Women were suffering in silence from vaginal atrophy as the taboo surrounding ageing and sexuality still exists.
During a US national meeting of gynaecologists and ObGyns in December 2014, Cynosure shared statistical data regarding significant improvement in the vaginal health of women treated with the MonaLisa Touch™ laser. The MonaLisa Touch procedure is used in the treatment of vaginal atrophy – a condition that affects women who have or had:
- Radiotherapy for bowel or uterine/cervical cancer with narrowing and atrophic vaginal symptoms
- Vaginal atrophy and haven’t responded to topical HRT
- Painful postnatal perineal scarring
- Severe atrophic vaginitis due to breastfeeding and contraception
- Lichen sclerosus but no VIN
- Recurrent thrush having had all possible fungal and medical treatments
- Breast cancer and experience atrophic vaginal symptoms
The MonaLisa Touch trial in the US
The trials assessed 30 women who were experiencing vaginal atrophy due to menopause as well as breast cancer survivors. “All 30 patients experienced overwhelmingly positive and immediate results,” said Dr. Mickey Karram. “The women showed highly statistically significant improvement in symptoms – including dryness, pain, itching, painful urination and painful intercourse – after the first treatment. They experienced no side effects or adverse reactions and showed an escalation of progress with each subsequent treatment.”
The MonaLisa Touch system
The trial assessed 30 women who were experiencing vaginal atrophy due to menopause as well as breast cancer survivors, found their symptoms improved when they were treated with the MonaLisa Touch.
The MonaLisa Touch procedure is used to improve the strength of vagina and is used in women with symptoms secondary to a weakened vaginal epithelium. Some women will have mild symptoms or simply not be enjoying intercourse, to women unable to have intercourse due to a very weakened vaginal epithelium.
It is designed to regenerate the mucosa that lines the vaginal walls. The treatment invigorates the targeted skin in your vagina and results in healthy, elastic tissue with minimal disruption to daily life.
“Up until now, women were suffering in silence from vaginal atrophy as the taboo surrounding ageing and sexuality still exists,” says Dr Sean Burnet, from Specialist Clinics of Australia. “Nowadays, vaginal atrophy can be treated using the MonaLisa Touch, which can have amazing results.”
The MonaLisa Touch procedure
The laser works by optically splitting a laser beam into a series of very small dots that are aimed at the inside wall of the vagina. This stimulates collagen production which provides a stronger vaginal wall.
The system is designed to stimulate and promote collagen production and it is based on the facial rejuvenation technology. The laser works by optically splitting a laser
beam into a series of very small dots that are aimed at the inside wall of the vagina. The speed in which the laser pulses is carefully fitted to match the characteristics of the existing vaginal wall.
Once activated, the laser dot removes a tiny bit of tissue, creating a pinhole with the diameter of a human hair. This stimulates the body to regenerate itself by creating new healthy tissue. This regeneration transpires not only at the site of the pinhole, but it also involves the skin immediately around it. As a result, the vaginal skin thickens, moisture and lubrication are increased.
“Doctors currently have a limited number of treatment options, and many patients cannot use standard therapies or find them unsatisfactory,” says Dr. Eric Sokol. “So I think this will fill a very important medical need for a very common and debilitating problem, and it has the potential to become a preferred treatment approach for a lot of patients suffering from genitourinary syndrome of menopause.”
The effects of MonaLisa Touch laser
Most patients notice improvement after the first session can be assured of long-lasting results. Best results on MonaLisa touch treatment are achieved with a series of three treatment 4-6 weeks apart. After that, to maintain the treatment’s results, it is best to have one treatment annually.