MonaLisa Touch® Laser Vaginal Therapy in Reston

Perfectly Female Women’s Health Care is proud to offer the MonaLisa Touch® to our patients who suffer from Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM).

Frequently, women are reluctant to talk about difficulties with intimacy, which leads to Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) because many perceive this change as a natural process of aging.  GSM is a result of decreased estrogen levels as seen in menopause, premature ovarian failure, breast and uterine cancer survivors, or as a result of certain medications.

Approximately 64 million women in the United States are menopausal and 50% suffer from GSM, also known as Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA).  With women living longer and life expectancies in the 80’s and beyond, over thirty years are spent in menopause.  That’s a long time to not enjoy sexual intimacy!

There are few things in life that are like sex: both enjoyable and healthy.  Sex should be fun, so let’s keep it painless.

Common signs and symptoms of (GSM) are:

• Vaginal dryness
• Vaginal burning and irritation
• Painful intercourse (Dyspareunia)
• Spotting after intercourse
• Small vulvar (outside) cuts or tears
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Urinary stress incontinence

Female Sexual Dysfunction as a result of GSM can lead to feelings of sexual inadequacy, low self-esteem, frustration, and depression.

The MonaLisa Touch® is a gentle, safe, in-office procedure, that requires no anesthesia or time off from work.  This innovative technology utilizes a fractional CO₂ laser that gently delivers heat to the vaginal walls via pinpoint dots of energy that stimulate the growth of collagen, blood vessels, and glycogen.  The end result is a more lush and robust vaginal epithelium with increased elasticity and moisture.  Thousands of women have successfully undergone this therapy, which revitalizes the vagina and restores it to a healthier state.

If you wish to talk about better sex, getting your confidence back, or having your sensuality restored, set up a consultation today with Evelyn Felluca, MD FACOG at our Reston office.

Get your SMILE back with the MonaLisa Touch®!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MonaLisa Touch®?

The MonaLisa Touch® (MLT) is a carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser commonly used for microablative therapy designed to revitalize vaginal tissues and restore them to a healthier condition.  This technology was developed in Milan, Italy, where it was given its name in honor of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting.

Why would I use this Therapy?

Of the 64 million women in the United States that are postmenopausal, over 50% suffer from painful intercourse (dyspareunia) due to reduced estrogen.  This decline in estrogen results in chronic progressive dryness, irritation, and thinning of the vaginal tissues.  In turn, this leads to tearing, burning, and occasional bleeding, which are signs and symptoms of vulvaginal atrophy (VVA), also known as Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM).  However, VVA can occur before menopause in premature ovarian failure, after pregnancy, during chemotherapy, and as a side effect of certain medications.  As the vulvar and vaginal tissues thin and lose their elasticity, there is a decrease in blood vessels that carry nutrients and water to the cells, which further constricts the vaginal opening and shortens the vaginal length.  Recurrent vaginal tract infections occur as the vaginal pH rises.  Frequent urination and urinary stress incontinence are also common symptoms.  Patients with Lichen Sclerosus benefit from this therapy as well.  If you have any of these symptoms, the MonaLisa Touch® might be right for you.

How does the MonaLisa Touch® work?

A long thin vaginal probe that contains the carbon dioxide (CO₂) fractional laser is gently inserted into the vagina.  This type of laser has been used in dermatology to treat acne, scars, and other conditions for years before becoming a gynecological treatment.  The laser’s light emits energy to the vaginal walls via tiny precise dots in a radial fashion (360 degrees) along the entire length of the vagina.  If treatment to the vulva or outside is needed, a separate device is used to create tiny dots on the external tissues.  This microabrasive procedure stimulates the growth of new blood vessels, fibroblasts, and glycogen, producing new collagen and revitalizing the tissues.  In simpler terms, this device stimulates the body to generate the vaginal walls, making them more elastic and healthier.

What will I feel during the procedure?

The procedure is painless and requires no anesthesia, although we recommend applying a local anesthetic, a numbing cream, to the outside.  This will help with initial insertion of the device or for treatments to the outside, the vulva.  Occasionally, patients report a tingling sensation during the procedure.

MonaLisa Touch® Results