Continence, Urology and Colorectal (CUCS) Pericalm Anal Use
Pericalm Anal Use - Information
What is Pericalm?
Pericalm is a medical device that gives neuro muscular electrical stimulation (NMES).
Electrical stimulation contracts the anal sphincters, causing the anal muscles to feel like they are being gently pulled upwards. By contracting the anal sphincters the Pericalm is used to:
- give initial strength to the anal sphincter muscles.
- help you understand and perform your anal sphincter muscle exercises correctly.
NMES is used for one to six months, daily, dependant on how weak your anal sphincter muscles are and how compliant you are in using the equipment.
Your Nurse will set and lock a programme on the Pericalm, following your assessment. Daily use is 10-20 minutes.
Is it safe?
Yes, but you must tell the nurse specialist before treatment if you have any of the following:
- A cardiac pacemaker
- vaginal/anal infection or thrush previous or present cancer
- previous or present abnormal smears
- haemorrhoids (nurse will assess and advice)
- or if you are Pregnant
What is the best position for this treatment?
Lying on your back or side, which ever you feel most relaxed in.
What if my battery runs out?
You need to buy a new one, the pericalm uses a 9 vault battery.
Is the Pericalm clean?
When units are returned we dispose the probes and wires. Using detergent wipes clean and dry the unit, each new user receives new probe and wires.
How to use Pericalm anally
How to use Pericalm anally
Remember- do not insert or remove the anal probe while the pericalm is on.
- Find a suitable time of day to undertake treatment
- Check all connections are correctly attached
- Insert probe into anus using water based gel, leaving the ring of the probe outside the anus
- Turn the pericalm on
- Using the + button on the side where the wires are inserted, slowly increase the MA (milliamps) until you can feel a sensation in your bottom
- Don’t go over 30MA, unless instructed by your nurse
- If you have taken the MA too high, use the – button to reduce
- Once you start to adjust MA, the clock symbol will flash. This is to let you know your treatment has started
- Leave the programme running until the clock stops flashing or there are no minutes left on the Pericalm
- Turn off the Pericalm
- Remove from anus using the ring to pull it out, relax as much as possible to assist comfortable removal
- Wipe / wash bottom and dry
- Wash probe with warm water and soap, dry and place back in packet provided (so the probe is not touching the pericalm unit).
