MonaLisa
Touch - The New Laser Therapy for Vaginal and Vulvar Atrophy

What is vaginal and vulvar atrophy?

Atrophy is a condition in which the walls of the vagina and vulva become thinner and dryer due to a decrease in estrogen. It affects around 40 percent of women, particularly after menopause, and can cause painful intercourse, vaginal dryness, burning and decreased urinary tract health resulting in pain with urinary frequency and even recurrent urinary tract infection.

What treatments are available for vaginal atrophy?

Until recently, traditional therapies for vaginal atrophy included administration of hormones such as estrogen, an oral medication called Osphena, as well as a variety of vaginal moisturizers and/or lubricants. Many women, such as breast cancer survivors, cannot take hormones or have previously tried hormone therapy with minimal to no success. Fortunately, there is a new non-hormonal treatment called the MonaLisa Touch™ that has been shown to be very successful in treating this problem.

What is the MonaLisa Touch™ Therapy?

MonaLisa Touch™ is a minimally-invasive treatment utilized to improve the health and pliability of the vaginal mucosa or inner lining of the vagina. A specially designed CO2 fractional laser is used in an office setting to treat an atrophic or thin and sensitive vaginal wall. The laser has unique characteristics of penetrating light or laser energy deep into the layers of the vaginal wall in such a way that it stimulates collagen and returns the vaginal tissue to a state that was present prior to the changes induced by menopause or other conditions.

How many treatments are necessary?

The treatment cycle that is recommended is three treatments, six weeks apart. This usually allows a significant or complete relief of symptoms for approximately one year, after which another treatment session is usually required.

Are there any post-treatment restrictions?

As mentioned, most women have minimal to no pain with the therapy; however, a few women may note some slight localized discomfort. Full activity is usually resumed within 24 to 48 hours.

Are there any side effects or complications?

Even though this therapy is relatively new to the United States, patients in Europe have experienced no long-term side effects. Also to date, no patients treated at The Christ Hospital have reported any serious side effects or adverse events.

MonaLisa Touch can help with:

• Painful intercourse
• Vaginal dryness, burning, or itching
• Lichen sclerosus, a common postmenopausal skin condition
• Stress urinary incontinence and chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Vaginal laxity
•                            In-office procedure
•                            No anesthesia, virtually painless
•                            No downtime
•                            No side effects
•                            Each treatment is <5 minutes
•                            Thousands of women have been treated worldwide since 2008

Ask Dr. Socas if the MonaLisa Touch is the right treatment for you. If you have additional questions, our staff can be reached at 941-761-1111.