AT PFD WEEK 2016
DENVER (FRONTLINE MEDICAL NEWS) – Novel fractional laser therapy achieved significant 12-month reductions in vaginal dryness, burning, pain, and itching associated with menopause, Eric Sokol, MD, reported at Pelvic Floor Disorders Week, sponsored by the American Urogynecologic Society.
Most patients – 92% – said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the treatment, said Dr. Sokol of Stanford (Calif.) University. “Treatments take 45 seconds and are painless,” he added. “We are part of a group that is planning a larger multicenter randomized trial of this laser, as well as some histologic studies.”
The two-center pilot study included 30 women with vulvovaginal atrophy treated with a novel fractional carbon dioxide laser system called SmartXide2 V2LR (MonaLisa Touch). The system has a maximum power of 60 W and emits laser energy at a 10,600-nm wavelength, Dr. Sokol noted. Patients underwent three treatments spaced by 6 weeks, and used 10-point visual analogue scales to score baseline and subsequent levels of vaginal pain, burning, itching, dryness, dyspareunia, and dysuria.
Patients reported significant improvements in all symptoms at 3 months and continued to show the same significant improvement at 12 months. Reductions in dryness and dyspareunia were especially marked, dropping by an average of about 75% and 66%, respectively. At 12 months, 79% of patients tolerated a medium or large dilator, compared with only 20% at baseline, Dr. Sokol said.
Average scores on the Female Sexual Function Index rose from 11.3 at baseline to 21.25 at 12 months, a statistically significant improvement.
Laser therapy caused no major adverse events, but about 10% of patients developed slight vaginal discharge or minor spotting after treatment, Dr. Sokol reported. Patients were not allowed to use lubricants or estrogens during the study.
The study was supported by DEKA M.E.L.A. Srl, using an investigator-initiated protocol. Patients did not pay for treatment. Dr. Sokol reported that he has no financial disclosures related to this study. His coinvestigator is a paid consultant for Cynosure.
