Sindou-Faurie T, Louis-Vahdat C, Oueld Es Cheikh E, Canlorbe G, Mergui JL, Uzan C, Azaïs H. Evaluation of the efficacy of fractional CO
2 laser in the treatment of vulvar and vaginal menopausal symptoms.
Arch Gynecol Obstet 2020;
303:955-963. [PMID:
33179118 DOI:
10.1007/s00404-020-05868-w]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE
The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of fractional CO2 laser to manage vulvar and vaginal symptoms of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) in postmenopausal women.
METHODS
All postmenopausal women with symptoms of GSM undergoing fractional CO2 laser treatment in our centers were asked to fill out a validated quality of life questionnaire (Global Quality of Life Questionnaire), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for symptoms, a questionnaire on overall discomfort related to pelvic floor symptoms, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) at several points: before each session (three sessions at monthly intervals) and one 3 months after treatment completion. Statistical analysis compared pre-therapy data and data at 3 months of treatment.
RESULTS
Forty-six women were included with a mean age of 57.3 years (± 11.1 years). A significant improvement was demonstrated in vaginal dryness (p = 6.34 10-6) and for symptoms of stress urinary incontinence (p = 0.043). Among sexually active patients, there was a significant improvement in the degree of symptom discomfort affecting their satisfaction (p = 0.007), dyspareunia (p = 0.001) and sensitivity during sexual intercourse (p = 0.001). Significantly, more women were able to achieve (p = 0.026) and maintain (p = 0.018) lubrication during intercourse.
CONCLUSION
CO2 laser treatment seems to improve the quality of life and sexual health of patients as well as GSM symptoms at 3 months of treatment; long-term reevaluation is necessary to demonstrate that improvement persists over time.
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