Genitourinary syndrome of menopause treatment using lasers 
and temperature-controlled radiofrequency

Wańczyk-Baszak, Jadwiga; Woźniak, Sławomir; Milejski, Bartosz; Paszkowski, Tomasz

doi:10.5114/pm.2018.81743

Cited by 15 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 22 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Approximately 50% of menopausal women manifest signs and symptoms of GSM (3). Early diagnosis and active intervention can prevent the appearance of moderate and severe atrophy as well as sequelae.…”

Section: ' Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…GSM is defined as a collection of symptoms and signs associated with a decrease in the levels of estrogen and other sex steroids, resulting in changes in the labia majora/minora, clitoris, vestibule/introitus, vagina, urethra, and bladder. Altered epithelial morphology can be observed, e.g., thinning of the vaginal epithelial surface, reduction in fluid secretion and levels of Lactobacillus, and consequent increase in vaginal pH (2,3).…”

Section: ' Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Impact of microablative fractional radiofrequency on the vaginal health, microbiota, and cellularity of postmenopausal women

Sarmento¹,

Fernandes²,

Marconi³

et al. 2020

Clinics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of microablative fractional radiofrequency (MAFRF) in the non-hormonal treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause. METHODS: We examined the cases of 55 postmenopausal women before and after treatment with regard to their vaginal health index (VHI), vaginal microbiota, vaginal pH, and cell maturation. Three applications of MAFRF were performed in the vagina/vaginal introitus. During the treatment, six vaginal smears were obtained and stained with the Papanicolaou stain for determining the degree of cell maturation and with Gram stain for classification of vaginal flora, as per the criteria of Spiegel and Amsel. For vaginal pH determination, pH indicator strips were applied against the vaginal wall. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows (version 17.0). Data were reported as mean±standard deviation. The differences were analyzed using the statistical method of generalized estimation equations with autoregressive correlation structure ''1'' and robust standard errors. RESULTS: The mean age was 59.8±4.2 years, and the mean time of menopause was 15.4±4.5 years. After treatment, there was an increase in the percentage of Lactobacillus spp. (po0.001). Consequently, there was a progressive decrease in vaginal pH during the treatment (po0.001). Regarding cell maturation, there was a decrease in the percentage of parabasal cells (p=0.001) and an increase in the rate of superficial cells (po0.001). Additionally, there was an improvement in the VHI index. The mean VHI values before and after treatment were 13.2 ± 5.6 and 22.5 ± 3.7, respectively (po0.001). CONCLUSION: MAFRF treatment is well tolerated and leads to improvement in the vaginal microenvironment.

show abstract

Section: ' Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: ' Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of microablative fractional radiofrequency on the vaginal health, microbiota, and cellularity of postmenopausal women

Sarmento¹,

Fernandes²,

Marconi³

et al. 2020

Clinics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The thermal effects of radiofrequency result in the denaturation of collagen, promoting the immediate and effective contraction of its fibers, activating fibroblasts, and leading to neocollagenesis, reorganization of collagen fibers, and subsequent remodeling of the tissue. There are different types of radiofrequency; the most popular is transcutaneous temperature‐controlled radiofrequency (TTCRF) 6‐8 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical methods for the treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause: A systematic review

Sarmento

Lírio

Medeiros

et al. 2021

Intl J Gynecology & Obste

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) negatively affects sexual function and quality of life. Techniques like laser and radiofrequency are being used to manage GSM, particularly in women with contraindications for hormone therapy. Objectives To verify whether the physical methods of laser and radiofrequency can be recommended as safe and effective options for the treatment of GSM/urinary urgency or incontinence in pre‐ and postmenopausal women. Search strategy Databases were comprehensively searched using combinations of the following keywords in any language: “postmenopause”; “genitourinary syndrome of menopause”; “vaginal atrophy”; “radiofrequency”; and “laser.” Selection criteria Full articles of case‐control, cross‐sectional, cohort, randomized clinical trials, and quasi‐randomized or controlled clinical trials were included. Data collection and analysis All authors independently evaluated the design of the studies for quality of reporting, risk of bias, and quality of evidence. Main results Of the included 49 studies, 37 were on the CO2 laser, 10 on the Erbium laser, and two on radiofrequency. Conclusions Laser and radiofrequency therapy could be promising and safe therapeutic options for GSM/urinary incontinence. However, the study findings cannot be generalized until new randomized clinical trials are performed that confirm the strength of the evidence. This review has been registered with PROSPERO: CRD42020141913.

show abstract

“…[5][6][7] Laxity can then be worsened by the physiological changes associated with menopause, particularly as a consequence of estrogen deficiency. 6,8,9 Tissue estrogen withdrawal manifests as thinning of the epithelium, smooth muscle dysfunction, connective tissue degradation, and decreased collagen/elastin content of the dermal layer of the vagina. 1 These changes form the pathologic basis for sexual dysfunction, which can significantly impact a woman's quality of life.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ThermiVa In Genital Hiatus Treatment (TIGHT) Study

2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction: Vaginal laxity or the sensation of vaginal looseness affects anywhere from 24% to 50% of postpartum women. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the ThermiVa (ThermiAesthetics, TX, USA) monopolar radiofrequency device in the treatment of vulvovaginal laxity and sexual dysfunction Methods: The TIGHT study was a prospective single blinded randomized sham-control trial conducted over 3 sites in Australia and India. The study included parous woman over the age of 18 who complained of vaginal laxity/looseness. Participants were randomized into a treatment group and a sham group. Patients in the treatment group were treated with an active probe, whereas, women in the placebo group were treated with sham probes that only reached subtherapeutic temperatures. Main Outcome Measures: Subjective success was determined by improvement in the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Vaginal Laxity Questionnaire (VLQ), Vaginal Flatus Score (VFS), and the Vaginal laxity Bother Score (VLBS). Objective success was measured via the Modified Oxford Score (MOS) and Genital Hiatus (GH) length. Results: Sixty-three participants were recruited (sham n = 29, treatment n = 34). In the treatment group, FSFI scores improved at 3 months (mean difference 8-points, P value .02), and at 6 months (mean difference 5-points, P value .07). At baseline 89.7% and 87.2% of patients in the sham and treatment groups, respectively, classified themselves as "loose" on the VLQ. At 6 months 73.1% of patients in the sham group still identified as "loose" compared to 32.4% of patients in the active group (P value .01). Subjective success was also noted in the VLBS (P value .02). Results pertaining to VLFS, MOS, and GH did not reveal statistically significant results. Conclusion: Treatment with ThermiVa was associated with a modest subjective improvement in vaginal laxity and sexual dysfunction and proved to be safe over the 6-month trial period. Pather K, Dilgir S, Rane A. The ThermiVa In Genital Hiatus Treatment (TIGHT) Study. Sex Med 2021;XX:XXXXXX.

show abstract

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause treatment using lasers and temperature-controlled radiofrequency

Cited by 15 publications

References 22 publications

Impact of microablative fractional radiofrequency on the vaginal health, microbiota, and cellularity of postmenopausal women

Impact of microablative fractional radiofrequency on the vaginal health, microbiota, and cellularity of postmenopausal women

Physical methods for the treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause: A systematic review

The ThermiVa In Genital Hiatus Treatment (TIGHT) Study

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About