The procedure takes place in the familiarity of your doctor's office, similar to an annual gynecological exam. For those who are more uncomfortable ice packs can soothe the area. There's no other prep that you need to do at home before you come. While the procedure is considered "permanent" it is recommended that you plan to come back for an annual maintenance treatment and a follow up appointment on the initial 3rd treatment within 18 months. Vaginal dryness is often caused by shifts in hormones, a phenomenon that occurs with the onset of menopause. MonaLisa Touch can give you these benefits back. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, know that you are not alone! Patients should avoid sexual intercourse or any form for 2 to 3 days following the procedure. Please Select Your Country / Geographic Area. I said I wanted to try it and so we began. This new trend creates a large and new client base for a growing practice such as yours. They also knew this breakthrough technology in medical laser therapy offered an incredible opportunity to women who had triumphed over breast or ovarian cancer and now needed a hormone-free solution for vaginal atrophy.
CO2 technology has been largely abandoned by knowledgeable practitioners because it causes extensive "coagulative" or heat based damage to the tissues that can result in scarring, thinning and destruction of components of the skin. At The Maercks Institute in Miami, FL, I perform vaginal rejuvenation and tightening with a special technique of fat transfer that improves the vascularity compliance and health of the vaginal canal while making it smaller and drastically enhancing sexual pleasure for both partners without a potentially destructive laser. As for which treatment is best for you, choose an experienced professional that is knowledgeable and already treats women for feminine conditions such as a urogynecologist, urologist, or obgyn. They're coming for your vagina! You'll also be provided with eyewear to protect your eyes, a routine precaution taken with every medical laser. Because estrogen plays a vital role in maintaining normal lubrication and tissue elasticity, low estrogen levels can leave your vaginal wall drier, thinner, less elastic, and more delicate. In addition, he reports most of the research for MonaLisa Touch rests in relatively recent, small trials with no control groups. Holmberg, L, Iversen OE et al.
Of course, the Mona Lisa Touch isn't a procedure free of any side effects or concerns, as with nearly any medical treatment. The dual-action of the MonaLisa Touch, both heat and fractional ablation, promotes blood flow and collagen growth. How the procedure works. The sessions, which are scheduled about six weeks apart, use an FDA-approved technology and take about five minutes to complete. You can also expect blood flow and natural lubrication to be restored to the area, further relieving symptoms. I'll review that information before we chat.
After that, women don't really have any symptoms at all. This doesn't happen to everybody. Relieve vaginal dryness, painful intercourse and urinary incontinence with MonaLisa Touch®. The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine has a searchable directory of licensed acupuncturists. The energy passes harmlessly through the surface area and stimulates a mild healing response in your vaginal tissue. Lichen sclerosis (a common post-menopausal skin condition). Most women return to work the same day.
Though three sessions are recommended, many patients have reported that they experience relief right away. 2016 Mar;127(3):e93-6. Painful or frequent urination. Patients can combine the MonaLisa Touch with other procedures if it is recommended by the doctor and if it is in line with the patient's goals. This article is also relevant for: Breast cancer survivors. MonaLisa Touch provides a medication-free and hormone-free rejuvenation that is easily administered. You can return to your normal activities afterwards, whether that's going cycling or going to yoga or going back to work.
The treatment consists of three easy 5 minute procedures over the course of 12 weeks. Minimally invasive utilizing a miniature fractional laser. I have an excellent care team, and they did refer me to a specialist in sexual behavioral health, and that was extremely helpful. This condition is progressive and leads to sexual pain, avoidance of intimacy and diminished sexual desire. Indeed, several societies, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggest that vaginal estrogen can be used, even for women treated for breast cancer. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) provides cancer risk management guidelines for people with inherited mutations linked to cancer. You may start to feel the effects of this renewed health early on or not until after your final treatment. Reversing pain, vaginal itching, burning, and dryness. However, most women are still symptom free after 18 months and continue to enjoy the benefits of their MonaLisa Touch therapy. Aching, itching, or tingling sensations with urination. But what could I do? Here, Dr. Clifford covers some of the common questions women ask about laser treatment for vaginal dryness. Nothing can be more stressful to your relationship than experiencing pain during intercourse.
Sexual function after fractional microablative CO2 laser in women with vulvovaginal atrophy. The worldwide scientific community has found evident improvement in the patient's quality of life: the symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy, including burning, itchiness, dryness, dyspareunia, laxness and problems connected with urinary incontinence, are significantly reduced at 12 weeks from treatment with MonaLisa Touch. Convenient Sessions.
NCT03716739: Improving Quality of Life of Cancer Survivors With Androgen Deficiency. Any negative effects of the Mona Lisa Touch procedure are minimal, if any, and if any Mona Lisa Touch negative side effects do occur, find comfort in knowing that this is temporary! Instead, once you arrive at our office, you'll be taken to a private room to change into a dressing gown. The Mona Lisa Touch is not covered by health insurance, but you may be able to use flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) funds to cover the costs. Vaginal bleeding and discomfort.
The full effect isn't realized until after the second or third treatment, from the day of or after the first treatment many women enjoy noticeable improvement. As is the case of many medical treatments, results may vary. First I will insert the vaginal probe. The Mona Lisa Touch Laser system has been FDA cleared as safe to use for gynecology and genitourinary surgery, however it has not been specifically FDA approved for treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (vulvovaginal atrophy) or painful intercourse. After every treatment, not only is all of the equipment sanitized but the probes that are used to treat inside your vagina and on your vulva are sterilized in our autoclave. I want you to use your time efficiently. Annual maintenance should also be expected to see long-lasting results. It's also generally not reported to cause pain for patients, though some discomfort is a possibility.
The laser application itself lasts less than five minutes! Treatment is easy, quick, and pain-free, and we know that you will be feeling like yourself again in no time. Frequently Asked Questions. The actual procedure takes less than 4 minutes. As a result, many women experience vaginal dryness, irritation, and burning as well as experience painful intercourse, all of which negatively alter a woman's quality of life. Hormonal changes are a natural part of life. She mentioned the clinical trial and I was immediately on board. The Mona Lisa Touch procedure is an incredible advancement in vaginal health, and one that has helped revitalize many women in this area of their lives. Are you struggling with vaginal dryness, burning, or pain during intercourse after menopause? Histological study on the effects of microablative fractional CO2 laser on atrophic vaginal tissue: an ex vivo study.