Maintenance Laser Treatment for Vaginal Looseness and Sexual Dysfunction: A Double-blinded Randomized Controlled Trial.
CO2 laser
FSFI
Maintenance
Sexual Function
VHI
Vaginal Looseness
Journal
The journal of sexual medicine
ISSN: 1743-6109
Titre abrégé: J Sex Med
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 101230693
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
09 2022
09 2022
Historique:
received:
25
11
2021
revised:
11
05
2022
accepted:
19
06
2022
pubmed:
22
7
2022
medline:
31
8
2022
entrez:
21
7
2022
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Vaginal looseness and decreased sensation during intercourse is prevalent in up to 30%-55% of premenopausal women. The efficacy and safety of CO2 laser have been demonstrated for these indications; however, the effect is temporary, up to 6-12 months. No studies regarding the efficacy and safety of adjuvant laser treatments have been conducted to date. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a single maintenance CO This prospective double-blinded randomized controlled trial included premenopausal women who experienced significant temporary improvement in symptoms following previous treatment with CO2 laser due to the abovementioned indications. Participants were randomized to either a single CO2 laser treatment or a single sham treatment. Treatment efficacy evaluated with the female sexual function index (FSFI) and the vaginal health index (VHI). Overall, 119 women were included in the study. Mean VHI and FSFI scores were significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group at three months post-treatment (17.34±1.39 vs 12.86±2.23, P = .023 and 30.93±1.79 vs 25.78±1.87, P = .044, respectively). In the study group, both VHI and FSFI returned to baseline at six months post-treatment. The median rate of sexual intercourse per month was increased in the study group at three months post-treatment (8 vs 4, P = .011), and returned to baseline at six months post-treatment. Maintenance laser treatment provides a temporary non-surgical alternative for women with vaginal looseness and associated sexual dysfunction, though treatment effect seems to be limited to less than 6 months, requiring additional maintenance sessions. The strengths of the current study include a randomized-sham controlled design. Furthermore, VHI was used as an objective evaluation tool, in addition to the FSFI, and assessment of the rate of sexual intercourse. The homogeneity and the relatively small sample size of the cohort is a limitation, and calls for caution in interpretation of the results, and the use of CO2 laser treatment in different age groups and populations. A single maintenance laser treatment in women who previously underwent successful treatment with laser is an effective, well-tolerated, and safe procedure for treating symptoms of vaginal looseness and sexual dysfunction, though effects are temporary. Lauterbach R, Aharoni S, Farago N, et al. Maintenance Laser Treatment for Vaginal Looseness and Sexual Dysfunction: A Double-blinded Randomized Controlled Trial. J Sex Med 2022;19:1404-1411.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Vaginal looseness and decreased sensation during intercourse is prevalent in up to 30%-55% of premenopausal women. The efficacy and safety of CO2 laser have been demonstrated for these indications; however, the effect is temporary, up to 6-12 months. No studies regarding the efficacy and safety of adjuvant laser treatments have been conducted to date.
AIM
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a single maintenance CO
METHODS
This prospective double-blinded randomized controlled trial included premenopausal women who experienced significant temporary improvement in symptoms following previous treatment with CO2 laser due to the abovementioned indications. Participants were randomized to either a single CO2 laser treatment or a single sham treatment.
OUTCOMES
Treatment efficacy evaluated with the female sexual function index (FSFI) and the vaginal health index (VHI).
RESULTS
Overall, 119 women were included in the study. Mean VHI and FSFI scores were significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group at three months post-treatment (17.34±1.39 vs 12.86±2.23, P = .023 and 30.93±1.79 vs 25.78±1.87, P = .044, respectively). In the study group, both VHI and FSFI returned to baseline at six months post-treatment. The median rate of sexual intercourse per month was increased in the study group at three months post-treatment (8 vs 4, P = .011), and returned to baseline at six months post-treatment.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
Maintenance laser treatment provides a temporary non-surgical alternative for women with vaginal looseness and associated sexual dysfunction, though treatment effect seems to be limited to less than 6 months, requiring additional maintenance sessions.
STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS
The strengths of the current study include a randomized-sham controlled design. Furthermore, VHI was used as an objective evaluation tool, in addition to the FSFI, and assessment of the rate of sexual intercourse. The homogeneity and the relatively small sample size of the cohort is a limitation, and calls for caution in interpretation of the results, and the use of CO2 laser treatment in different age groups and populations.
CONCLUSION
A single maintenance laser treatment in women who previously underwent successful treatment with laser is an effective, well-tolerated, and safe procedure for treating symptoms of vaginal looseness and sexual dysfunction, though effects are temporary. Lauterbach R, Aharoni S, Farago N, et al. Maintenance Laser Treatment for Vaginal Looseness and Sexual Dysfunction: A Double-blinded Randomized Controlled Trial. J Sex Med 2022;19:1404-1411.
Identifiants
pubmed: 35863990
pii: S1743-6095(22)01498-9
doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2022.06.010
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Randomized Controlled Trial
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
1404-1411Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2022 International Society for Sexual Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.