What is vaginal and vulvar atrophy?
GSM, or genitourinary syndrome of menopause, is a condition in which the walls of the vagina and vulva become thinner and dryer due to a decrease in estrogen. It affects around 40 percent of women, particularly after menopause, and can cause painful intercourse, vaginal dryness, burning and decreased urinary tract health resulting in pain with frequency and even recurrent urinary tract infection.
What treatments are available for vaginal atrophy?
Until recently, traditional therapies for vaginal atrophy included administration of hormones such as estrogen, an oral medication called Osphenia, as well as a variety of vaginal moisturizers and/or lubricants. Many women, such as breast cancer survivors, cannot take hormones or have previously tried hormone therapy with minimal success.
Fortunately, there is a new non-hormonal treatment called MonaLisa™ Touch that has been shown to be very successful in treating this problem.
What is the MonaLisa™ Touch Therapy?
MonaLisa™ Touch is a minimally invasive treatment utilized to improve the health and pliability of the vaginal mucosa or inner lining of the vagina. A specially designed CO2 fractional laser is used in an office setting to treat an atrophic or thin and sensitive vaginal wall. The laser has unique characteristics of penetrating light or laser energy deep into the layers of the vaginal wall in such a way that it stimulates collagen and returns the vaginal tissue to a state that was present prior to the changes induced by menopause or other conditions.
How successful is the therapy?
Studies note that there is a significant improvement in the symptoms, which can occur as early as a few weeks after the first treatment. A recent study performed at The Christ Hospital in conjunction with Stanford University confirms these results.
How many treatments are necessary?
The treatment cycle that is recommended is three treatments, six weeks apart. This usually allows a significant or complete relief of symptoms for approximately one year, after which another treatment session is usually required.
Is the treatment painful?
No anesthesia has been necessary for any patient prior to or during treatment. The procedure is done in a simple fashion by placing a small probe in the vagina with minimal to no discomfort. The treatment session lasts approximately five minutes and no post treatment pain medicine is required.
Are there any post-treatment restrictions?
As mentioned, most women have minimal to no pain with the therapy; however, a few women may note some slight localized discomfort. No long-term side effects have been reported from patients. Full activity is usually resumed within 24 to 48 hours.
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