title: Light and energy based therapeutics for genitourinary syndrome of menopause: Consensus and controversies.
abstract: Gynecologist and plastic surgeons pioneered the application of lasers in medicine and surgery almost 5 decades ago, initially used to treat cervical and vaginal pathologies. Ever since, energy-based devices have been deployed to treat pelvic pathologies and improve fertility. Recent technological developments triggered an unprecedented wave of publications, assessing the efficacy of fractional laser, and radiofrequency on the vaginal wall in reversing natural aging processes. Studies have shown that a certain degree of thermal energy deposited on the vaginal wall stimulates proliferation of the glycogen-enriched epithelium, neovascularization, and collagen formation in the lamina propria, and improves natural lubrication and control of urination. This review aimed to review such data and to guide future research. A unique assembly of experts from around the globe, compiled and edited this manuscript based on a thorough literature review and personal experience. Lasers Surg. Med. 49:137-159, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors.affiliation: Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine, California.
authors.forename: Yona
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tadir
authors.affiliation: Department of Laser Surgery, Mendoza Hospital, Mendoza, Argentina.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gaspar
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Ahinoam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lev-Sagie
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Macrene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alexiades
authors.affiliation: South Coast Urogynecology, Laguna Beach, California.
authors.forename: Red
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alinsod
authors.affiliation: Reconstruction & Cosmetic Gynecology, London, UK.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bader
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Calligaro
authors.affiliation: Urogynecology and Aesthetic Gynecology Clinic, Boenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Jorge A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Elias
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gambaciani
authors.affiliation: Aesthetics and Laser Medical Educational Center, Korpo Laser, Caracas, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Jorge E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Gaviria
authors.affiliation: Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia.
authors.forename: Cheryl B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Iglesia
authors.affiliation: Kalliste Medical Center, Domzale, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Ksenija
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Selih-Martinec
authors.affiliation: Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia.
authors.forename: Patricia L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Mwesigwa
authors.affiliation: Juna Clinic, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Urska B
authors.initials: UB
authors.lastname: Ogrinc
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salvatore
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cannizzaro Hospital, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Scollo
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zerbinati
authors.affiliation: Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine, California.
authors.forename: John Stuart
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D052776:Female Urogenital Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008593:Menopause; D013577:Syndrome
keywords: energy based device; genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM); laser; lichen sclerosus; vulvodynia; radiofrequency; rejuvenation; stress urinary incontinence (SUI); vagina; vulva