Both CO2 and Er:YAG lasers have been evaluated for their ability to rejuvenate vaginal tissue. 64 The Er:YAG laser emits light at a wavelength of 2.94 µm and is 16 times more highly absorbed by water than the CO2 laser light. 65-67 Because of this higher water absorption rate, the Er:YAG causes much more superficial penetration and ablation of tissue. Most importantly, the Er:YAG laser does not increase the zone of thermal damage with each subsequent laser impact, as the CO2 laser does. Currently, the Er:YAG is the most commonly used laser treatment for VVA.
On the Er:YAG laser beam customers usually are managed once a month to own step three www.datingreviewer.net/escort/santa-clara/ months. Women can be instructed to help you abstain from intercourse for around 2 days just after treatment. Cosmetic laser treatments target brand new pussy merely, maybe not new perineum. Authored investigation ways the fresh treatments need to be frequent per year. 68,69
The newest Emergency room:YAG laser features presented encouraging outcomes for breast cancer survivors. In a single investigation 43 postmenopausal cancer of the breast survivors was in fact treated with step three laserlight programs all a month. Its attacks was assessed ahead of medication and you can immediately after 1, step 3, 6, a dozen, and you may 18 months, having fun with 2 strategies: personal graphic analog size (VAS) and you will purpose Vaginal Fitness List Get (VHIS). For all of the ladies in the analysis, vaginal dry skin, VAS, dyspareunia, and you can VHIS scores notably improved following 3rd therapy. The new ratings refuted at a dozen and eighteen months however, were still notably enhanced weighed against standard. The study indicates “genital erbium laserlight works well and safe for the treating genitourinary syndrome regarding menopause inside breast cancer survivors.” 68
Using laser devices for VVA truly is a formative science, and we do not have definitive answers about the optimal number and frequency of treatments. Athanasiou and Pitsouni aimed to address this question in a recently published study. 69 In their study, 55 women received 3 sessions of CO2 laser therapy, 53 had an additional fourth session, and 22 had an additional fifth session. Results of their study are summarized in Figure 1.
Profile step one. Change in sex-related parameters certainly one of female treated with carbon laserlight therapy to possess vulvovaginal atrophy immediately following 3, cuatro, and you may 5 treatments.
New writers figured laserlight procedures can get subscribe to done regression of dyspareunia and you can dry skin into the an amount-response manner. A supplementary next or 5th example could possibly get then increase the GSM symptom-100 % free speed.
Radiofrequency devices to possess vulvovaginal rejuvenation
Radiofrequency products may be the newest choices for remedy for VVA. Brand new radiofrequency solutions tend to be monopolar, bipolar, and you may multipolar equipment. We have a lot less studies so you can validate its security and you may capability compared to laser treatments.
Radiofrequency treatments are repeated weekly to monthly, usually for a total of 3 treatments. While the CO2 and Er:YAG lasers treat only the vagina, the radiofrequency devices rejuvenate the perineum as well. Women can have intercourse the same day. Like the laser treatments, the effects of radiofrequency treatments diminish over time and likely need to be repeated annually. 70
Post on nonsurgical treatment for vulvovaginal atrophy
Both the laser and radiofrequency treatments offer viable options for nonhormonal treatment of VVA. The CO2 and Er:YAG lasers have been used clinically for a couple of decades, while the radiofrequency devices offer promising new treatment options. The Er:YAG laser has been shown to benefit both VVA and mild to moderate stress urinary incontinence (SUI). 71 Less is known about the effectiveness of the radiofrequency devices for treating SUI, but they have the added benefit of treating the perineum as well as vaginal tissue. Insurance companies do not currently cover either laser or radiofrequency treatments for VVA or SUI, and the out-of-pocket expenses are customarily $1,000 per treatment.