Fariba Behnia-Willison1, Sara Sarraf2, Joseph Miller3, Behrang Mohamadi4, Alison S Care5, Alan Lam6, Nadia Willison7, Leila Behnia8, Stefano Salvatore9. 1. FBW Gynaecology Plus, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders University, Australia. 2. Virginia Women's Center, St. Francis Medical Center, Memorial Regional Medical Center, St. Mary's Hospital, United States. 3. The University of Adelaide, Australia. Electronic address: millerjoe1988@gmail.com. 4. FBW Gynaecology Plus, Australia. 5. The University of Adelaide, Australia; Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Australia. 6. Centre for Advanced Reproductive Endosurgery, Australia. 7. Flinders University, Australia. 8. University of Tehran, Iran. 9. San Raffaele University, San Raffaele Hospital, Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and long-term efficacy of fractional CO2 laser treatment in reducing the severity of symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) in menopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: 102 women presenting with symptomatic GSM were treated with the fractional CO2 laser (MonaLisa Touch, DEKA) system across a series of treatments delivered at intervals of six or more weeks. The Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire was used to gather data on sexual function and side-effects at three time-points across the study period (prospective panel design study). Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to detect statistically and clinically significant changes in sexual function and side-effects occurring from pre- to post-treatment. The primary outcome of this study was an improvement of the symptoms of GSM. The secondary outcome included bladder function and prolapse symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 102 women suffering from moderate to severe GSM were recruited. Eighty-four percent experienced significant improvement in their symptoms after CO2 laser treatment. Scores on measures of sexual function, dyspareunia, and bothersomeness of sexual issues were improved from pre-treatment to long-term (12-24 month) follow-up. Furthermore, there were improvements on measures of bladder function (P=0.001), prolapse (P=0.001), vaginal sensation (P=0.001), vaginal lubrication (P<0.001) and urge incontinence (P=0.003) from the pre-treatment assessment to the second assessment (i.e. after the third treatment). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, fractional microablative CO2 laser treatment was associated with an improvement in symptoms of GSM and sexual function.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and long-term efficacy of fractional CO2 laser treatment in reducing the severity of symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) in menopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: 102 women presenting with symptomatic GSM were treated with the fractional CO2 laser (MonaLisa Touch, DEKA) system across a series of treatments delivered at intervals of six or more weeks. The Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire was used to gather data on sexual function and side-effects at three time-points across the study period (prospective panel design study). Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to detect statistically and clinically significant changes in sexual function and side-effects occurring from pre- to post-treatment. The primary outcome of this study was an improvement of the symptoms of GSM. The secondary outcome included bladder function and prolapse symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 102 women suffering from moderate to severe GSM were recruited. Eighty-four percent experienced significant improvement in their symptoms after CO2 laser treatment. Scores on measures of sexual function, dyspareunia, and bothersomeness of sexual issues were improved from pre-treatment to long-term (12-24 month) follow-up. Furthermore, there were improvements on measures of bladder function (P=0.001), prolapse (P=0.001), vaginal sensation (P=0.001), vaginal lubrication (P<0.001) and urge incontinence (P=0.003) from the pre-treatment assessment to the second assessment (i.e. after the third treatment). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, fractional microablative CO2 laser treatment was associated with an improvement in symptoms of GSM and sexual function.
Authors: Fariba Behnia-Willison; Tran T T Nguyen; Behrang Mohamadi; Thierry G Vancaillie; Alan Lam; Nadia N Willison; Jett Zivkovic; Richard J Woodman; Monika M Skubisz Journal: Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol X Date: 2019-01-11