MonaLisa Touch for Vaginal Rejuvenation

MonaLisa Touch is a 10 minute laser treatment that is highly effective at resolving many uncomfortable vaginal and urinary incontinence symptoms, known as Atrophic Vaginitis, such as:

• • Vaginal dryness or itching;
  • Painful intercourse or vulva pain
  • Thin or fragile tissue, which tears easily
  • Loss of elasticity and tone (known as laxity or vaginal relaxation syndrome
  • Urinary incontinence or light bladder leakage
  • Mild prolapse
  • Thrush and bladder infections (UTIs)
  • Even Lichen Sclerosus symptoms

These symptoms affect around 50% of women in their lives. The most common cause is a decline in oestrogen, which is essential for maintaining the health and function of the vaginal and urinary systems. This happens naturally pre-menopause and increasingly so post-menopause. This natural decline in oestrogen will often exacerbate damage that may have occurred as a result of pregnancy, childbirth or other factors.

Whilst most menopause symptoms like hot flushes will pass in time, vaginal atrophy does not usually resolve and can worsen over the years, causing a consequent decline in comfort, intimate activities and quality of life. It is important for women to realise that these symptoms are very common and now very easily treatable.

Listen to Carol’s story here, one of our very happy MonaLisa Touch patients: MonaLisa Touch at Academy Face and Body, performed in our Sydney clinic overseen by a Doctor.

Note – Patient results may vary depending upon the cause of symptoms. Please discuss this during your confidential consultation.

MonaLisa Touch is suitable for nearly all women presenting with vaginal atrophy symptoms, including those:

• experiencing peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause
• with symptoms secondary to cancer medication or surgery, who are unable to use hormone-based treatments
• who haven’t responded to topical oestrogen HRT or find the application unpleasant
• with lost elasticity (laxity), mild prolapse or light bladder leakage following child-birth or other conditions

The MonaLisa Touch treatment essentially restores your vagina (internal and external) to its younger, elastic and healthy functioning state. It also strengthens tissue that supports the bladder to reduce incontinence symptoms.

Nearly all our patients have reported a noticeable improvement in their symptoms. Women have reported:

• Much better lubrication
• Stronger tissue with a significant reduction in pain (or no pain) during intercourse
• A decreased vaginal burning and itching sensation
• Better urinary control and reduced stress incontinence
• Less vaginal and bladder infections
• Vaginal tightening and better elasticity
• Increased sensation and orgasm
• Increased libido and confidence

 
The following clinical data shows average improvement in the main symptoms of vaginal atrophy and urinary incontinence after 3 MonaLisa Touch sessions.  Incremental results are achieved with additional treatments and some patients may require more than 3 sessions.

Study above carried out at the Department of Gynaecology of the San Raffeale Hospital, Milan, on patients with symptoms of uro-genital atrophy: courtesy of S.Salvatore, M.D.

MonaLisa Touch works by stimulating the body’s regenerative processes to create more hydrated and healthy cells and to improve the blood supply within the vaginal walls. This has a direct effect on the integrity and elasticity of the vaginal tissue and increases the acidity of the vagina to more normal levels. By restoring a healthy and youthful vaginal environment, many symptoms of vaginal atrophy (or aging) simply disappear.

The equipment is uniquely designed to direct thousands of tiny beams (or DOTs) of energy and heat directly into the surface layer of the vaginal wall using a slim, smooth hand-piece that can be gently inserted inside the vaginal canal. This delivery of heat into the epithelium naturally triggers the regenerative processes of the vaginal surface and connective tissue, by stimulating the activity of specialised cells that create elastin and collagen – the building blocks of all healthy tissue (see image below).

Because of the fractionated nature of the laser, each treatment affects only a small portion (6%) of the vaginal epithelium. Whilst patients often notice an improvement in symptoms after their 1st session, it is important to continue with 3 (or more) treatments to get long-lasting improvement in vaginal atrophy symptoms. We encourage you to discuss this further with our experienced female practitioner in a consultation.
 

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Initial Consultation:

You will meet with our female practitioner to discuss your symptoms and concerns. Our practitioner may examine you to ensure that you are suitable for the MonaLisa Touch treatment. We require you to have a normal and up-to-date pap smear result and no other contraindications to treatment. If deemed suitable, you may proceed with your first treatment immediately after the consultation. There is no advance preparation required.

If we observe any unusual conditions or contraindications, we will address these prior to treatment and, in some instances, may refer you to a specialist gyneacologist for assessment.

Treatment Session:

The actual MonaLisa Touch treatment is quick and simple, the whole process taking no more than 15 minutes.

Your vagina will be dried and a smooth, sterile probe gently inserted into the vaginal canal. Whilst the laser is operating there is a mild vibrating sensation, but no pain. The first treatment can be a little uncomfortable, but subsequent treatments have been very easy for our patients as lubrication has improved and they know what to expect. You will be supported by our physician and nurses during your procedure to ensure you are comfortable and receive the highest standards of patient care and satisfaction.

Academy Face and Body Sydney have female practitioners available to perform your treatment. All practitioners operating the laser are experienced in women’s health issues and have received appropriate, specialised training in the MonaLisa Touch intra-vaginal laser system.

Post-Treatment:

There are no side effects and patients can return to their normal daily activities immediately following each MonaLisa Touch treatment. We recommend no intercourse or strenuous activity for 5 days.

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The results of the Mona Lisa Touch are generally very good, but the extent of improvement varies between individual patients. Many patients experience an improvement after a single MonaLisa Touch treatment, however, a course of three treatments one month apart is recommended. Patients with severe vaginal atrophy symptoms may require 4 or 5 treatments for optimal results. This will be assessed and discussed during your consultation.

Some patients report improvement within days, but the effects are more noticeable after a few weeks with the remodelling of collagen in the vaginal mucosa and continue progressively for 6 months. Relief from symptoms tends to last between 12-18 months. As ageing continues, patients may require a single treatment every one to two years to maintain the beneficial results. MonaLisa Touch can be safely used in conjunction with Hormone Therapy.

Although MonaLisa Touch is a safe procedure with minimal to no side effects, there are a small group of patients who may have to delay the timing of their treatment or for whom treatment may not be medically suitable, such as those with:

• abnormal pap smear results
• any current infection or skin condition needs to resolve
• unusual lesions may require a specialist clearance
• recent cancer-related or prolapse therapy or surgery

Please note that each patient must have a consultation as a first step to determine their suitability prior to undergoing treatment.
 

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There are other treatments you may wish to consider to treat vaginal atrophy, particularly based on the extent of ones symptoms, ranging from simple lubricants through to oestrogen replacement (HRT). For more information, please review our patient information page below

Treatment Options

Where these other treatment options are not effective or they are considered inconvenient or undesirable, the MonaLisa Touch offers a quick, effective and longer-term resolution of vaginal atrophy symptoms.