Vaginal Atrophy

What causes vaginal atrophy?

Vaginal atrophy occurs when you have thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal walls. This typically occurs when your production of estrogen decreases, usually in the perimenopausal or menopausal period. Some women may experience a temporary decline in estrogen production in the postpartum period, too.

What are the symptoms of vaginal atrophy?

Vaginal atrophy can cause a number of uncomfortable symptoms, including:

• Vaginal dryness and burning
• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Genital itching
• Urinary burning and urgency
• Frequent urinary tract infections
• Urinary incontinence
• Painful or uncomfortable sexual intercourse
• Lack of lubrication

These symptoms are quite common, affecting as many as half of postmenopausal women. Never feel self-conscious discussing these symptoms with Dr. Hagberg – she can help you find a resolution.

What are the treatments for vaginal atrophy?

Dr. Hagberg may recommend non-hormonal or hormonal options to treat vaginal atrophy.  Estrogen replacement therapy in the form of vaginal estrogen cream may be considered. You insert this cream into your vagina, usually at bedtime. Dr. Hagberg creates a customized treatment plan for you that may involve daily application.  For those patients that desire nonhormonal options, there are various other options also available including the vaginal laser called the MonaLisa Touch

Non-hormonal vaginal lubricants can also help ease symptoms, especially painful intercourse.

What is MonaLisa Touch®?

MonaLisa Touch® is a gentle fractional CO2 laser treatment that effectively treats vaginal atrophy by stimulating your body to produce more collagen, a skin-strengthening compound. Using a sterile vaginal probe, MonaLisa Touch treatments apply laser energy to all of the tissue in and around your vagina. The session takes just five minutes.  This laser can help with painful intercourse, vaginal dryness and itching, recurrent urinary tract infections and Lichen sclerosus, a common skin condition.

A single in-office treatment will take less than 5 minutes and most patients will feel a significant benefit after three total treatments, spaced about six weeks apart. The procedure requires no downtime; you can go right back to all your daily activities following. You will be asked to refrain from sexual intercourse for about three days following your treatment.

Dr. Hagberg can help you understand if MonaLisa Touch is the right treatment for you. MonaLisa Touch has helped thousands of women find relief without the use of hormones. Most women tolerate this laser therapy well without any pain or side effects.