"After 23 years of marriage it was so hard to continue having intercourse with my husband because it hurt so much. In 2018, they released a joint position statement with the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health on management of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) in women with or at high risk for breast cancer, which included the following: - People with, or at high risk for breast cancer should discuss treatment options for GSM with their healthcare providers using a shared decision-making approach. But I needed something more physically regenerative. Updated: 08/06/2022. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, know that you are not alone! We explain much of how the Mona Lisa Touch is performed in our FAQ, but to summarize, it's a laser treatment which revitalizes cells in the vaginal tissue so that these cells produce more collagen. When we treat the vaginal area with the MonaLisa Touch, most women feel a vibration or a hum-like feeling. Vaginal dryness is often caused by shifts in hormones, a phenomenon that occurs with the onset of menopause.
Systemic hormone replacement is not recommended for breast cancer survivors. That whole process doesn't take more than five minutes or so. Take, for instance, vaginal changes that occur over time and result in itching, dryness, and a loss of sexual satisfaction. Therapy using the Mona Lisa Touch laser has been well-documented as an appropriate and efficacious treatment for vaginal symptoms due to menopause in the medical literature. Women are counseled to return every 12-to-18 months for additional treatments, which cost $500 each. Treating Vaginal Atrophy and Dyspareunia with MonaLisa Touch. How long do MonaLisa Touch treatments take? Such symptoms take a toll on a patient mentally and physically and can also affect her partner. Request a Free Consultation.
This is crucial, as an adequate blood supply feeds cells with the nutrients they need to thrive. But even women in perimenopause can experience symptoms like vaginal discomfort while seated or during exercise. Once that numbing cream has had its effect I'll remove it with some tissue. How is the MonaLisa Touch equipment kept safe and clean? Every medical treatment comes with potential side effects, which is why women should always consult with a board-certified urogynecologist before beginning any treatment, whether it's laser-based or vaginal estrogen therapy. After the MonaLisa, you likely won't have to use OTC remedies that are intrusive and cumbersome. Though a health savings account can help with this, not everyone has one. It counteracts the effects of vaginal atrophy with a simple 5-minute treatment that delivers a precise amount of heat which stimulates regeneration of the vaginal tissue, promoting proliferation of the cells and restoration of vaginal wall strength and blood supply. I know after my wife had her first treatment, she rode her bike home! Cycle Irregularities. Women may feel uncomfortable bringing up sexual concerns with doctors and may be unaware that of medical options for treating sexual side effects from cancer treatment or prevention exist. It provides you with a hormone-free, medication-free solution to a range of pelvic health conditions.
Patients are able to leave under their own power and may return to most of their normal activities straight away. The MonaLisa Touch CO2 laser is a fractional ablation device that uses DOT Therapy to apply laser energy to the vaginal walls in a non-continuous mode. The treatment can help to provide the following: - Improved vaginal health. The laser is then directed at multiple points on the external vaginal area or vulva. So again, we'll go through that checklist just like the pilot and copilot, make sure that the settings on the machine are appropriate for your treatment, and then I will treat the area around your vulva, around your urethra and around your clitoris to get that new blood flow coming back into that area to support the skin of the vulva. These symptoms can have a major effect on quality of life and potential adverse effects on the cardiovascular system, bone, mood, sexual health and cognition, which have been shown in observational studies to be lessened by estrogen therapy. Chronic vaginal dryness, burning, or discomfort. Plenty of medical treatments might promise to solve various vaginal issues that arise after menopause, pregnancy, or cancer treatment, but it's important to have your specific medical conditions diagnosed and a proper treatment plan developed. Some women experience no sexual sensations, while others only feel pain. About the MonaLisa Touch Procedure. Currently in its final phase of clinical trials, we are getting excellent feedback from physicians who say patients are very happy with their results after treatment. This gives tissues a chance to recover so sexual pleasure is once again possible. I'm so glad I kept pressing the issue because it finally got me somewhere. Take a look at selected clinical images illustrating fast and effective treatments with DEKA technologies and devices.
As is the case of many medical treatments, results may vary. After that, women don't really have any symptoms at all. Your doctor may recommend and a maintenance session every 12-18 months to maintain your results.
Our staff will carefully examine you, your health, and your body to craft an optimal treatment plan. Then we'll proceed with the first component of the treatment, which is the vaginal component of the treatment. I will then explain to you again in detail how it is going to work and what you can expect afterwards when you come for your treatment. Vaginal moisture is reduced, along with decreased lubrication. Before you know it this will be a recommended add on to your annual appointment. I had no pain or discomfort following the procedure. A 12-week treatment with fractional CO2 laser for vulvovaginal atrophy: a pilot study. This study is not open to men who have been diagnosed with hormone related cancers, including or breast cancer. NCT04439370: Autonomic Regulation of Blood Pressure in Premature and Early Menopausal Women. For women who retain their uterus, endometrial protection (progesterone) is indicated.
Urinary leakage, also known as urinary incontinence (UI), is a common problem that affects millions of women at any given time. As hormones are depleted the vaginal walls atrophy, losing collagen due to the decrease of vascular activity. Normal elasticity is lost and women experience dryness and discomfort with intercourse. At University Park OBGYN, we are here and ready to help you navigate perimenopause, menopause, postmenopause, postpartum care, gynecological care, and so much more. Enjoy restored gynecological health with Comprehensive OB/GYN! We're stimulating the body to heal itself. "
Some patients experience irritation to the external treatment areas that they describe as "like a sunburn" and that rarely lasts more than 36 hours. Having a prolapsed vagina with a mesh sling. The long term effects of repeated CO2 laser on the vagina could be devastating and to make things worse, the practitioner is protected from mistakes because they are hidden on the inside and not readily visible. It also helps keep the skin, the bones, your brain, the vagina and the bladder and the urethra healthy. Local (vaginal) hormone treatment may be considered for women for whom nonhormonal options do not work. When we go to treat the vulva, women will feel a light electric shock feeling or a buzzing sensation.
The purpose of this study is to see how cancer treatment affects sexual and reproductive function. Millions of women experience embarrassing and unpleasant symptoms that interfere with their personal lives. As of writing this article no peer reviewed studies were found for ThermiVA. Up to 60% of menopausal women develop some degree of vaginal atrophy, a chronic condition that can causes a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including persistent vaginal dryness. How long will it take to notice results? A series of three to four laser sessions is required. And this can happen every day rather than occasionally, infringing on quality of life and causing embarrassing episodes. Lasers Med Sci 2015 Jan, Vol.
You may start to feel the effects of this renewed health early on or not until after your final treatment. The primary cause of discomfort in menopause is vulvar and vaginal atrophy, a condition caused by loss of estrogen.