Genitourinary syndrome of menopause and the use of laser therapy.
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause is a common condition that left untreated can progress and negatively affect quality of life and sexual function. Laser therapy has a therapeutic role for several gynecologic conditions and most recently has gained interest as a non-hormonal treatment for genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). The laser is well tolerated and may increase thickness of the squamous epithelium and improve vascularity of the vagina. These morphological changes presumably alleviate symptoms of dryness, dyspareunia, and irritation. However, the duration of therapeutic effects and safety of repeated applications at this point is not clear. Further research is needed in the form of controlled studies of the laser and other non-hormonal GSM therapies. The objective of this paper is to review the existing literature describing laser therapy for GSM.
Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA. Electronic address: hutchij2@rwjms.rutgers.edu.
Juana
J
Hutchinson-Colas
Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA; Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
Saya
S
Segal
D055011:Ablation Techniques / Q000379:methods; D001284:Atrophy / Q000628:therapy; D004414:Dyspareunia / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008593:Menopause; D011788:Quality of Life; D012038:Regeneration; D013577:Syndrome; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000628:therapy; D014621:Vagina / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014844:Vulva / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery
Atrophic vaginitis; Fractional CO(2) laser treatment; Genitourinary syndrome; Laser therapy; Postmenopausal symptoms; Vulvo vaginal atrophy