As uncomfortable as it is painful, vaginal atrophy affects approximately 40% of postmenopausal women. It is characterised by sensations of burning, irritation, and pain during sexual intercourse. Vaginal atrophy is also common in women who have undergone treatments for breast cancer. In this case, it occurs quite early. To manage it, laser treatment Monalisa Touch can be considered. It can be applied in most women.
Monalisa Touch Laser, the singular method for treating vaginal atrophy.
Summary
Published on April 25, 2025, by Lilia, Scientific Editor — 6 min of reading
Themes:
What is vaginal atrophy?
The ovaries naturally produce oestrogen. This hormone ensures the lubrication of the vagina, essential for the cleansing of the vaginal cavity as well as the expulsion of dead cells and harmful bacteria. It also promotes the elasticity of the vaginal muscles. The production of this hormone decreases over time and this disorder is often associated with menopause. However, this atrophy can be accelerated by the intake of certain medications, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or hypothalamic dysfunction. Women pre-menopausal can also develop a temporary hypoestrogenic state during breastfeeding.
Vaginal atrophy is characterised by the thinning of the mucous membrane and a decrease in the production of vaginal fluid. As a result, the individual may experience burning, irritation or painful sexual intercourse. As for the vaginal flora, its self-defence mechanism against infections weakens. The need to urinate frequently is another symptom of vaginal atrophy.
What is the Monalisa Touch laser treatment?
The Monalisa Touch laser is a treatment that utilises CO2 fractionation. The fractional CO₂ laser emits tiny laser light beams that penetrate the vaginal mucosa in a highly targeted manner. It creates micro-lesions (very small treatment areas) deep within while leaving the surrounding tissues intact, stimulating a natural healing response. This action promotes the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid, as well as tissue regeneration. Moreover, the Monalisa Touch laser treatment activates the production of glycogen. The latter feeds Lactobacillus bacteria and contributes to the acidification of the vagina's pH. A Monalisa Touch laser session lasts between 5 and 10 minutes.
The treatment with the Monalisa Touch laser is painless and does not require the use of anaesthesia. On average, a patient undergoes between 1 and 3 sessions. The number varies depending on the severity of the symptoms. Each session should be spaced 40 to 60 days apart. Following this, a session is recommended every year to maintain the results.
A study sought to demonstrate the effectiveness of fractional CO2 laser treatment for managing vaginal atrophy. 50 pre-menopausal or menopausal women suffering from vaginal atrophy (average age of 60 years), were treated and the results were given after 3 laser sessions over 12 weeks. The results indicated that the fractional CO2 laser was effective in 84 % of patients for treating symptoms of vaginal atrophy such as vaginal dryness, burning, vaginal itching, dyspareunia and dysuria.
What are the side effects of the Monalisa Touch laser?
The Monalisa Touch laser treatment is not painful. The patient merely experiences some vibrations. After the session, slight bleeding may occur, but this is temporary. Similarly, the redness and minor swelling disappear after one or two days. Also, the individual should wait 3 to 4 days after the procedure before resuming sexual activities. There are no contraindications for the Monalisa Touch laser treatment.
The Monalisa Touch laser provides results from the first procedure. These results then reach their optimum in the following months and last between 9 and 16 months.
Sources
MAGIORRE L.R. & al. A 12-week treatment with fractional CO2 laser for vulvovaginal atrophy: a pilot study. Climacteric (2014).
MAGIORRE L.R. & al. Sexual function after fractional microablative CO₂ laser in women with vulvovaginal atrophy. Climacteric (2015).
CERVIGNI M. & al. Vaginal erbium laser: the second-generation thermotherapy for the genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Climacteric (2015).
FERNANDES C.E. & al. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial for evaluating the efficacy of fractional CO2 laser compared with topical estriol in the treatment of vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women. The Journal of the Menopause Society (2018).
HILLARD T. C & al. Lasers in the era of evidence-based medicine. Climacteric (2020).
DELDAR PASIKHANI M. & al. Fractional CO2 Laser for Treatment of Vulvovaginal Atrophy: A Short Time Follow-up. Journal of Family and reproductive Health (2020).
SUVIT B. & al. Treatment for vaginal atrophy using microablative fractional CO2 laser: a randomized double-blinded sham-controlled trial. The Journal of the Menopause Society (2020).
HALL C. A. & al. Atrophic Vaginitis. Pharmacal advance (2022).
