Whether the result of menopause or “medical menopause,” declining estrogen levels can cause all kinds of unpleasant and life-disrupting symptoms. These can include everything from vaginal dryness and pain during sex to urinary incontinence and frequent UTIs.
Estrogen replacement therapy is often recommended for treating these symptoms, but it’s not the only solution you should be aware of.
If vaginal dryness, pain during intercourse, or urinary incontinence are getting in the way of living your life to the fullest, the MonaLisa Touch® can provide relief and hope for reclaiming your life and restoring your confidence.
At ChristiMD Medical Group, we provide Mona Lisa laser treatment in Katy to address many of the most frustrating symptoms of menopause, vaginal atrophy, and GSM (genitourinary syndrome of menopause).
What is medical menopause?
Medical menopause, also referred to as medically induced menopause, is when intense medical treatments, like chemotherapy, cause the ovaries to stop functioning before the natural onset of menopause. The progression of medical menopause is typically much faster than regular menopause, and the symptoms tend to be more severe.
Breast cancer survivors aren’t always the best candidates for traditional estrogen replacement therapy, though we do offer topical creams that can be safely applied to the outer area of the vagina. In addition to topical creams, breast cancer survivors and women with a family history of breast cancer can also get Mona Lisa laser treatments for powerful symptom relief.
What is GSM?
GSM, or genitourinary syndrome of menopause, is a fairly broad term that describes the genital, sexual, and urinary symptoms associated with menopause. These symptoms can include:
- Vaginal dryness
- Decreased lubrication
- Decreased sexual pleasure and desire
- Bleeding or spotting during or after intercourse
- Pain during sexual activities
- Frequent urinary tract infections, or UTIs
- Thinning of the vaginal walls
- Urinary incontinence
Millions of women in the United States are impacted by GSM symptoms. We understand how painful, discouraging, and embarrassing they can be. At ChristiMD, our goal is to empower women through top-rated compassionate care for restoring pelvic health.
What is lichen sclerosus?
Lichen sclerosus is a vulvar disorder that affects genital tissue, causing irritation, pain, itching, and changes to the skin. It can cause the skin of the vulva to thin, discolor, and become severely itchy. Left untreated, lichen sclerosus can lead to pain during sex and urination. Scratching and itching the irritated skin can also cause blisters and lesions to form.
The condition is most common in women between the ages of 40 and 60 who have already gone through menopause. Hormonal changes appear to play a major role in the onset of symptoms, but the underlying cause or causes of lichen sclerosus are still unclear.
Mysterious origins aside, the symptoms are treatable. Getting Mona Lisa laser treatment in Katy can help reduce inflammation associated with lichen sclerosus and encourage healing.
What is vaginal atrophy?
Vaginal atrophy is when the vaginal walls become thinner, dry, and inflamed as a result of a drop in estrogen levels. The symptoms of vaginal atrophy often include pain during intercourse, decreased lubrication, as well as bladder and urinary symptoms.
According to a report published by the National Institutes of Health, 15% of women experience vaginal atrophy before menopause, and 40 to 57% of postmenopausal women experience these symptoms.
If it seems like there’s some overlap between GSM and vaginal atrophy, you’re on the right track. Today, vaginal atrophy is often included under the diagnostic criteria of GSM.
Treating Your Symptoms With Mona Lisa Laser Treatments
Your symptoms may be severe, and it might feel like there’s too many to keep track of. But the good news is that there’s nothing overwhelming about MonaLisa Touch.
Mona Lisa laser treatments in Katy offer patients a fast, gentle, nonsurgical solution for resolving many of the most troubling symptoms of vaginal atrophy, GSM, and other conditions affecting menopausal and postmenopausal women.
What is the MonaLisa Touch?
MonaLisa Touch is a noninvasive laser treatment used to treat the symptoms of GSM, vaginal atrophy, and lichen sclerosus. Using fractional CO2 laser technology, the MonaLisa Touch delivers thousands of concentrated bursts of light to treat the vaginal tissue. This prompts new cell growth, stimulates collagen and elastin production, and generates new blood vessels.
What are the benefits of MonaLisa Touch?
Some of the benefits of getting Mona Lisa laser treatment in Katy can include:
- Improved lubrication
- Increased pleasure and desire for intercourse
- Healthier vaginal environment for better, more balanced flora
- Increased blood flow
- Reduced UTI risk
- Improved bladder control
How does MonaLisa Touch work?
Mona Lisa laser treatments work by eliminating unhealthy vaginal tissue and prompting regeneration and restoration. To get technical, the carbon dioxide lasers stimulate dormant fibrocytes to activate and produce more collagen. As with skin treatments, boosting collagen can help to increase and maintain volume, elasticity, and moisture.
As mentioned earlier, the MonaLisa touch also stimulates your body to increase the number of blood vessels in the area, leading to improved local blood circulation.
Who are the best candidates for MonaLisa Touch?
The ideal candidates for Mona Lisa laser treatments in Katy are:
- People who have gone through menopause
- Breast cancer survivors
- Women with chronically low estrogen
- Anyone experiencing the previously discussed symptoms associated with vaginal atrophy, GSM, or lichen sclerosus
If you’re unsure if you’re a good fit for MonaLisa Touch, the best way to find out is to book a consultation with an expert who specializes in sexual dysfunction and overall pelvic health.
At ChristiMD, we always tailor treatment plans to fit our patients’ needs and goals. If it turns out MonaLisa Touch isn’t for you, we’ll be sure to find the best possible treatment for your needs, your goals, and your body.
What to Expect From Your Mona Lisa Laser Treatment in Katy
When the lining of your vaginal walls become dry, thin, and fragile, it can be hard to enjoy sex and life as much as you used to. But thanks to the Italian innovators at DEKA, getting back to the way things were has never been easier.
Your Consultation
Coming in for your consultation gives us a chance to get to know you and customize a treatment plan to support your unique needs and help you achieve your goals.
We’ll examine your areas of concern and ask you about your medical history and any prescription medications you’re currently taking.
If we determine you’re a good candidate for MonaLisa Touch, we’ll walk you through your next steps and what to expect from treatment.
Your Treatment
The MonaLisa Touch procedure is minimally invasive, painless, and lasts only about 5 minutes. One of our expert providers will identify unhealthy areas in your vaginal tissue and use the laser gently to remove them.
Your expert provider will insert the handheld probe into the vagina, where the laser will target the outer layer of the vaginal walls.
Your Results & Next Steps
For the best possible results, we usually prescribe an initial round of 3 sessions spaced 4 weeks apart. Full results can take a couple of weeks to develop, but many of our patients experience improvements immediately or soon after treatment.
You may experience some mild to moderate discomfort, soreness, or discharge after your Mona Lisa laser treatment in Katy, but these side effects rarely last longer than 48 to 72 hours. To ensure a speedy recovery and to minimize discomfort, we often recommend patients avoid intercourse and certain other activities for 3 to 5 days after treatment.
Complementary Treatments
Emfemme 360
Instead of lasers, the Emfemme 360 uses RF (or radiofrequency) to produce heat that goes deep into the vaginal tissue to stimulate collagen production. Emfemme treatments can improve vaginal laxity, including laxity caused by childbirth. It can also tighten your labia, improve vaginal dryness, boost bladder control, increase sensitivity, and improve sexual responsiveness.
Emfemme 360 treatments sessions take only about 10 minutes, and the results tend to last 6 to 12 months. Your treatment plan will most likely include a course of 4 sessions for achieving optimal results followed by touch-up appointments for maintaining them for as long as possible.
Cliovana
CLIOVANA® is a small handheld device that uses ultrasonic sound waves to increase blood flow to the clitoris and perineum. With increased blood flow, Cliovana can help you achieve orgasms quicker, easier, and with greater intensity. It improves responsiveness with painless 10-minute treatments, and you won’t need to take any downtime afterward.
Improvements resulting from Cliovana treatments can take 2 to 3 months to fully develop and can last up to a year or more after your last session. Don’t be surprised if you experience some immediate improvements, but we still typically recommend you complete a full round of 4 sessions to get the best possible results from this noninvasive treatment.
Get Started
At ChristiMD Medical Group, we are forever studying sexual dysfunction and working to provide the best options for optimizing your sexual health.
Your Mona Lisa laser treatment in Katy can help revamp your intimate relationships, including the most intimate relationship of all: your relationship to your own body.
Contact one of our professional, knowledgeable, and compassionate staff with any questions you may have about getting MonaLisa Touch treatments in the Houston area.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Christi, and let’s find the appropriate treatment to give you a boost toward better intimacy.
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