Mona Lisa Touch For Vaginal Atrophy Specialist

Center for Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery

Manish Gopal, MD, MSCE

Urogynecologist located in Somerset, NJ & Freehold, NJ

Atrophic vaginitis is the medical term for vaginal atrophy, a bothersome condition that occurs when vaginal tissues become drier, thinner, and inflamed. Although vaginal atrophy is usually a byproduct of menopause, it can affect any woman who has abnormally low estrogen levels. At the Center for Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery in Somerset and Freehold, New Jersey, Dr. Manish Gopal uses advanced MonaLisa Touch® laser therapy to reverse the effects of vaginal atrophy. To learn more, call or book your appointment online today.

Mona Lisa Touch for Vaginal Atrophy Q & A

What is vaginal atrophy?

The reproductive hormone estrogen plays an important role in maintaining vaginal tissue elasticity and acidity as well as normal lubrication. When estrogen levels decline for any reason, your vaginal tissues can become drier, thinner, less elastic, and more fragile.

Other symptoms associated with vaginal atrophy include:

Vaginal burning, itching, or discharge
Burning or frequent urination
Urinary incontinence or chronic UTIs
Discomfort and decreased lubrication during sex
Light bleeding following intercourse

Because estrogen levels decline dramatically during menopause, vaginal atrophy is a common side effect of going through “the change.”

What other conditions can cause vaginal atrophy?

Although vaginal atrophy is typically associated with menopause, a woman’s estrogen levels can decline at any time, and for a variety of reasons.

Some women experience vaginal dryness and other signs of vaginal atrophy following childbirth, for example, as their hormone levels slowly recover. Women who breastfeed their infants may also experience symptoms related to low estrogen for as long as they continue to nurse.

Other factors that can affect estrogen levels and lead to vaginal atrophy include:

Smoking cigarettes
Certain allergy medications
Complete hysterectomy
Hormonal treatments for breast cancer
Ovarian cancer treatment
Ovary removal surgery

Women who’ve never delivered a baby vaginally are more likely to develop vaginal atrophy later in life.

The same is true for women who are sexually inactive: Sexual activity, either with a partner or on your own, increases blood flow to the vagina and promotes tissue elasticity.

How can MonaLisa Touch help?

MonaLisa Touch uses advanced CO2 fractional laser technology to safely and effectively revitalize the tissues that line the vaginal canal.

By making microscopic injuries in the surface of these tissues, the treatment prompts your body’s natural healing mechanisms to restore collagen, glycogen, and hyaluronic acid to the area.

These changes cause your vaginal tissues to plump up and become more hydrated; they also help restore normal pH to help reduce the occurrence of infection.

What is the treatment like?

Dr. Gopal uses a slender vaginal probe to ease the laser into your vagina, where it emits painless pulses of laser energy into your tissues. Even though the laser remains in place for less than five minutes, it’s enough time to trigger collagen renewal and mucosa revitalization.

While many women report significant symptom improvement after their first MonaLisa Touch session, most women require three sessions for complete results.

After completing the entire treatment cycle, you’ll experience:

Normal vaginal function
Fewer infections and UTIs
Pain-free sexual intimacy

Treatments are scheduled six weeks apart to give your body’s natural healing mechanisms enough time to rejuvenate the treated area.

How effective is MonaLisa Touch?

MonaLisa Touch laser therapy is effective at reversing vaginal atrophy and restoring vaginal function for 85-92% of women who receive the treatment.

As importantly, it’s just as effective for younger women who are affected by low estrogen as it is for older women who are going through menopause.

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