Red light therapy is becoming more and more popular these days for things like skin health, hair growth, and pain relief. It’s thought to work by improving blood flow, reducing inflammation, and encouraging tissue healing at the cellular level. With these benefits in mind, researchers are starting to look at whether it may also support pelvic floor health.
Red light therapy for pelvic floor symptoms is still a growing area of research, but early studies suggest it may be a helpful tool. There’s still a lot to learn about how red light therapy works, how often you should do red light therapy, and which pelvic floor symptoms may benefit most.
What is red light therapy and how does it work?
Red light therapy is a type of light therapy that uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light (usually in the 650 nm to 900 nm range) to support cellular function and tissue healing. You may also hear it called photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy or low-level laser therapy (LLLT).
Scientists are still learning how it works. One widely accepted theory is that light energy is absorbed and used by structures in your cells called mitochondria.1 Researchers believe red light therapy increases ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production, giving cells more energy to carry out normal functions.
This may lead to several different benefits of red light, including:2
- Increased ATP production
- Improved blood flow
- Tissue healing and repair
- Reduced inflammation
- Pain relief
These potential benefits are why researchers are starting to study red light therapy for pelvic floor health. Afterall, many pelvic floor symptoms involve things like muscle weakness, tissue injury, inflammation, pain, and menopause-related changes. While red light therapy has shown benefits for some pain and inflammation-related musculoskeletal conditions,3 its role in pelvic floor dysfunction is still being studied.
Is red light therapy safe?
Red light therapy is considered safe for many different uses when used as directed, including some skin conditions and hair growth.4 But like any treatment, side effects are possible, especially if you aren’t using the device correctly.
But people with certain medical conditions (like lupus) or who take medications (like retinoids) that make them more sensitive to light should talk with their healthcare provider before starting treatment.
Can red light therapy help pelvic floor dysfunction?
Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a broad term that describes when the muscles and connective tissues that support your bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs aren’t working the way they should. Depending on what’s causing PFD, it can lead to many different symptoms like urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, painful sex, pelvic organ prolapse, and other bladder or bowel issues.
Right now, there isn’t a lot of strong evidence to support the use of red light therapy for pelvic floor symptoms. But there is some early research that looks promising!
Smaller studies have found that red light therapy may help to improve symptoms related to pelvic floor muscle weakness,5 stress urinary incontinence,6 chronic pelvic pain,7 and even postpartum perineal injury.8 These benefits are thought to be related to tissue repair, collagen production, cellular energy, reduced inflammation, and muscle recovery.
But pelvic floor dysfunction includes many different conditions, and most haven’t been well studied with red light therapy. Research is still too limited to know which symptoms respond best and what treatment approach works.
Red light therapy is just one of many tools that may help pelvic floor symptoms. If you’re dealing with leaking, pelvic pain, or pelvic floor weakness, the V-Hive gives you expert guidance and evidence-based exercises to help you address the root cause.
Start a free trial of the V-Hive
How to use red light therapy for pelvic floor symptoms
There isn’t enough research yet to know the best way to use red light therapy for pelvic floor symptoms. While a few small studies have shown promising, scientists still don’t know which treatment protocols work best.
For now, red light therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction is considered experimental. It’s also important to keep in mind that many devices marketed for pelvic floor symptoms, menopause symptoms, or “vaginal rejuvenation” haven’t been proven safe or effective, and many haven’t been cleared by the FDA for these uses.9
Not sure which pelvic floor treatments are right for you? The V-Hive includes guided pelvic floor workouts, educational resources, and expert support you can access anytime from home.
How often should you do red light therapy?
Currently, there isn’t enough research to know how often you should do red light therapy for your pelvic floor.
It’s best to follow the treatment plan recommended by your healthcare professional. If you’re using a red light therapy device at home, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use. This’ll help to make sure you’re getting the best dosage of red light therapy per week, when using that specific device.
What about red light therapy for fertility?
Red light therapy may affect cells involved in reproductive health, but research in humans is still very limited.
The idea is that red light therapy could support reproductive function by helping egg cells produce more energy, improving blood flow to reproductive organs, and reducing inflammation.10 And some research has also found that red light therapy may improve sperm motility (how well sperm swim), which is another important factor in fertility.11
But before red light therapy is used as a proven fertility treatment, larger, high-quality studies in humans are needed.
Is red light therapy at home effective?
Red light therapy at home may be helpful for certain conditions, like hair growth and reducing signs of facial aging.4 But results depend on the device, the condition you’re treating, and how consistently you use it.
When it comes to pelvic floor health, the evidence is much more limited. Most at-home devices use LED lights to deliver red or near-infrared light. Options include handheld devices, wearable products such as red light therapy underwear, and full-body mats or wraps. While these options make treats easier to access, they can also be expensive and many haven’t been specifically studied or approved for pelvic floor dysfunction.
Whether you’re exploring red light therapy or looking for proven ways to improve pelvic floor symptoms, the V-Hive offers step-by-step programs designed to help you build strength, reduce symptoms, and move with confidence.
Red Light Therapy for Pelvic Floor FAQs
Does red light therapy increase estrogen?
There isn’t any evidence that red light therapy increases estrogen levels. While some menopause-related symptoms may improve with red light therapy, the improvement is more likely because of tissue changes or increased blood flow — not an increase in estrogen.
What is vaginal red light therapy?
Vaginal red light therapy uses a specialized device to deliver light energy directly to your vaginal tissues. It’s usually marketed as a hormone-free option for symptoms like vaginal dryness, discomfort during sex, mild stress urinary incontinence, and vaginal laxity.
While some early studies have reported improvements in these symptoms, most studies combine red light with other treatments like vibration or exercise. This makes it difficult to know how much benefit comes from the light therapy by itself.
Can red light therapy help back pain?
Yes, some research suggests that red light therapy can help with pain management for certain types of chronic low back pain.12 Because pelvic floor dysfunction can sometimes contribute to lower back pain, treating the underlying cause with treatments like pelvic floor physical therapy is still important.
Is red light therapy for pelvic floor health worth trying?
While early research suggests red light therapy may help support pelvic floor health, the effectiveness of red light for pelvic floor dysfunction is still being studied. It seems to be safe when used as directed, but more high-quality studies are needed before it becomes a standard treatment. If you have pelvic floor symptoms, it’s best to use red light therapy as a possible addition to proven treatments like pelvic floor physical therapy, not a replacement for them.
While red light therapy shows promise, pelvic floor symptoms often respond best to a comprehensive treatment plan. Join thousands of women using the V-Hive for expert education, guided exercise programs, and ongoing pelvic health support.
References
- Maghfour, J., et al. (2024). Photobiomodulation CME part I: Overview and mechanism of action. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
- Phypers, R., et al. (2024). The Efficacy of Multiwavelength Red and Near-Infrared Transdermal Photobiomodulation Light Therapy in Enhancing Female Fertility Outcomes and Improving Reproductive Health: A Prospective Case Series with 9-Month Follow-Up. Journal of clinical medicine.
- Clijsen, R., et al. (2017). Effects of low-level laser therapy on pain in patients with musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine.
- Ludmann, P., et al. (2024). Is red light therapy right for your skin? The American Academy of Dermatology Association.
- da Silva, A. L., et al. (2023). Effect of photobiomodulation associated with strengthening pelvic floor muscles in volunteers with urinary incontinence: a randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled clinical trial. Lasers in medical science.
- De Marchi, T., et al. (2023). Pilates Method and/or Photobiomodulation Therapy Combined to Static Magnetic Field in Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Journal of Clinical Medicine.
- Fuentes-Marquez, P., et al. (2017). Physiotherapy interventions for patients with chronic pelvic pain: A systematic review of the literature. Physiotherapy theory and practice.
- Ramesh, S., et al. (2024). Effects of Far Infrared Radiation and Sitz Bath on Perineal Wound Healing and Pain in Primiparous Women Undergoing an Episiotomy: A Randomized Prospective Parallel Arm Study. Cureus.
- IUGA. (2018). FDA Warns Against Use of Energy-Based Devices to Perform Vaginal ‘Rejuvenation’ or Vaginal Cosmetic Procedures: FDA Safety Communication.
- Phypers, R., et al. (2024). The Efficacy of Multiwavelength Red and Near-Infrared Transdermal Photobiomodulation Light Therapy in Enhancing Female Fertility Outcomes and Improving Reproductive Health: A Prospective Case Series with 9-Month Follow-Up. Journal of clinical medicine.
- Moradi, A., et al. (2024). A Comprehensive Systematic Review of the Effects of Photobiomodulation Therapy in Different Light Wavelength Ranges (Blue, Green, Red, and Near-Infrared) on Sperm Cell Characteristics in Vitro and in Vivo. Reproductive sciences.
- Huang, Z., et al. (2015). The effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for nonspecific chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arthritis research & therapy.
