electrical Stimulation, many customers and their partners start noticing some differences after training.

Q. How often can I use it? Will I get faster results if I use it more frequently?     

We recommend starting with once a day for at least 8-12 weeks. Some users, eager to see quick results, may wish to use it twice a day in this case, you may want to perform twice a day, but with at least a 4-5 hour interval to minimize fatigue of the pelvic floor muscles. If you find symptoms worsening, it indicates fatigue. In this case, your treatment time should be reduced; halve the planned time and exercise once a day or every other day. Your muscles will become stronger, but it must be a gradual process to achieve lasting effective results. Pain relief and relaxation treatments can be used whenever you need them.

Q. How can I know if it's effective?

Everyone is different, but you can observe the following changes to assess if your pelvic floor is getting stronger:

(1) Increased duration or frequency of voluntary contractions.

(2) Improved ability to control sensations, such as transitioning from lying down to sitting during exercises.

(3) Decreased frequency or volume of urine leakage, and improved control over the speed of urination.

Every 2-3 weeks, you can test the strength of your pelvic floor muscles by stopping the flow of urine midstream. Try to control and slow down the flow of urine during urination. Initially, you may not be able to completely stop the flow, but you may notice that you can slow it down. This can serve as a benchmark for evaluation. Over the next few weeks, you should gradually notice improvement. It's important that this test not be performed too frequently, ideally every 2-3 weeks, as deliberately holding urine can lead to bladder issues.

Q. Can I just rely on pads for laughing leaks?

Many women have been there! You may notice that your pelvic floor feels weaker during certain times of the month, which can lead to more frequent leaks. But relying solely on pads isn't the ideal solution. Whether it's due to the joys of motherhood or the natural process of aging, laughter is something we all cherish. However, if leaks occur, it's your pelvic floor asking for attention. It won't miraculously improve on its own. Ignoring these signs can lead to regrets, especially if issues like prolapse persist. It's estimated that about half of women over 50 experience some form of prolapse. Leakage can be uncomfortable and distressing, with some women even facing fecal incontinence. These challenges can impact intimacy, confidence, and dignity, sometimes leading to a complete loss of intimacy. Taking charge with levina can help bring back your smile, making life healthier, cleaner, and potentially rekindling your intimate moments!

Q. Who can benefit from pelvic floor muscle stimulation?   

We often hear questions like, "Does it vibrate?" Unlike adult toys, pelvic floor muscle stimulators are an investment in your daily pelvic health and intimacy. Some might think, "I haven't had kids, and my sex life isn't active, so my pelvic floor should be strong, right?" Not necessarily! The less we use it, including during sex, the weaker our pelvic floor becomes unless we engage in targeted strengthening exercises (e.g., yoga, Pilates, Kegels, etc.). We've also found that some women may not want to use vaginal probes but still want the benefits of a strong pelvic floor. levina allows for external pelvic floor training through stimulation of the tibial nerve and sacral nerve. This has proven especially helpful for older women looking to regain bladder/bowel control. Incontinence is the second leading reason women enter nursing homes, and we all want to maintain independence and control for as long as possible. levina offers a clinically proven, dignified, and simple home pelvic floor training method suitable for all adult women, regardless of age.

Q. Do I need lubricant when using it?   

Yes, we recommend using water-based gel on the probe to ensure smooth insertion and optimal electrode contact for improved current flow. If you're postmenopausal and experiencing vaginal thinning or dryness, a course of estrogen cream may help. This can be obtained from your specialist and can alleviate vaginal dryness, discomfort, itching, and soreness. If you're using levina with skin electrodes externally, lubricant isn't necessary. However, to ensure longevity of your electrodes, we suggest avoiding contact with lotions and creams and storing the electrodes on transparent film in a cool place. Some users claim longer use by storing them in a cool place or rinsing them when they start to lose stickiness

Q. I just had a cervical smear test, and the result was abnormal. Can I use the levina pelvic floor muscle stimulator?

If you have vaginal inflammation or suspected inflammation, please wait until it resolves before using.

Q. If I have an implanted pacemaker, can I use the levina pelvic floor muscle stimulator?  

Pacemakers may be affected by electrical currents. levina pelvic floor muscle stimulator uses neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to trigger muscle contractions, so unless under medical guidance, use is prohibited.

Q. If I have a uterine sling to prevent prolapse, can I use the levina pelvic floor muscle stimulator?  

Yes, as long as there's enough space in your vagina for insertion and ensuring good contact between the electrode (metal) and the vaginal wall muscles. Alternatively, if you don't want or can't use a vaginal probe, you can use skin electrodes instead. This can stimulate the tibial nerve at the ankle or stimulate the sacral nerve at the base of the spine.

Q. What positions are best for pelvic floor exercises?  

We recommend starting in a reclined position with bent knees and legs together when using this product. This will help you get used to the training sensation and prevent the probe from slipping out. It's crucial to maintain contact between the probe and your pelvic floor muscles. If you don't have effective contact with the probe, you may find that the sensation of stimulation is not clear, indicating that your pelvic floor exercises are not as effective. When sitting with your legs together, such as when using your phone in bed, try lifting your knees to change the angle of your legs. Such changes alter the angle of the vagina, ensuring that different areas of the pelvic floor muscles are exercised while maintaining good contact with the probe. As you become more proficient, you may want to try standing or walking. You'll find that you can vary your position while exercising, making it perfect for multitasking during busy days. Associating the use of the pelvic floor muscle stimulator with your daily routine can remind you to exercise.

Q. I haven't completed the 8-12 week course, but my symptoms seem to be worsening. Is this normal? 

Some literature suggests that in the early stages of treatment, a small number of women may not experience significant improvement and may even experience worsening symptoms. However, continued strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles will gradually lead to improvement, so there's no need to worry excessively.

Q. How soon after childbirth can I start using it?  

It's not recommended to use pelvic floor electrical stimulation within the first 12 weeks after giving birth due to the body's weakness. However, we encourage you to engage in other pelvic floor exercises to aid in your recovery. It's advisable to wait until at least 12 weeks postpartum before considering use.

Q. Can I use it during pregnancy?  

No. Clinical guidelines advise against using any vaginal electrical stimulation devices during pregnancy.

Q. I've just had pelvic surgery, how soon can I start using it?       

Using levina after pelvic surgery can help speed up recovery. However, since every case is different, it's essential to consult your doctor first. Stress urinary incontinence and prolapse are often signs of a weakened pelvic floor. If you've had surgery to alleviate these conditions, your pelvic floor may still be weak, making levina pelvic floor training stimulator more necessary than ever.

Please note that if you're currently undergoing any treatment for pelvic cancer, using levina pelvic floor muscle electrical stimulation is prohibited. This is because cancer cells may proliferate under different influences, and there's currently no research on the effects of NMES on human cancer cells. Therefore, refrain from use unless under the guidance of a physician.

Q. Can I use it during my period?  

You can use levina during your period for menstrual pain management or pelvic floor training. However, if there's heavy bleeding, it's best to avoid using the vaginal probe until the flow lightens to reduce the risk of infection.

Q. How long do the effects last?    

Treatment outcomes vary from person to person. Most women notice a decrease in leakage after the initial 6 weeks of treatment. Once you've achieved your goals, we recommend regular maintenance. For some women, this may be several times a week, while for others, monthly sessions may suffice. Listen to your body and perform maintenance as needed.