How to use a red light pelvic wand: a step-by-step guide

Most of us were never shown how to look after our pelvic floor, let alone how to use a device designed for it. So it's no surprise that a new red light pelvic wand can sit in its case for weeks while you work up to the first session. This guide takes the guesswork out of it: what the wand is, how to get ready, a step-by-step routine for your first session, how often to use it, and the signs that it's time to talk to a pelvic health physio instead.

What is a red light pelvic wand?

A red light pelvic wand is a small, internal device that delivers low-level red and near-infrared light, and in some designs gentle vibration, to the pelvic floor muscles from inside the vagina. It uses the same principle as other red light therapy devices, known as photobiomodulation, where particular wavelengths of light are absorbed by cells and may influence how they work.

It helps to remember that the pelvic floor is muscle. Like any muscle it can be weak, but it can also be tense and struggle to let go. Jean Hailes notes that relaxation is an important part of pelvic floor function, particularly when there's persistent pelvic pain. Our earlier posts, your pelvic floor is a muscle too and when your pelvic floor won't rest, go into this in more detail.

On the research side, the evidence for internal light therapy is early. One 2021 pilot study followed 13 women with persistent pelvic pain through nine transvaginal light therapy sessions and reported lower pain scores at follow-up. It was small, had no comparison group and didn't test our wand, and the authors called for controlled trials to confirm what they saw. That's a reason for interest, not for certainty.

Before your first session

• Read the directions for use, start to finish. They're the final word on how your wand should be used, cleaned and stored, and on who shouldn't use it.
• Charge it fully. A full battery means no interruptions mid-session.
• Clean it before the first use. Wash the silicone with warm water and a mild, unscented soap, rinse well and pat dry with a clean, lint-free cloth.
• Check whether it's right for you now. Don't use the wand if you've been advised against vaginal insertion for any reason, including advice you've been given during pregnancy. After birth, wait until your health professional has cleared you, usually at your six-week check.
• See your GP first if something's new. Unexplained bleeding, unusual discharge, or pain you haven't had assessed should be checked before you start using any internal device.
• Pick a time you won't be rushed. Ten quiet minutes, a closed door and your phone on silent make a real difference.

How to use a red light pelvic wand: step by step

1. Wash your hands and get comfortable. Many people find lying on their back with knees bent and a pillow under them easiest. Others prefer side-lying. Use whichever position lets your hips and tummy relax.
2. Choose a light mode. The Fringe wand has three light modes drawing on its 630nm red, 830nm near-infrared and 415nm blue LEDs. Start with the mode the directions suggest for first use.
3. Use a little lubricant if you need it. A water-based lubricant is the usual choice with silicone.
4. Insert slowly, breathing out. Take a slow breath in, then gently insert the wand as you breathe out, only as far as feels comfortable. You shouldn't need to push. If you feel sharp pain, stop.
5. Let your pelvic floor soften. Once it's in place, there's nothing to squeeze or hold. Breathe slowly into your belly and let your jaw, shoulders and pelvic floor relax.
6. Start vibration at the lowest setting, or leave it off. Vibration is optional and comes in four settings (10, 50, 90 and 120Hz). For your first few sessions, try the light on its own or vibration at 10Hz. Only move up if it feels good, and back off if anything feels sore.
7. Let the timer do its job. The session stops automatically at 10 minutes. That's the full session. There's no need to start a second one straight after.
8. Remove it gently. Breathe out again as you slowly withdraw the wand.

After the session

Clean the wand straight away, the same way as before your first use, let it dry fully and store it in its case somewhere cool and dry. The wand is waterproof, which makes cleaning easier, but follow the directions on how it can be washed. Keep it for your own use only, and don't share it.

How often should you use it?

Follow the frequency set out in your wand's directions for use. A few principles hold whatever the schedule:

• One timed session at a time. Ten minutes is the session. Doubling up won't double anything, and with light therapy more isn't necessarily better. We explain why in why more intensity isn't always better.
• Consistency beats intensity. A regular, unhurried routine is easier to stick with and easier to judge than an occasional long session.
• Keep a simple note. Jot down the mode, vibration setting and how you felt that day and the next. It helps you spot patterns, and it's useful to bring to a physio appointment.
• Use it alongside your other care. If you're seeing a pelvic health physio, tell them you're using the wand so it fits in with your exercises, including any relaxation or "down-training" work.

When to stop, and when to see a pelvic health physio

Stop using the wand and get advice if:

• your symptoms get worse, or pain lingers after a session
• you notice bleeding, unusual discharge, or irritation that doesn't settle
• you become pregnant, or are advised against vaginal insertion for any reason
• you're unsure whether the wand is right for you

A pelvic health physiotherapist can assess what's actually going on, whether that's muscles that are weak, muscles that won't relax, or a mix of both, and build a program around it. You don't need a referral to see a physio in Australia, and the Australian Physiotherapy Association's Find a physio directory can help you find one near you. Look for a physio who works in pelvic health.

For bladder or bowel concerns, the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66 is free and confidential. It's staffed by nurse continence specialists who can point you to local services. Your GP is always a good first stop too.

About the Fringe Red Light Pelvic Wand

The Red Light Pelvic Wand is included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG 528523). It has 117 LED chips delivering 630nm red, 830nm near-infrared and 415nm blue light across three light modes, optional vibration at 10, 50, 90 or 120Hz, and a light output of 20–40mW/cm². It's wireless and waterproof, made from medical-grade soft silicone, and its session timer stops at 10 minutes. The Red Light Pelvic Wand is intended to promote blood circulation, support pelvic pain reduction and support muscle relaxation.

Have a question we haven't covered? See our FAQ or get in touch.

The contents of this blog, such as text, content and graphics, are intended for educational purposes only. The content is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider. Consult your healthcare provider before use if you are pregnant, are sensitive to light, or are taking medications that may increase light sensitivity. The Red Light Pelvic Wand is included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG 528523). Always read the label and follow the directions for use.