The Efficacy of Fractional CO2 Laser in the Treatment of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: A Large Prospective Observational Study
Background: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) majorly caused by the physiological decline in estrogen, affects up to 90% of menopausal women. Hormonal therapy seems to be an effective treatment, often not executable for contraindication or patient’s low compliance to local or systemic medica...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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IMR Press
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.imrpress.com/journal/CEOG/49/9/10.31083/j.ceog4909212 |
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| author | Violante Di Donato Ottavia D'Oria Andrea Giannini Maria Scudo Carmel Sher Margherita Fischetti Giorgia Perniola Innocenza Palaia Marco Monti Ludovico Muzii Pierluigi Benedetti Panici |
| author_facet | Violante Di Donato Ottavia D'Oria Andrea Giannini Maria Scudo Carmel Sher Margherita Fischetti Giorgia Perniola Innocenza Palaia Marco Monti Ludovico Muzii Pierluigi Benedetti Panici |
| author_sort | Violante Di Donato |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) majorly caused by the physiological decline in estrogen, affects up to 90% of menopausal women. Hormonal therapy seems to be an effective treatment, often not executable for contraindication or patient’s low compliance to local or systemic medical therapy. Fractional CO2 laser therapy is an emerging and effective choice for women affected by vulvo-vaginal atrophy (VVA), promoting collagen regeneration and improving blood flow of the vaginal mucosa and elasticity of tissues. Methods: Ninety-two menopausal Patients affected by vulvo-vaginal atrophy (VVA) were considered for the present prospective observational study. All women were treated with Fractional CO2 laser Lumenis AcuPulse in a fractionated sequential mode laser pulse. Patients were requested to complete questionnaires regarding the Female Sexual Functional Index (FSFI), Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) and severity of Most Bothersome Symptoms (MBS) at baseline (T0) and at three-month following three-treatment-sessions (T1). Results: Data indicated a significant improvement of MBS (vaginal itching (p < 0.0001), post-coital vaginal bleeding (p < 0.002), vaginal dryness (p < 0.0001), dyspareunia (p < 0.0001) and dysuria (p < 0.0001), higher Vaginal Health Index Score (VHIS) (4.1 ± 1.21; 95% CI = 3.84–4.35) and reduces pH (–0.53 ± 0.24; 95% CI = 0.48–0.58) after CO2 laser treatment. A significantly improvement of FSFI Total score (p < 0.0001) and FSDS (p < 0.0001) have been demonstrated. Conclusions: Fractional CO2 laser improves vaginal health as well as signs and symptoms associated with GSM, while significantly elevating quality of life and sexual functionality among postmenopausal symptomatic women. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T18:18:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-350648107b3d475f954a99026ddfe039 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0390-6663 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T18:18:39Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | IMR Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology |
| spelling | doaj.art-350648107b3d475f954a99026ddfe0392022-12-22T03:21:31ZengIMR PressClinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology0390-66632022-09-0149921210.31083/j.ceog4909212S0390-6663(22)01889-9The Efficacy of Fractional CO2 Laser in the Treatment of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: A Large Prospective Observational StudyViolante Di Donato0Ottavia D'Oria1Andrea Giannini2Maria Scudo3Carmel Sher4Margherita Fischetti5Giorgia Perniola6Innocenza Palaia7Marco Monti8Ludovico Muzii9Pierluigi Benedetti Panici10Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University, Umberto I Hospital, 00161 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, PhD Course in “Translational Medicine and Oncology'', Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, PhD Course in “Translational Medicine and Oncology'', Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University, Umberto I Hospital, 00161 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University, Umberto I Hospital, 00161 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University, Umberto I Hospital, 00161 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University, Umberto I Hospital, 00161 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University, Umberto I Hospital, 00161 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University, Umberto I Hospital, 00161 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University, Umberto I Hospital, 00161 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University, Umberto I Hospital, 00161 Rome, ItalyBackground: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) majorly caused by the physiological decline in estrogen, affects up to 90% of menopausal women. Hormonal therapy seems to be an effective treatment, often not executable for contraindication or patient’s low compliance to local or systemic medical therapy. Fractional CO2 laser therapy is an emerging and effective choice for women affected by vulvo-vaginal atrophy (VVA), promoting collagen regeneration and improving blood flow of the vaginal mucosa and elasticity of tissues. Methods: Ninety-two menopausal Patients affected by vulvo-vaginal atrophy (VVA) were considered for the present prospective observational study. All women were treated with Fractional CO2 laser Lumenis AcuPulse in a fractionated sequential mode laser pulse. Patients were requested to complete questionnaires regarding the Female Sexual Functional Index (FSFI), Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) and severity of Most Bothersome Symptoms (MBS) at baseline (T0) and at three-month following three-treatment-sessions (T1). Results: Data indicated a significant improvement of MBS (vaginal itching (p < 0.0001), post-coital vaginal bleeding (p < 0.002), vaginal dryness (p < 0.0001), dyspareunia (p < 0.0001) and dysuria (p < 0.0001), higher Vaginal Health Index Score (VHIS) (4.1 ± 1.21; 95% CI = 3.84–4.35) and reduces pH (–0.53 ± 0.24; 95% CI = 0.48–0.58) after CO2 laser treatment. A significantly improvement of FSFI Total score (p < 0.0001) and FSDS (p < 0.0001) have been demonstrated. Conclusions: Fractional CO2 laser improves vaginal health as well as signs and symptoms associated with GSM, while significantly elevating quality of life and sexual functionality among postmenopausal symptomatic women.https://www.imrpress.com/journal/CEOG/49/9/10.31083/j.ceog4909212vulvovaginal atrophyfractional co2 lasermenopauselaser safetygenitourinary syndrome |
| spellingShingle | Violante Di Donato Ottavia D'Oria Andrea Giannini Maria Scudo Carmel Sher Margherita Fischetti Giorgia Perniola Innocenza Palaia Marco Monti Ludovico Muzii Pierluigi Benedetti Panici The Efficacy of Fractional CO2 Laser in the Treatment of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: A Large Prospective Observational Study Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology vulvovaginal atrophy fractional co2 laser menopause laser safety genitourinary syndrome |
| title | The Efficacy of Fractional CO2 Laser in the Treatment of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: A Large Prospective Observational Study |
| title_full | The Efficacy of Fractional CO2 Laser in the Treatment of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: A Large Prospective Observational Study |
| title_fullStr | The Efficacy of Fractional CO2 Laser in the Treatment of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: A Large Prospective Observational Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Efficacy of Fractional CO2 Laser in the Treatment of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: A Large Prospective Observational Study |
| title_short | The Efficacy of Fractional CO2 Laser in the Treatment of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: A Large Prospective Observational Study |
| title_sort | efficacy of fractional co2 laser in the treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause a large prospective observational study |
| topic | vulvovaginal atrophy fractional co2 laser menopause laser safety genitourinary syndrome |
| url | https://www.imrpress.com/journal/CEOG/49/9/10.31083/j.ceog4909212 |
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