Light Therapy and Vibration for Female Pelvic Health
One of our missions at Fringe is to create high quality, evidence-based light therapy products, and to make them readily accessible to consumers. Our goal is to help people heal from the conditions that commonly ail them – like arthritis, post-exercise muscle soreness, and eczema (just to name a few) – in the comfort of their own homes.
Recently, we turned our attention to some of the more common conditions affecting women and those born female at birth specifically: disorders of the female pelvis. Disorders related to female pelvic health (including pelvic floor pain and dysfunction, urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and vaginal infections) are incredibly common, affecting up to 50% of the population at some point in their lives.
ENTER, THE FRINGE PELVIC WAND
In response, we made the Fringe Pelvic Wand – which combines light therapy with vibration, two well-established healing modalities – which may support recovery from these challenging issues.
what is red light?
Light therapy (also known as photobiomodulation) is the application of light with specific wavelengths to the body for the purposes of influencing biology. The most common form of light therapy uses red light, which is visible as the color red, and/or near infrared light, which is not visible but can be felt as heat. Blue light is also used in many light therapy products, mainly for its antimicrobial effects.
Red, near infrared, and blue light are naturally produced by the sun, which gives off solar radiation. The term radiation describes energy that is transmitted in the form of waves or particles. The spectrum of light in our environment consists of both light we can see (visible light) and light that our eyes can’t perceive (invisible light). This is called the electromagnetic spectrum. The visible light spectrum is quite narrow, consisting of wavelengths that range from 400 to 700nm and span from violet to red in color. Blue and red light are part of this visible light spectrum, while near infrared light is not. Different colors of light have different depths of skin penetration, with red and near infrared light penetrating the deepest.
While early research on light therapy used primarily lasers, more recent research has found that LED’s can also be used, which also have the advantage of applying light to a larger area of the body as well as an improved safety profile. The use of LED in red/near infrared/blue light therapy devices has also greatly reduced the cost of treatment, making it something that can be done in the comfort of one’s own home. Both laser and LED lights have been used in research and practice to support pelvic health.
Light therapy delivers light at a measurable level of intensity, which can be generally classified as low, moderate, and high. The intensity of sunlight is between 20 and 40mW/cm2, which is described as the “sweet spot” between higher intensities, which can have harmful effects, and lower intensities, which will have no effect at all. This range is optimal for healing while minimizing adverse effects, and is the range used in the Fringe Pelvic Wand.
How might light therapy support female pelvic health?
Light therapy may have physiological effects related to female pelvic health, including:
Tissue Rejuvenation
Loss of connective tissue, such as collagen and elastin, in the female pelvis is commonly experienced by women as they age and can also occur because of childbirth and infections. Through its effects on mitochondria, light therapy (especially red and near infrared light) may increase cellular energy production and increase connective tissue production. Light therapy may also modulate the production of reactive oxygen species, causing a shift towards tissue rejuvenation rather than breakdown, and may support muscle strengthening.
Reduced Inflammation & Pain
Chronic pain is commonly associated with disorders of the pelvic floor, which may also be associated with pelvic inflammation. Light therapy (especially with red and near infrared light) may have powerful effects on inflammation. Studies have found that light therapy may affect levels of many molecules involved in inflammation, including reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, and prostaglandins.
Increased Blood Flow
A decrease in blood flow to tissues in the female pelvis, especially the vagina, occur with age. This loss of blood flow negatively affects tissues by reducing the supply of oxygen and nutrients and contributes to age associated changes such as vaginal atrophy. Light therapy (especially red and near infrared light) may increase blood flow in two ways. First, it may increase levels of nitric oxide through its effects on the mitochondria, which causes vasodilation. The dilation of blood vessels allows more blood to flow through. Second, it may increase angiogenesis, which is the synthesis of new blood vessels. A greater density of blood vessels may increase the delivery of blood to tissues.
Effects on Microorganisms
Infections with pathogenic microorganisms in the female pelvis are quite common, and include bacteria (such as chlamydia), fungi (such as candida), and viruses (such as HPV). The vagina also naturally hosts the vaginal microbiome, which has a balance of microorganisms. When imbalanced, susceptibility to infections and bacterial vaginosis is increased. Light may have effects on microorganisms, both pathogenic and non-pathogenic. Blue light may have powerful effects on pathogenic microbes that can infect the vagina, such as candida, while red light may have positive effects on the microbes that comprise the microbiome, including the vaginal microbiome.
Some clinical conditions related to female pelvic health that may improve with light therapy include:
What is vibration therapy?
Vibration therapy may have physiological effects related to female pelvic health, including:
Tissue Rejuvenation
- Vibration therapy may have many effects on cells associated with the structural integrity of the female pelvic. Collagen in particular may respond to vibration therapy, especially at low magnitudes, and both collagen and muscle formation respond well to low magnitude vibration at between 8 and 10Hz.
Increased Blood Flow
- Vibration therapy may increase blood flow, after as little as 10 minutes of therapy. Increasing blood flow helps to perfuse tissues with oxygen and nutrients and improve function and speed healing.
Muscle Tone Regulation
- While proper functioning of the pelvic floor muscles is integral to bowel, bladder, and sexual health, in many women these muscles are weak. Others experience chronic hypertonicity in muscles of the pelvic floor, which is also suboptimal. Vibration therapy may regulate muscle tone in two ways. First, it may decrease spasticity in muscles that are overactive. Second, it may improve the potential to voluntarily contract muscles, such as those of the pelvic floor, which are poorly controlled in between 30 and 50% of women, and in this way activate and strengthen the muscle. Muscle tone regulation is accomplished by activating muscles via a spinal reflex and increasing blood flow.
Decreased Pain
- Vibration therapy may reduce many different pain types, including neuropathic pain, low back pain, and muscle pain. This may happen via several mechanisms, such as regulating muscle tone and increasing blood flow.
Some clinical conditions related to female pelvic health that may improve with vibration therapy include
- Urinary incontinence
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Vulvodynia (a pelvic pain condition)
- Pelvic pain penetration disorder
- Sexual dysfunction
The Fringe Pelvic Wand
The Fringe Pelvic Wand delivers three wavelengths of light via three modes:
MODE ONE: delivers both red (630nm) and near infrared (830nm) light to the pelvic tissues. This mode may help with pelvic pain and inflammation; bladder and muscle health; optimizing the vaginal microbiome; increasing the production of collagen and elastin; and improving blood flow and tissue health. Use Mode 1 for deep pelvic rejuvenation if you are NOT sensitive to light or heat.
MODE TWO: delivers blue light (465nm) to the pelvic tissues. This mode may support the destruction of microbes including fungus and bacteria and healing from yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis.
MODE THREE: delivers only red (630nm) light to the pelvic tissues. This mode may help with pelvic pain and inflammation; bladder and muscle health; optimizing the vaginal microbiome; increasing the production of collagen and elastin; and improving blood flow and tissue health. Use Mode 3 for pelvic rejuvenation if you ARE sensitive to light or heat.
Mode 2 (blue light) can be combined sequentially with Mode 1 (red/near infrared) or Mode 3 (red) – use mode 1 if NOT light or heat sensitive, and mode 3 if you ARE light or heat sensitive. Combining Mode 2 with Mode 1 or 3 may provide antimicrobial effects with generalized tissue support and balancing of the vaginal microbiome. It doesn’t matter which mode is used first.
Pelvic floor exercises can also be combined with any mode of light therapy.
Optional vibration
The Fringe Pelvic Wand also delivers optional vibration, via four modes:
MODE ONE: provides very low frequency vibration which may help to support muscle relaxation and pain reduction.
MODE TWO: provides low/moderate frequency vibration which may help to support muscle relaxation, reduce pain, and increase awareness of pelvic muscle function. Mode 2 can be combined with gentle pelvic floor exercises.
MODE THREE: Provides moderate/high frequency vibration that increases awareness of pelvic muscle function and may help to support pelvic muscle contraction. Mode 3 can be combined with moderately active pelvic floor exercises.
MODE FOUR: provides high frequency vibration that may help to support strengthening of pelvic muscles. Mode 4 can be combined with active pelvic floor exercises.
let's get started
How to Use the Fringe Pelvic Wand
1. Before your session, make sure you have washed your pelvic area with soap and water.
2. Get comfy and use a water-based lubricant to assist with pelvic wand insertion. Insert the wand into your vagina to a comfortable level.
3. Select the desired light mode
4. Select the desired vibration mode (if any)
5. Gradually work your way up to the recommended time of 10 minutes/day. The Fringe Light Therapy Pelvic wand has a convenient built-in 10-minute timer.
6. The wand may feel comfortably warm. You can reduce your session time or reduce the light brightness/intensity to 50% to decrease the warmth if that is more comfortable.
7. For best results, we recommend using pelvic light therapy 3 to 7 times per week.
8. You can vary the mode(s) you use daily depending on your pelvic health needs.
Light & Vibration Therapy Safety
The safety of light and vibration therapy has been demonstrated in thousands of research studies. However, there are some precautions to be aware of before you begin your therapeutic journey.
Photosensitivity is the main contraindication to light therapy. If you are sensitive to light or are using medications that increase light sensitivity (see https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7672668/ for a recent list), you may need to reduce treatment time, interval, and/or frequency, as well as reduce light intensity.
Light & Vibration Therapy Safety
Here are some other precautions to consider.
Please don’t:
- Exceed the recommended treatment times and frequency.
- Use on open fresh wounds.
- Use in combination with lotions, balms or other topical products that contain heat producing ingredients.
- Use with a non-water based lubricant.
If you’re pregnant, we recommend checking with your health care provider to see if they think it’s appropriate for you to use the Fringe Pelvic Health Wand. They can assess your unique health needs and determine if light and vibration therapy is right for you. However, we do know that it’s a great tool to use postpartum when it may help to support healing and recovery of pelvic tissues.
about the authors
Dr. Genevieve Newton, PhD – Fringe Scientific Director
Dr. Genevieve Newton, DC, PhD spent close to 20 years as a researcher and educator in the field of nutritional sciences before joining Fringe as its Scientific Director.
Dr. Newton holds a Bachelor of Science from Laurentian University, a Doctor of Chiropractic from the National University of Health Sciences, a Master of Science and a PhD from the University of Guelph, in Nutritional Sciences.
Dr. Gen’s job is to “bring the science” that supports Fringe’s products and education. She is passionate about all things Fringe, and is a deep believer in healing body, mind and spirit using the gifts of the natural world.
Elizabeth Frey, FCAMPT, MCISC (MANIP), MSc. PT, MSc, BPHE, BSc, MCPA – Fringe Pelvic Health Advisor
Liz holds a BSc and BPHE from Queen’s University; a MSc in Exercise Physiology from the University of Toronto, a MSc (PT) from McMaster University, and a MCISC (Manip) from University of Western Ontario.
Liz is a clinic owner and practicing physiotherapist with a specialty in pelvic health physiotherapy. She is a clinical lab facilitator at the University of Toronto, and a clinical supervisor for physiotherapy students.
As an orthopaedic and pelvic health physiotherapist, Liz integrates her over 10 years of clinical expertise to provide a unique whole-body approach to wellness. Liz’s practice focuses on helping women navigate pregnancy, menopause, and everything in between.
I have not been able to enjoy intercourse since my hysterectomy in 2018 due to it being so painful. I tried laser therapy in 2019, but it did not help and it was also painful. If laser therapy didn’t work, would RLT work for me? I also have overactive bladder and stress incontinence.
Hi Melanie,
Thank you for your question.
When we talk about RLT the options for light sources are either laser or LED’s. It sounds like you have already tried laser therapy. The Fringe Pelvic Wand uses LED lights. The differences between laser and LED are in the nature of the light: laser is a single wavelength and has a very ordered structure, LED is multiple wavelengths and is more scattered. Because of these differences, laser light penetrates more deeply but it’s only going into the specific area of tissue that it’s applied to, whereas LED lights cover a broader area. Intravaginal laser laser will be done on multiple points but an LED based device would likely still cover a broader area of the vaginal tissue. LED light is also much gentler than laser, being at a much lower intensity, so it is not painful.
It sounds like you’re dealing with a long standing issue, which often requires a much longer treatment period. Having the option of using an LED based RLT device at home would allow you to do treatments 3-7 times of week indefinitely, which could help you to experience more healing.
Another modality that may help with your condition is vibration therapy, which we also included in the Fringe Pelvic Wand specifically for this reason. If you have stress incontinence it’s likely that you have weak pelvic floor muscles. Vibration therapy can help to strengthen those muscles and there’s good evidence that it helps women with stress urinary incontinence. There’s also evidence that it helps with overactive bladder.
You may also have some areas of the pelvis that have overactive muscles, including the detrusor muscle of the bladder. If you use the vibration therapy at low frequencies (rather than high, which helps with muscle strengthening) this helps with muscle relaxation.
It’s hard to say for certain that RLT with LED would help you but there’s certainly reason to think that it might. I would also suggest giving vibration therapy a try. If you did want to try the Fringe Pelvic Wand we have a pelvic health specialist (Liz Frey) who has developed some protocols for how to use the wand to treat different conditions, and she could give you some guidance.
Feel free to reach out at any time with questions.
Warmly,
Genevieve Newton
Scientific Director
Fringe
Can this be used for hemorrhoids or fissures at the rectum? Is there one for the area in the making, as this one seems too big?
In theory, yes it could work for that area – but, it is not anatomically designed for that area specifically and likely is too large. We do not have a specific wand in development for this use, but we certainly will pass along this info to our product development team! Thank you for asking!
I have ordered the pelvic wand. The directions recommend using a water-based lubricant. I’ve only ever used coconut oil for lubricant. I have vaginal atrophy. I’m extremely sensitive to products. What are some suggestions for water based lubricants I could use with the pelvic wand?
Due to the nature of light therapy, we don’t recommend using oil or anything oil based. This is not only for the safety of use, but also for the longevity of the product itself, as oil and silicone are not always friends!
Best to use water based lubricant with the wand! A good one we can recommend is BioGenesis.