Blog | Neroli Ngenda

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal Atrophy?

As women go through menopause, their natural PH levels in their bodies change. This menopausal and post-menopausal fluctuation of hormones can affect blood supply to the vagina leading to a condition known as vaginal atrophy.

Approximately 40 percent of women are will experience vaginal atrophy in their lifetime. The decrease in the natural elasticity and thickness of the vaginal wall leads to detrimental changes that can have a devastating effect on the vagina’s function and overall health.

What are the Symptoms of Vaginal Atrophy?

Atrophy of the vagina presents itself with several symptoms. Women may experience:

  • Dryness/itching of the vagina
  • Vaginal burning
  • Fissuring of the opening of the vagina
  • Dyspareunia (pain sex)
  • General Pain

Women who suffer from any or all of these symptoms often experience embarrassment, anger and sometimes depression. Their symptoms take a toll on their emotional and physical wellness as well as their relationships.

Prevalence

While vaginal atrophy affects around 40 percent of menopausal or post-menopausal women, it can also affect other women who have yet to reach this stages of their life. Vaginal atrophy is sometimes found in women who:

  • Breastfeed
  • Take oral contraception for prolonged periods of time
  • Experienced traumatic birth deliveries
  • Suffered severe perineal scarring or repairs

Also, around 60 percent of breast cancer patients experience vaginal atrophy during the course of their cancer treatments. Unfortunately, because of their radiation treatment or chemotherapy, these women are often ineligible to use hormone replacement therapy, another commonly prescribed treatment for vaginal atrophy.

Treatment Options for Vaginal Atrophy

Until recently, vaginal atrophy sufferers who wanted relief from their symptoms were limited to the use of unscented topical or HRT creams.

However, recent advancements in the treatment of this condition now allow more women to experience significant relief to the point that they can resume their normal lives.

The Mona Lisa Touch procedure is one of the newest relief options for vaginal atrophy sufferers. This treatment tackles some of the most pressing causes behind this condition.

Patients who use the Mona Lisa Touch procedure typically do not have to make adjustments to their daily lives to experience longer lasting relief.

The Mona Lisa Touch can especially help breast cancer patients or women who have a history of breast cancer and would be ineligible to use HRT creams.

Vaginal atrophy continues to be a condition that negatively impacts many women’s lives.

Rather than forfeit their normal routines or their romantic relationships, sufferers of this condition can overcome vaginal atrophy by knowing its symptoms and by discovering more about available treatment options.


Study: The MonaLisa Laser as Treatment Therapy For VVA Dyspareunia in Breast Cancer Survivors

A recent study (May 2016) titled ‘Fractional CO2 laser for vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) dyspareunia relief in breast
cancer survivors’ has shown the MonaLisa Laser as an effective treatment for pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia) for women who are previous breast cancer patients and who are contraindicated for hormonal treatment.monalisa touch laser

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of fractional CO2 laser therapy (MonaLisa Laser) in breast cancer survivors as a therapeutic method for vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) dyspareunia (pain during and after sexual intercourse).

Methods

50 patients (mean age 53.3 years) underwent laser treatment for dyspareunia in oncological menopause (mean time of menopause 6.6 years).

The Gloria Bachmann’s Vaginal Health Index (VHI) score was chosen as system to evaluate the presence of VVA and its improvement after the treatment. Intensity of dyspareunia was evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS).

Results

Data indicated a significant improvement in VVA dyspareunia (p < 1.86e−22) in breast cancer survivors who had undergone 3 sessions of vaginal fractional CO2 laser treatment.

Moreover, VHI scores were significantly higher 30 days post-treatment (T4) (p < 0.0001).

76 % of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the treatment results. The majority (52 %) of patients were satisfied after a long-term follow-up (mean time 11 months).

No adverse events due to fractional CO2 laser treatment occurred.

Conclusions

The treatment with fractionated CO2 laser appeared to be a feasible and effective treatment for VVA dyspareunia in breast cancer survivors with contraindications to hormonal treatments.


What Is The MonaLisa Touch Procedure?

The MonaLisa Touch procedure is a simple out patient procedure that takes no more than 5 minutes to complete. This procedure treats the symptoms of vaginal atrophy.

What are the Symptoms of Vaginal Atrophy?

monal lisa touch brisbane

The MonaLisa Touch Machine

  • Vaginal dryness.
  • Vaginal burning.
  • Spotting of blood after intercourse.
  • Discomfort or pain during intercourse.
  • Pain or burning with urination.
  • More frequent urinary tract infections.

Unlike other treatments that merely relieve symptoms of vaginal atrophy, the MonaLisa Touch restores healthy tissue in the vaginal walls by stimulating the production of collagen. This causes vaginal membranes regain strength and blood supply.

What Causes Vaginal Atrophy?

As women age, particularly after menopause, vaginal skin thins and loses its suppleness as elasticity. Women may experience dryness, itching or burning, cracking, bleeding or loosening of vaginal membranes. Childbirth can also result in a loss of elasticity of vaginal mucosa.

How the MonaLisa Touch Works

This procedure uses a painless laser that promotes the production of collagen which restores the elasticity and thickness of vaginal wall. The technique results in increasing blood supply to the vaginal mucosa and the production of new fibroblast cells. The mucous membranes regain a normal pH level and are rehydrated.

The MonaLisa Touch procedure is relatively painless and there are virtually no side effects. It’s performed by a gynaecologist, urogynaecologist or menopause specialist and generally no anaesthesia is required.

Is There Any Downtime?

After treatment, women may resume normal activities however patients should abstain from sexual intercourse for five days after each session.

How Long Does it Take To See Results?

Most patients see noticeable results within 30 days. There are usually three treatments required, spaced one month apart, with a follow up at once per year.

Who Is Suitable for the MonaLisa Touch Procedure?

Women who prefer a non-surgical, non-invasive treatment for vaginal atrophy are candidates for the MonaLisa Touch procedure. A patient should consult with her doctor to evaluate whether the procedure is suitable for her specific symptoms.

Women who experience other symptoms associated with vaginal atrophy such as loose or excessive skin around the labia or structural problems of the vagina may find that the procedure remedies these problems.

Because vaginal tissues are strengthened, the position and structure of the vagina also changes. Those considering surgery to correct such mild to moderate exterior problems may be able to forgo surgery.