As women, we go through a lot in life, from childbirth to the menopause. At any stage of life you find that you’re experiencing vaginal discomfort, pain, dryness, or incontinence, then know that there is treatment available. At Premiere Centers for Health and Wellness in Cincinnati, OH, we offer MonaLisa Touch; a medical treatment designed to address various gynecological health issues, particularly those related to vaginal atrophy and menopause. It involves the use of a fractional CO2 laser to stimulate collagen production and rejuvenate vaginal tissue.
What Is MonaLisa Touch, and Who Can Benefit from It?
What Is MonaLisa Touch?
This treatment is a non-surgical, minimally invasive laser therapy specifically targeted at improving vaginal health. It is primarily used to treat symptoms associated with vaginal atrophy, which can include dryness, itching, burning, pain during intercourse, and urinary incontinence. These symptoms are common in postmenopausal women but can also affect women who have undergone cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation, or who have had hysterectomies.
How Does It Work?
The treatment involves the use of a fractional CO2 laser, which delivers controlled energy to the vaginal tissue. This energy stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, essential proteins for maintaining the elasticity and health of the vaginal walls. The process can be broken down into several steps:
Consultation
You will undergo an initial consultation with us to discuss your symptoms, your medical history, and determine whether MonaLisa Touch is an appropriate treatment.
Preparation
This is an in-office procedure. A private treatment area will be prepared, and you will be positioned comfortably and ready for treatment.
Laser Application
A specially designed laser probe is inserted into the vagina. The laser delivers fractional CO2 energy in a series of short pulses to the vaginal walls. The treatment is quick, usually taking no more than 10 minutes.
Stimulation
The laser energy creates micro-lesions in the tissue, which triggers the body’s natural healing response, leading to the production of new collagen and improved tissue quality.
Healing
You will be able to go back to your usual routine immediately after treatment, and your body will begin to heal internally. The only signs may be some mild redness in the treated area and potentially experiencing more discharge than usual. These symptoms are a sign that the healing process is taking place and will subside within a few days.
Effective Relief
Many patients experience significant improvement in symptoms after just one treatment, with optimal results often achieved after a series of three treatments spaced six weeks apart. The benefits of the treatment can last for several months, with maintenance sessions recommended annually or as needed.
Who Can Benefit From MonaLisa Touch Treatment?
MonaLisa Touch treatment is designed to benefit women experiencing symptoms related to vaginal atrophy and other related gynecological issues. This treatment can rejuvenate these tissues by stimulating increased collagen production, leading to a reduction in symptoms and an increased quality of life.
Postmenopausal Women
During menopause, estrogen levels decrease in the body. The reduction in estrogen leads to thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal walls, resulting in symptoms such as dryness, itching, burning, and discomfort during intercourse. The tissues of the bladder and urethra can also be affected by this drop in estrogen levels, leading to urinary incontinence.
Women Who Have Undergone Cancer Treatments
Women who have undergone treatment for various sorts of cancer may find that it has affected their sexual health and well-being in a number of ways. Breast cancer survivors will often have taken drugs to lower their estrogen levels during treatment and cannot use hormone replacement therapy to reduce menopause symptoms when they reach that stage of life; and yet those who have had their cancer treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy may have an accelerated onset of menopausal symptoms, including vaginal atrophy.
Women Who Have Had Hysterectomies
When a woman has had an operation to remove her uterus, the ovaries are often removed at the same time. This throws the body into what is known as “surgical menopause” and can lead to all the same symptoms as regular menopause. Additionally, there may be post-operative changes to the vagina that affect its elasticity and moisture levels.
Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence
Stress urinary incontinence is mild to moderate incontinence triggered by activities such as coughing, sneezing, or exercise. This can be a result of a number of factors, many of which can be addressed with rejuvenation treatment.
Postpartum Women
Childbirth is a natural process, but that doesn’t mean that it happens easily. Giving birth can lead to looseness of the vaginal walls, and issues with the pelvic floor. These issues can lead to loss of feeling during sex, pain, and sometimes incontinence. This treatment can improve vaginal and pelvic floor tone, and help to heal and restore the vaginal tissues during the postpartum period.
Women Seeking Non-Hormonal or Non-Invasive Treatment Options
Not all women can use Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) when seeking to alleviate symptoms of menopause, and some simply prefer not to do so. Some women are unable to undergo surgery or just want to make sure that they have explored all possible non-invasive options. This treatment can provide results without any need for pharmacological treatments or invasive surgery.
Women Experiencing General Vaginal Discomfort
Some women experience general vaginal discomfort that is not obviously related to any medical cause. Whether this manifests as persistent feelings of discomfort in the vaginal area or issues with lubrication and elasticity affecting sexual enjoyment, this treatment can help to rejuvenate the area and reduce irritation.
Find Out More
MonaLisa Touch is a non-invasive laser therapy that offers a safe and effective solution for women experiencing vaginal atrophy and related symptoms. By stimulating collagen production and rejuvenating vaginal tissue, it helps improve vaginal health and overall quality of life. The treatment is quick, involves minimal downtime, and has been shown to provide significant and lasting relief for many women. If you’d like to find out whether this is the right treatment for you, then get in touch with our team at Premiere Centers for Health and Wellness in Cincinnati, OH.