APPROACHES TO OTHER TREATMENTS FOR DYSPAREUNIA AND GENITOURINARY SYNDROME
Hormonal treatments include:
- Estrogen
Estrogen is used when no contraindications to hormones are present. Estrogen is available as vaginal tablets, vaginal estrogen creams, vaginal rings, and oral estrogen in pill forms, all of which deliver a prescribed dose of estrogen.
Non-hormonal treatments include:
- Moisture products
- Lubricants
- Vaginal dilators
- Mechanical stretching of the vulvovaginal tissue to increase blood flow
- Regular sexual activity
The type and frequency of mechanical stretching, dilation techniques, and sexual activity required to prevent painful intercourse or narrowing of the vaginal opening are not known.
- Pelvic Floor Exercises
Doing pelvic floor muscle exercises (kegels), women with bladder control problems can improve urinary control by increasing the pelvic floor muscle strength.
How do I learn how to do Kegel exercises?
You will need to learn which muscles to tighten and sometimes
it is hard to figure out the right muscles.
The below is intended to give you tips:
Putting a finger inside the vagina and squeeze the
muscles around the fingers.
Tighten your pelvic muscles while you are urinating.
Tighten and relax your muscles to start and stop the
flow of urine several times. Do this only a few times
while you are learning.
After you learn which muscles to tighten, you can do the exercises in any position (sitting in a chair or laying down). Hold the pelvic muscle contraction approximately 8-10 seconds and then relax the muscle. Relaxing the muscle is as important as contracting. In the beginning, it may not be possible to hold the contraction for more than one second. Perform 8-12 of these exercises 3 times a day. Try to do these every day and over time you should be able to hold the contraction longer and harder. You should continue doing these exercises indefinitely to have a lasting effect, similar to other forms of exercise. For more information, ask your healthcare provider.
frequently asked questions
The Issue
Even with the passage of time, many women still retain their youthful
energy and enthusiasm, but post-menopausal changes can affect a
woman's quality of life in unexpected ways. Hormone replacement
therapy may not be the best option for a lot of patients, as treatment
outcomes can be uncertain. Now there is an alternative therapy for
vaginal revitalization that can help millions of women who are silently
suffering and unable to undergo other treatment options.
What is the MonaLisa Touch?
MonaLisa Touch is a medical laser that delivers controlled energy to
the vaginal tissue to revitalize the cells in the vaginal mucosa
(vaginal tissue) so that these cells make more collagen, an essential
ingredient in vaginal cell health.
How does it work?
MonaLisa Touch implements CO2 laser energy that is delivered via side-firing probe inserted into the vaginal canal. A two-part pulse targets surface (epithelial) tissue and deep (lamina propria) tissue to promote vaginal mucosal revitalization.
What clinical trials have been conducted on the MonaLisa Touch?
A multisite study was conducted by Dr. Mickey Karram, Director of Fellowship Program on Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery at The Christ Hospital, Cincinnati, OH and Dr. Eric Sokol, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Stanford University Medical Center. Preliminary findings from a trial evaluating the laser treatment on postmenopausal women* and breast cancer survivors experiencing vaginal health issues show positive results.
The trial assessed the use of CO2 fractional laser therapy on 30 women with vaginal health issues due to natural or induced menopause. All of the patients in the trial were treated with The MonaLisa Touch laser.
Where can I have this done?
The MonaLisa Touch is an in-office procedure performed by an obstetrician/gynecologist.
Does the procedure hurt?
The procedure is virtually painless and requires no anesthesia. Some patients may experience some discomfort the first time the probe is inserted, but the actual treatment is not painful. Many patients report that it feels like a gentle vibration.
How long does it take?
Patients receive three treatments, spaced six weeks apart, which each take less than five minutes to perform.
When will I see results?
Most patients feel improvement after the very first treatment, although the procedure calls for three treatments that are generally spaced over a 12-week period.
How long does it last?
Patients should expect to come back annually for a maintenance treatment. MonaLisa Touch was first available outside the US where more than 5,000 patients have been treated worldwide with up to an 18-month follow-up.
What are my limitations after the procedure is done?
Patients should refrain from sexual activity for 2-3 days. Your doctor will determine a post-procedure regimen that is right for you.
For which patients is this treatment appropriate?
The MonaLisa Touch is appropriate for any female who has gone through menopause, as well as those who are experiencing post-menopausal symptoms as a result of a hysterectomy or breast cancer treatments.
How can I find out if a physician in my area is offering the MonaLisa Touch treatment?
Patients interested in MonaLisa Touch treatment can visit www.SmileMonaLisa.com to find a physician in their area. If a physician is not currently available, patients have the option to receive additional details once the treatment comes to their market.
How much will the procedure cost?
Patiets should contact their healthcare professional for additional information.
Is this procedure safe for women with breast cancer?
Yes, MonaLisa Touch treatment is particularly well suited for patients who cannot, or prefer not to receive estrogen therapy.
Will the procedure be covered by insurance?
No processing code has been established.
*Women in the study either experienced natural menopause or induced menopause as the result of hysterectomy or drug-induced suppression of ovarian function (chemotherapy, radiations, anticancer drugs such as Tamoxifen)
MonaLisa Touch Midwest
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