MonaLisa Touch
Vaginal Health Restoration
Menopause doesn’t affect all women in the same way, but for many, one of the most distressing aspects of the change is vaginal atrophy. The highly qualified multidisciplinary obstetrics and gynecology team at Southern Crescent Women’s HealthCare, serving the populations of Fayetteville, Newnan, and Stockbridge, Georgia, is pleased to be able to offer patients the innovative MonaLisa Touch® laser therapy to help restore vaginal health. Call the clinic today to find out more, or book an appointment online.
What is MonaLisa Touch?
MonaLisa Touch is a minimally invasive laser treatment that restores vaginal health for women who are experiencing vaginal atrophy as a result of menopause.
Menopause is brought on by falling levels of the reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone, and is a natural stage in a woman’s life that marks the end of her reproductive cycle. When hormone levels start to fall, you’re entering perimenopause, which can cause a range of side effects for many women.
Among these side effects are several that affect the vagina, including:
- Dryness
- Itching
- Burning
- Dyspareunia (painful intercourse)
These side effects are due to the drop in estrogen, which causes the drying out and thinning of the tissue lining your vagina. The standard treatment for these problems is hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or topical application of estrogen, but many women can’t take hormones due to pre-existing health issues.
If you’re affected by vaginal atrophy, MonaLisa Touch can relieve the symptoms and restore health to your vagina.
How does MonaLisa Touch work?
MonaLisa Touch uses laser technology to restore your vaginal health by triggering the natural healing process in your body. The CO2 laser creates microlesions on the vaginal walls, producing just enough damage to the tissue to stimulate the healing response, without causing harm or discomfort.
Your body responds to the effects of the laser by generating new collagen and elastin fibers that restore the vagina’s elasticity and strength, a process called neocollagenesis. Tissue-healing also restores the function of the vaginal mucosa that provides lubrication.
What happens during a MonaLisa Touch Procedure?
MonaLisa Touch is a simple outpatient procedure, much like having your annual well-woman exam, that your provider can carry out in-office. Before undergoing any procedure, you have a consultation with your provider so they can be sure you’re receiving the most appropriate treatment.
When it’s time to begin the procedure, they insert the laser probe into your vagina, and deliver pulses of energy for around five minutes, after which you’re free to continue with your day. Most women report that the procedure causes little if any discomfort.
Your provider recommends how many treatments you need, but typically patients require three sessions with a six-week gap in between. After this, a yearly treatment should maintain improvement.
If you’re experiencing problems with vaginal dryness and discomfort, call Southern Crescent Women’s HealthCare today, or book an appointment online.