Even with the passage of time, many women still retain their youthful energy and enthusiasm, but post-menopausal changes can affect a woman’s quality of life in unexpected ways. Now, there is a gentle laser therapy that can help millions of women who are silently suffering.
As women pass through menopause, the estrogen levels fall that cause many changes, some notable, and some not in their body. In the vagina, the skin thins causing many changes such as dryness, itching, painful intercourse, change in odor, and bladder changes.
The MonaLisa Touch is a gentle laser therapy that delivers controlled energy to the vaginal wall tissue. It restores gynecologic vaginal health by generating new collagen, elastin and vascularization. The MonaLisa Touch was first available outside of Canada, where more than 15,000 patients have been treated worldwide.
The MonaLisa Touch uses gentle laser energy that is delivered to the vaginal tissues. These small pulses promote a change in the deeper tissue that results in changes of the vaginal tissue similar to before menopause, via a side-firing probe inserted into the vaginal canal. A two-part pulse targets surface (epithelial) tissue and deep (lamina propria) tissue to promote vaginal mucosal revitalization.
A multisite study was conducted by Dr. Mickey Karram, Director of Fellowship Program on Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery at The Christ Hospital, Cincinnati, OH and Dr. Eric Sokol, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Stanford University Medical Center.
The trial assessed the use of CO2 fractional laser therapy on 30 women with gynecological health issues due to natural or induced menopause. All of the patients in the trial were treated with the MonaLisa Touch laser therapy. Results were:
Overwhelmingly positive and immediate results
Highly statistically significant improvement in symptoms after first treatment
Escalation of progress with each subsequent treatment
*Women in the study either experienced natural menopause or induced menopause as the result of hysterectomy or drug-induced suppression of ovarian function (chemotherapy, radiations, and anticancer drugs such as Tamoxifen).
A study was done by Dr. Stefano Salvatore*, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vita- Salute San Raffaele University to assess the feasibility of fractional C02 laser in the treatment of 50 women suffering changes in their gynecologic health.
42 patients (84%) showed significant improvement in their physical and mental quality of life scores over baseline and were satisfied with the treatment. Gynecologic symptoms were significantly improved.
North Vancouver Women’s Clinic is one of the first physicians in Canada to offer this life changing procedure. To make an appointment with either Dr. Donnelly or Dr. Kaye, call us at (604) 757-5196 or schedule a free consultation here.
The procedure requires no anesthesia. Some patients may experience some discomfort the first time the probe is inserted, but the actual treatment is not painful. Many patients report that it feels like a gentle vibration.
The actual laser procedure can be completed in three treatments, that take less than 5 minutes. Each treatment is spaced six weeks apart.
Most patients feel improvement after the very first treatment, although the procedure calls for three treatments, each separated 6 weeks apart. After the third and final treatment, you will see complete vaginal restoration.
Patients should expect to come back annually for a maintenance treatment.*
*The doctors at our clinic will determine if a follow up treatment is required.
Patients should refrain from sexual activity for 2-3 days. Our doctors will determine a post-procedure regimen that is right for you, following your procedure.