This life-changing laser therapy is helping many women find relief from menopausal vaginal pain and dryness.
Since introducing the Mona Lisa Touch laser to the Toledo area three months ago, urogynecologist Dr. Andrew Croak has treated over 60 patients seeking relief from symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Personal practice results have been astounding with over 90 percent of patients describing significant reductions in symptoms.
GSM involves symptoms such as vaginal dryness, itching, painful intercourse, bladder urgency with frequency, and recurrent vaginal or bladder infections. Women often suffer in silence, limited by resources or treatment options. They may often believe it is the inevitable part of aging.
According to Dr. Croak, director of the Northwest Ohio Center for Urogynecology & Woman’s Health, GSM results in part from substantial reductions in estrogenization after menopause. The pelvic floor, which is heavily estrogen dependent, weakens and tissues go from being thick and moist to paper thin and dry. The whole pelvic floor may become highly irritative.
As the director of a highly reputable subspecialty medical-surgical practice, Dr. Croak only offers treatments, including the Mona Lisa Touch laser, based on sound science. He goes on to say, “if I cannot back up what treatment options I offer to patients with legitimate scientific data, I do not offer it.” Although recently approved for use in the U.S. by the FDA in 2014, this laser technology has been used in Europe over the past five years with over 90 percent long term success in treating women with the above symptoms.
“U.S. trial data currently mirrors that of in Europe and my practice takes great ethical solace in counseling patients that the Mona Lisa Touch laser is truly living up to its expectation.” Dr. Croak underscores that this therapy is not “cosmetic vaginal rejuvenation” which has lacked any legitimate research results.
The Mona Lisa Touch laser works by delivering painless pulses of CO2 laser energy to the vaginal wall. The laser stimulates fibroblastic growth, which in turn regenerates a healthy blood supply and stimulates collagen growth. Consequently, vaginal health improves with increased thickness and elasticity, improved moisturization, and a more acidic pH.
Thus, vaginal pain and dryness, bladder irritability, and urogenital infection substantially decrease. This treatment works so well that the vast majority of woman on vaginal estrogen or lubricants may no longer need them. Only one third of patients may require an annual treatment. The treatment is often 5 minutes or less and requires no anesthesia or down time.
This game-changing therapy has been particularly valuable for the large populations of women with GSM who cannot take hormonal therapy, including breast cancer survivors or those with vascular contraindications. Even if women do not have any medical contraindications to vaginal estrogen, their insurance policies make the price financially restrictive by sometimes charging as much as $300 for a short supply. Although insurance does not cover the cost of Mona Lisa laser therapy, Dr. Croak points out, “the laser quickly becomes the better value when one has to spend in excess of $2,000-$3,000 per year for vaginal estrogen and overactive bladder medicines.”
LM: “I highly recommend at my age 70. I don’t have the dryness and itchiness and burning. As far as leakage, I don’t have that any more. As far as my bathroom trips at night, I am down to one at night from 3-4 per night.”
DK: “I highly recommend the Mona Lisa Procedure. I have experienced relief from symptoms that I suffered with for years. I can honestly say that I have had excellent results and that the procedure is comfortable and painless. The impact on my life has been tremendous -- improved intimacy has brought about a higher quality of life! My husband said that had we known about this procedure sooner, we would have bought a passport and flown to Europe to have it done! It is money well spent. A sincere thank you to Dr. Croak and staff for their professional and compassionate care.”
In addition to GSM, trials are soon to be under way for women suffering from lichen sclerosis, stress incontinence, vulvodynia, and interstitial cystitis, since women are anecdotally reporting side benefit.
The Northwest Ohio Center for Urogynecology & Women’s Health often has special promotions to help educate women and improve access for treatment. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, breast cancer survivors or those undergoing therapy would be extended a 20 percent discount off the treatment package, good until Nov. 1. Further details may be discussed by calling Dr. Croak’s office.
To find out more information about Dr. Croak visit: NWOUrogynecology.com
First Published December 19, 2015, 5:00 a.m.
