The vagina changes with vaginal childbirth, alterations in hormones, and aging, which can cause major effects to a woman’s life, physically and sexually.
Vaginal childbirth can cause stretching of the vaginal muscles, which may result in a lack of sexual pleasure for the woman and loss of friction for her partner. The looseness of the vagina is often associated with urinary control problems and bulging of the bowel into the floor of the vagina. This urinary leakage issues are also accelerated by the hormonal changes of menopause.
Studies have shown that about 80% of post-menopausal women have symptoms from VVA (vulvovaginal atrophy), which includes loss of the normal tightness, lubrication, and health of the vagina. These symptoms include vaginal dryness, irritation, itching, pain on intercourse, and burning on urination. In addition, the normal support structure of the bladder weakens, raising the incidence of urinary leakage to about 50% of postmenopausal women. Loss of normal estrogen is the primary cause of these symptoms and is improved in many women by taking these hormones. However, some women may not be able to take estrogens or have inadequate response, so their symptoms persist.
SURGICAL REPAIR
Vaginal childbirth is usually associated with an episiotomy or incision on the bottom of the vagina to enlarge the opening for passage of the baby. This is repaired shortly after the delivery, but the repair is often inadequate. The vaginal opening may still be large and loose, the distance between the vagina and anal opening is shortened, and the area is often unsightly. A perineoplasty closes the opening and lengthens the perineum (area between the vagina and anus), which helps to rejuvenate the appearance and tightness of the vaginal opening. It is often associated with internal vaginal tightening surgery with or without correction of urinary incontinence.
“FemTouch™” LASER REJUVENATION
Major urinary leakage or weakness of the vaginal wall must be surgically repaired. However, many women with minor urinary leakage issues or women with symptoms of VVA will see improvement with the use of CO2 (carbon dioxide) lasers to resurface the vaginal wall. The CO2 laser remodels the lining of the vaginal mucous layer with creation of a new lining with healthier tissue and stronger support. This remodeling and regeneration has been shown to eliminate or improve many of the symptoms of VVA and frequently improves the urinary leakage.
We are happy to offer the FemTouch™ ™ Vaginal Laser Rejuvenation by Lumenis, which is a CO2 laser specifically designed to treat the symptoms of VVA and urinary incontinence.
Two to four painless treatments lasting about ten minutes each are given. An applicator is inserted into the vagina and rotated 360 degrees along the entire length of the vagina. The treatments are separated by 4-6 weeks. Many women find improvement after one or two treatments. This advanced CO2 laser is more effective and longer lasting than radiofrequency tightening. In addition, this Lumenis laser can also be used to tighten the vaginal opening, reduce the size of the labia majora (outer lips), and decrease the dark pigmentation of the labia minora (inner lips) and labia majora.
After the FemTouch™ vaginal procedure, the patient may have a mild heat sensation lasting a few hours, which is improved by a hydrating gel. No intercourse is allowed for 72 hours.
The FemTouch™ is a revolutionary treatment for VVA, which can dramatically improve a woman’s quality of life.