Vaginal Laser Therapy And Menopause
The natural process of aging impacts every facet of our physical bodies, but women undergo additional stressors that can prove especially taxing on their vaginal health. Childbirth can cause extensive trauma to the vaginal canal and surrounding tissue, though the body tends to repair much of this damage. Menopause, on the other hand, causes more permanent damage such as thinning, drying, and inflammation of vaginal walls as well as a decrease in vaginal function.
While there is no magic pill that can stop age- and menopausal-related atrophy of the vagina, hybrid fractional laser therapy has been proven to offset many of the symptoms. Along with numerous studies that have shown promise in treating a number of vaginal conditions and symptoms, anecdotal evidence suggests the therapy works. Internal medicine specialist Dr. Diane Brzezinski has enjoyed resounding success treating her Naples, Florida-area patients with the therapy. And, as a patient who herself has undergone diVa Laser Vaginal Therapy, Dr. B emphatically calls it “life-changing.”
Studies Point To Effectiveness Of Vaginal Laser Therapy
Numerous studies have indicated that vaginal laser therapy mitigates numerous vaginal atrophy symptoms. A broad-scale review of 20 different peer-review studies conducted on vaginal laser therapy concluded that laser therapy works. The reviewing authors noted that the 20 studies “unequivocally demonstrate the following changes: thickening of glycogen enriched postmenopausal epithelium, neovascularization, and neocollagenesis in the lamina propria, increased lactobacilli counts, reduced pH, vaginal wall tightening, and improved urination control with minimal risk of short- and long-term complications.”
On the macro level, a study of 386 women who received three vaginal laser therapy treatments concluded that the patients reported “complete improvement” of symptoms at this rate:
- Soreness—73.15%
- Dryness—59.94%
- Itchiness—56.37%
- Burn—56.26%
- Vaginal introitus pain—48.79%
- Dyspareunia (painful intercourse)—48.75%
Many of the patients reported improvements after just one session and those reporting positive outcomes confirmed their continuance one year after the last session.
A few smaller studies concluded with even more positive results. A study of 69 menopausal women that compared the efficacy of laser therapy with estrogen therapy suggests that the laser therapy was more effective. Almost 86% of those who underwent laser therapy rated symptomatic improvements as “better or much better,” with 78.5% saying they were “satisfied or very satisfied” with the procedure. This compares with a respective 70% and 73.3% positive improvement rating reported by the estrogen control group.
A study that specifically examined the therapy’s effectiveness on alleviating stress urinary incontinence found that 77% of 175 women of varying ages reported significant improvement in symptoms. And a smaller study found that 85% of 20 women who had not been sexually active due to the severity of vaginal atrophy symptoms had resumed a normal sex life 12 weeks after their first session.
How Does Vaginal Laser Therapy Work?
Vaginal laser therapy works by stimulating the surface and deeper layers of vulvar and vaginal tissue to produce collagen growth and enhance blood flow. This in turn helps restore natural vaginal lubrication, enhance elasticity, revitalize sensation, and thicken vaginal walls, the latter of which helps improve bladder control.
Treatment involves the insertion of the laser wand into the vagina for three to five minutes, with a recommended three sessions spaced about four weeks apart. The procedure involves minimal discomfort, with most women only reporting a slight pressure sensation against the vaginal walls. Patients can resume normal activities immediately after treatment, but are advised to refrain from sexual intercourse for at least 48 hours, and to avoid bathtubs, hot tubs, swimming pools, and jacuzzies for that period of time as well.
Consult With Dr. B To Determine If Laser Therapy Can Benefit You
If you would like to learn more about how diVa Laser Vaginal Therapy might be able to alleviate some of your vaginal atrophy symptoms, Dr. B would be happy to discuss the procedure with you with a personal consultation. You can contact Dr. B’s Naples-based Internal Medicine practice today through our easy online form, or by calling (239) 261-9990.