Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation / Tightening

INTRODUCTION

• With ageing, the facial skin tissue loses elasticity and sagging occurs. The same occurs to the genital area and vaginal lining. However, the most common cause of vaginal wall laxity is overstretching of the vaginal wall during childbirth, which worsens with the number of child deliveries.
• Loss of tissue tensile strength can also result in an increase in the inner diameter of the vaginal wall. It can result in loss of friction and sexual satisfaction for both the woman and her partner.
• Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation is a non-invasive procedure that can address these conditions. In addition it is also used to rejuvenate the outer part of the female genital (labia minora and labia majora). It can treat stress incontinence but not all types of urinary incontinence.
• Urinary incontinence (leakage of urine) is also frequently noted in patients with vaginal laxity.
  There are different types of urinary incontinence :
  • Stress Incontinence – urine leakage caused by activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure, such as coughing, sneezing and laughing. This is due to weakness in the pelvic floor muscles.
  • Urge Incontinence – urine leakage caused by an overactive bladder resulting in involuntary loss of urine occurring when the patient suddenly feels the urge to urinate. This can be due to issues in the bladder nerves or muscles.
  • Overflow Incontinence – urine leakage due of inability to totally empty your bladder, which is usually caused by a weakened bladder and blockage within the ureters.
• This procedure uses a laser probe inserted into the vagina canal that emits Er:YAG non-ablative laser for tightening the vaginal wall. It heats up the genital mucosa to initiate collagen remodelling and subsequent production of new collagen.
• The final result of collagen neogenesis is the shrinking and tightening of vaginal mucosa tissue and collagen-rich endopelvic fascia and subsequently greater support to the bladder and the return of normal continence function.
• This procedure has been reported to provide over 90% patient and partner satisfaction rate.
• This treatment consists of 2 laser sessions done 6-8 weeks apart. Significant results are usually felt by 6 weeks.

Vaginal Tightening
Courtesy of: Fotona
Laser source: Fractional Er:YAG

Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment
Courtesy of: Fotona
Laser source: Fractional Er:YAG

SUITABLE CANDIDATES

• Vaginal muscle and lining laxity resulting in dissatisfaction in both partners.
• Urinary incontinence (involuntary passage of urine while laughing, coughing and sneezing)

DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE

• Two laser sessions – 6 to 8 weeks apart
• Pap Smear done prior to the procedure.
• Sedation can be given according to patient’s preference.
• Application of topical anaesthesia (numbing cream) to the genital area
• Insertion of laser probe for vaginal tightening.
• Laser treatment to the labia for further tightening and rejuvenation.
• Application of antibiotic cream to the outer genital area
• Duration of procedure : 30-45 minutes
• Patient can go home on the same day.

ANAESTHESIA

• Topical anaesthesia + IV Sedation – Sedation can be given according to patient’s preference.

POST OPERATIVE CARE

• Medication : Oral and topical antibiotics, analgesics (pain relief).
• Avoid activities that will exert pressure to the groin for 2-3 days.
• May resume sexual activity after 1 week.
• 2^nd laser session in 6-8 weeks

RISK AND CAUTION

• Patient may experience transient vaginal dryness for up to 1 week.

REFERENCE

• Novel Minimally Invasive VSP Er:YAG Laser Treatments in Gynecology
  Vizintin Z, Rivera M, Fistonić I, Saraçoglu F, Guimares P, Gaviria J, Garcia V, Lukac M, Perhavec T, Marini L.
  Journal of the Laser and Health Academy, Vol. 2012, No. 1, P. 46-58.
• Minimally invasive laser procedure for early stages of stress urinary incontinence (SUI)
  Fistonić I, Findri-Guštek Š, Fistonić N.
  Journal of the Laser and Health Academy, Vol. 2012, No. 1, P. 67-74.