Vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, and incontinence are common symptoms that a woman experiences as she passes through menopause. Many women are embarrassed by these issues and cope with them in silence, but treatments are available that can improve a patient’s vaginal health and bring relief. MonaLisa Touch, a laser treatment offered at Fort Worth Center for Pelvic Medicine in Fort Worth, TX, is a quick, effective option. Best of all, it offers results that last longer than many other options.
What Is MonaLisa Touch?
This non-surgical, non-hormonal treatment works by triggering the body’s regeneration process. During treatment, you’ll assume the same position you do during a pelvic exam. A topical numbing cream may be applied, and a wand will be used to deliver laser energy pulses both inside and outside the vagina. You’ll be given a pair of safety glasses to wear to protect your eyes from the laser during your session.
The treatment, which only takes about five minutes to complete and involves no anesthesia and no downtime, spurs the development of new blood vessels and bolsters the production of collagen in the vaginal area. The laser pulses don’t create any discomfort. Some patients say they feel a mild vibrating sensation during treatment, but this is the only thing you might feel.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
For the best results, most patients undergo three treatments administered six weeks apart in our office.
How Quickly Will I See Results?
Most patients say they experience some relief from their symptoms after the very first treatment. By the time the third treatment has taken place, nearly every patient reports a noticeable improvement. This treatment results in stronger, healthier, and more hydrated tissue in the vaginal area.
Is This Treatment Permanent?
Once the initial series of treatments is complete, we usually recommend that patients maintain their results by having one follow-up treatment each year. Even taking into consideration the fact that many patients require annual maintenance treatments, the results of this treatment last much longer than the creams and other options that are available.
What’s the Recovery Like?
The recovery process is fairly straightforward. Most patients take it easy for a couple of days after their appointment, and we also ask that they refrain from sexual activity for several days.
Will I Still Need to Use a Lubricant During Intercourse?
Each patient is different. Although almost all patients experience a noticeable improvement in their symptoms after their series of treatments is complete, some prefer to continue using a lubricant during intercourse.
What Other Benefits Does This Treatment Offer?
This treatment can also be used to address lichen sclerosis, a condition in which thin, white patches of skin develop in the genital area. Postmenopausal women are at higher risk of developing this condition.
What Causes Vaginal Dryness?
A decline in a woman’s estrogen levels, something that often occurs during and after menopause and sometimes after cancer treatments, can cause the vaginal walls to thin. The natural lubrication in the vaginal area may also begin to decline. The decline in estrogen is a completely natural and normal process, but the symptoms it produces can be discouraging, uncomfortable, and disruptive for many women.
The Symptoms of Vaginal Dryness
Because of the personal nature of the symptoms associated with vaginal dryness, women often avoid discussing them with both their partners and their medical providers. Burning, itching, and stinging in the vaginal area are three common symptoms. Women also frequently experience painful intercourse and a loss of interest in sex.
In some cases, patients report frequent or persistent urinary tract infections, increasingly frequent urination, or incontinence. This laser treatment can help resolve these issues, improve your overall vaginal health, and help you regain your confidence.
Am I a Good Candidate?
MonaLisa Touch can be an ideal treatment for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Some patients also turn to the MonaLisa touch after forms of treatment have failed to deliver results.
What Other Treatment Options Are Available?
Topical treatments like creams and tablets are often recommended for this type of vaginal condition. Hormone replacement therapy has also occasionally been used as a treatment. The advantage of MonaLisa Touch is that it works to address the underlying issue rather than simply treating the symptoms of vaginal dryness. Many patients also find it to be more convenient than topical options.
How Can I Get Started With This Treatment?
If you’re experiencing burning, itching, pain during intercourse, or any other symptoms, the first step is to talk with us about your concerns. This is a topic you can bring up during your annual gynecological exam. If that exam is months away, you can also schedule a special appointment to talk about this issue. We can discuss your symptoms, review your medical history, and determine if this type of laser treatment is the best direction for you to take.
Your treatment will be performed by Dr. Alan Johns, a gynecologist and surgeon who specializes in MonaLisa Touch treatments. Dr. Johns earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and attended medical school at University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.
Learn More About Treatment
You don’t have to suffer in silence any longer. A series of simple laser treatments can give you the long-lasting relief to vaginal dryness that you’ve been waiting for. Call the Fort Worth Center for Pelvic Medicine in Fort Worth, TX today and ask about the MonaLisa Touch.
