A solution to post-menopausal discomforts: Learn about the MonaLisa Touch treatment

Are you going through menopause? Or have you been through it for a while? If so, have you also experienced discomfort such as vaginal dryness, pain during sex, and constant itching? Although this is actually common for many women, many are reluctant to talk about it openly, even to their doctors. But this is not something to hide and suffer from. Because there are new, very effective treatments for this now. That is what we are going to talk about today.

Simply put, what is this MonaLisa Touch?

MonaLisa Touch is a non-surgical, laser-based treatment that primarily treats vaginal dryness and related problems associated with menopause. In medical terms, this condition is known as vaginal atrophy or genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) .

Do you remember that with menopause, our body's production of the hormone estrogen decreases significantly. The decrease in that hormone is the root of all these problems. When estrogen decreases, the tissues in the walls of the vagina thin, lose moisture, and lose elasticity. The MonaLisa Touch treatment works by repairing those damaged tissues and restoring the lost moisture to the vagina.

This is a great alternative to creams, gels, or pills that contain estrogen. This is a very valuable solution, especially for women who cannot or do not want to take estrogen hormone therapy.

What symptoms does this treatment treat?

The symptoms of GSM that come with menopause are not limited to one or two. Sometimes, these can have a big impact on your daily life. MonaLisa Touch treatment can help relieve many of these symptoms. Let's take a look at what they are.

Who is this treatment best suited for?

MonaLisa Touch treatment is not suitable for everyone, but it can be a great solution for women in the following categories:

• For those who are going through or have completed menopause and are suffering from the symptoms mentioned above.
• For those who have tried other treatments, such as estrogen hormone creams, and they have not been successful .
• Those who have developed GSM symptoms due to reasons such as cancer treatment (chemotherapy), a history of breast cancer , or a hysterectomy .
• For those who cannot receive estrogen hormone therapy due to other medical conditions. (For example, estrogen hormone therapy is not given to people with medical conditions like breast cancer. So this is a very good option for such people.)
• This treatment is also used for certain skin conditions that occur in the vaginal area, such as lichen sclerosus .

Are there people who should not have this treatment?

Yes, absolutely. This is very important. If you have any of the following conditions, MonaLisa Touch treatment may not be right for you. You should definitely discuss this with your doctor and make a final decision.

• If you are pregnant or have not had a baby for at least 3 months .
• If you have bladder prolapse .
• If you currently have an active sexually transmitted infection (STI) or other vaginal infection .
• If you are taking blood thinners (anticoagulants) or have a blood disorder related to the immune system (immune thrombocytopenia) .

How does this treatment actually work?

Although the scientific side of this is a bit complicated, I'll explain it to you simply.

Think about it, when we get a wound on our skin, our body creates new tissue to heal it, right? The same principle is at work here.

MonaLisa Touch uses a special type of laser called a CO2 (carbon dioxide) fractional laser . This laser device directs thousands of very fine, invisible beams of light into the walls of the vagina. This creates very small, controlled 'micro-injuries' in the tissue.

Don't worry, you won't even feel it. When these micro-injuries occur, the body's natural healing process kicks in. That means:

1. New blood vessels begin to form, providing a better blood supply to the tissues.

2. It stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, two proteins that give our skin its elasticity and strength.

The end result of all this is that the vaginal tissue is renewed, thickened, and regains its moisture and flexibility.

Is any special preparation required before treatment?

Not at all. This is another good thing about this treatment. You don't need to prepare much for this, fast, or anything like that. This is not surgery, and there is no anesthesia. So there is no reason to be afraid. This is a very short treatment that usually takes about 5 minutes .

What happens during treatment?

This treatment is done right in your gynecologist's office. The procedure is similar to getting a Pap smear.

• First, you will be asked to remove your underwear and lie down on the examination bed.
• Then you have to place your feet on the stirrups.
• If necessary, the doctor may apply a numbing cream around the vaginal opening.
• Then, a thin, long, pen-like device (wand-like device) is carefully inserted into the vagina and the treatment begins.

This device emits the laser beam. Some people feel a slight vibration during this time. Others may feel a slight burning sensation, like a needle prick. However, there is usually no significant pain.

Typically, for best results, you will need at least 3 treatments, spaced about 6 weeks apart . After that, your doctor may recommend another treatment, about once a year, to maintain the results.

What are the benefits and side effects of the treatment?

As with any treatment, there are benefits and possible side effects. But the best part is that most of the time, the side effects are very minor and temporary.

What should I be careful about after treatment?

The recovery time is very quick. You can return to your normal activities the same day of treatment.

• If you experience some vaginal discomfort on the first day, you can get relief by applying an ice pack or using a lubricant recommended by your doctor.
• Most importantly: You should completely avoid sexual intercourse for 3 days after treatment. This is very important to give the tissues time to heal properly.

Is this treatment really effective? How much does it cost?

Yes. Studies have shown that more than 80% of people who have had MonaLisa Touch treatment are very satisfied with the results . And almost 90% of people report good or very good improvement in their symptoms. Some people start to notice a big difference after the first treatment.

Talking about the cost, this can be a bit expensive. Most insurance policies in Sri Lanka do not cover this type of treatment. The exact cost of the treatment varies depending on the hospital or clinic where you receive the treatment. Therefore, it is best to discuss the cost clearly with your doctor before starting the treatment.

If you are suffering from vaginal dryness and related discomforts caused by menopause, don't hesitate to discuss this with your doctor. He or she is the best person to decide whether or not the MonaLisa Touch treatment is right for you.

MonaLisa Touch, menopause, vaginal dryness, estrogen, laser treatment, GSM, women's health, painful intercourse