Vaginal ageing is one of those subjects that is often too hot to be covered by the media, but not by Costhetics! In today’s article, we’re talking freely and without embarrassment about vaginal ageing and the problems it can create.
We’ll also talk about a revolutionary solution for this all-too-common complaint. It’s an innovative laser procedure that has women over 50 talking, and smiling like Mona Lisa, herself.
Costhetics Explains the Basics of Vaginal Atrophy
Vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) is an extremely common condition associated with decreased oestrogen production. Times that women often experience a drop in oestrogen that will lead to thinner, drier, less elastic vaginal tissue include:
- During the years leading up to menopause
- During breast-feeding
- After surgical removal of both ovaries
- After pelvic radiation therapy for cancer
- After chemotherapy for cancer
- As a side effect of breast cancer hormonal treatment
The most common cause of VVA, however, is simple ageing. As a woman grows older, her oestrogen levels drop, triggering changes in the lining of the vagina. As a result, while VVA can occur at any time, it’s most likely to be experienced by post-menopausal women in their 50’s and older.
The 3 Most Common Signs of Vaginal Ageing in Women Over 50
Symptoms of vaginal ageing vary from woman to woman, and include:
- Thinning of the vaginal walls
- Shortening and tightening of the vaginal canal
- Vaginal dryness
- Inflammation (vaginal burning)
- Painful urination
- Frequent urinary tract infections
The three most common complaints about vaginal aging are:
- Painful intercourse
- Urinary incontinence
- Post-coital bleeding*
*A post-menopausal woman who experiences vaginal bleeding of any kind should consult her doctor immediately. Vaginal bleeding after menopause can be the sign of an underlying health concern.
Patients Perspective: MonaLisa Touch for Vaginal Rejuvenation
Lasers continue to transform the cosmetic enhancement industry, and they are now making a tremendous impact on treatments for vaginal atrophy. The MonaLisa Touch laser treatment stimulates collagen formation underneath the vaginal skin, promotes proliferation of the cells, and facilitates restoration of blood supply. A month after treatment, most patients experience
- Regeneration of new tissue in the vaginal walls
- Improvements in volume, hydration, and elasticity
Laser vaginal rejuvenation is popular with women over 50 for a variety of reasons. “A local anaesthetic cream in the vulval area made the treatment completely painless,” reports one patient. “All I felt during the five minute treatment was a mild vibration.”
Typically, patients require three to four sessions, spaced a month apart, to achieve their goals. “There’s no downtime after the treatment, so it was easy for me to fit the visits into my schedule, even though I’m pretty busy,” reports one patient.
Pain tolerance is highly individualised. Some women report slight localised pain immediately following the laser treatment and during the first few days after the session. “When the effects of the anaesthetic cream wore off, I experienced mild discomfort and a little bleeding for a couple of days, similar to a light period,” says another woman. “I also had stinging when using the toilet for three days.”
If there’s a downside to the MonaLisa Touch treatment, it’s that intercourse is not recommended for 5-7 days following treatment. “I wanted to show off the new me,” says on woman. “It was hard to wait!”
If you can’t wait to discover more about how the MonaLisa Touch can help with the physical and emotional pain of vaginal atrophy, Costhetics recommends you contact your medical specialists to see if laser vaginal rejuvenation is right for you.