Atrophy, or thinning of the skin inside and outside of the vagina, can sometimes lead to pain and is typically found in post-menopausal women. The MonaLisa Touch procedure is a treatment that specifically targets women who have pain due to vulva/vaginal atrophy. Vaginal atrophy can affect women of almost any age, from very young to the older population that commonly suffers from menopausal symptoms. Dr. Desai, the family practice physician in Lady Lake at the Integrated Family Medical Center provides the MonaLisa Touch procedure, targeting women who have tried traditional management options that have failed to provide relief.
What is the MonaLisa Touch?
The MonaLisa Touch is a fractional CO2 laser that leads to the regeneration of vaginal tissue and the tissue that supports the bladder. This outpatient procedure is usually done in the doctor’s office because it is minimally invasive, does not involve cutting into the skin, and is essentially painless. An OB/GYN will place a probe into the vagina and use a handpiece on the vulva. Through the transfer of light and the generation of heat, new tissue is formed as well as collagen and blood vessels. Some of the Mona Lisa Touch procedure benefits is that it leads to a decrease in:
- Pain during intercourse
- Incontinence
- Vaginal and urinary tract infections
The generation of new tissue bypasses the need for any topical medication such as local estrogen. This five-minute procedure involves three treatments, all six weeks apart, and one annual maintenance therapy session.
Who would benefit from having this procedure done?
There are several groups of women that would benefit from the MonaLisa Touch procedure. The first group consists of women with vaginal dryness, pain with intercourse, decreased libido, recurrent vaginal infections, and genitourinary syndrome of menopause. The second group of patients are younger, and those have incontinence when they cough, sneeze, run, or jump. The third group of patients who may benefit from the procedure is those needing to thin the vaginal tissue leading to pain or itching.
What you should know if you are not sure whether to do the procedure or not
It is crucial for anyone considering the MonaLisa procedure to first go in for a consultation. A consultation provides an opportunity for your doctor to go over your symptoms and involves a physical examination. Through a patient-centered interaction, your care provider can decide if the MonaLisa Touch is right for you.
The MonaLisa Touch patient reviews
Generally, the procedure is painless and involves a vaginal and vulva portion of treatment. When treating the vulva, your care provider will use a lidocaine gel on the outside.
Most patients rave about the procedure. There is an 82-92% satisfaction as it effectively decreases pain with intercourse and incontinence. Many women claim that the MonaLisa Touch treatment procedure is life-changing.
You will begin to notice results as early as after a week.
Ultimately, you may need booster treatments every one to two years, depending on how quickly your symptoms return.
To learn more about vaginal rejuvenation options, visit Integrated Family Medical Center.
