Even when you’re feeling fine, skipping an annual well woman exam will put you at risk later. Early screenings can detect and prevent several types of cancer, and your visit is the ideal time to ask questions and learn more about your health.
Your body may undergo a wide range of changes after menopause, and in fact, each woman typically develops a unique combination of effects of varying intensity. While not all women experience vaginal atrophy, those who do can find their lives affected -- from urinary tract issues to sexual dysfunctions.
Medically, the collection of conditions caused by vaginal atrophy is called genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). While there are several treatment options that target specific symptoms, one technique offers improvement across the spectrum of GSM symptoms, using the unique properties of laser light – the MonaLisa Touch® system.
Atrophic vaginitis describes the drying and thinning of the vaginal walls resulting from reduced levels of estrogen caused by menopause. This tissue atrophy can include inflammation, and women who are affected by it can experience urinary issues and sexual effects, such as painful intercourse.
The symptoms of GSM include:
Treating GSM with laser energy jumpstarts a natural healing in your body called collagen induction. Collagen is a support layer for much of the surface tissue of your body, including the skin and the vaginal walls. When collagen is damaged, such as through a skin injury, your body creates new tissue -- including fresh stores of collagen -- to make repairs.
The MonaLisa Touch uses the warming action of fractional CO2 laser energy to harmlessly penetrate your vaginal walls. The collagen layer beneath the surface warms to a temperature about 10 degrees above your normal body level. This is enough for your body to perceive that the collagen layer is disrupted, and the manufacture of new collagen begins. Once this new tissue production begins, you’ll see a reversal in your GSM symptoms. Many women see an immediate changes with further improvement over time.
You may be surprised that the active part of a MonaLisa Touch treatment takes only about five minutes. In fact, the procedure is so quick that you can even come in over your lunch break. Most women don’t need any anesthesia, and there’s no downtime, so you can return to your regular routine immediately after your treatment, and you’ll feel few, if any, side effects. While you should refrain from sexual activity for 2-3 days after treatment, there are typically few postprocedure restrictions.
A typical course of treatment is three sessions scheduled six weeks apart, though you may notice improvements following the first session. Results are long-lasting, and in many cases, a single, annual follow-up session is all you need to maintain the benefits of treatment, though individual results often vary.
To learn more about whether MonaLisa Touch is right for you, call our office in Jackson, Mississippi to schedule a consultation with a women’s health care specialist here at Southeast Urogyn. Or you can just click the button here on the website to get started.
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