Lecture image placeholder

Premium content

Access to this content requires a subscription. You must be a premium user to view this content.

Monthly subscription - $9.99Pay per view - $4.99Access through your institutionLogin with Underline account
Need help?
Contact us
Lecture placeholder background
VIDEO DOI: https://doi.org/10.48448/mbdk-3v88

poster

AMA Research Challenge 2024

November 07, 2024

Virtual only, United States

Vaginal Rejuvenation by Laser or Radiofrequency: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Background Vaginal rejuvenation refers to a variety of procedures that aim to improve genitourinary function or cosmetics. Local estrogen is the current standard of care to address complaints of vulvovaginal atrophy and vaginal laxity. However, energy-based treatments have become an emerging treatment option. Following an FDA statement in 2018 expressing concern over alleged lack of supporting evidence, laser and radiofrequency treatment of the vagina remains somewhat controversial. Methods The PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases were queried for English-language studies published between November 2018 and June 2024 with terms associated with vaginal rejuvenation, including but not limited to, “vaginal” or “vagina” and “genitourinary syndrome of menopause” or “rejuvenation” or “vulvovaginal atrophy” or “vaginal atrophy”. Searches also included “laser” or “erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet” or “diode” or “carbon dioxide” or “CO2” or “radiofrequency” or “thermal”. Studies were included if they included at least one patient 18 years of age and older undergoing laser or radiofrequency therapy of the vagina for a specific vaginal or lower urinary complaint. Studies with purely cosmetic indications were excluded, as were studies with combined therapies, animal or cadaver models, or participants with active infectious or neoplastic pathology of the genitourinary system. Additionally, studies must have been available in full text and reported clinical outcome data, including standardized measures of patient reported outcomes and qualitative symptom data. Studies that did not explicitly report the presence or absence of adverse effects were excluded. Results A total of 1374 studies were identified (EMBASE=792, PubMed=376, CENTRAL=206). 337 duplicates were excluded and 1059 studies were ultimately screened. 77 studies were included with a total number of 5,143 patients. 27 of these were randomized controlled trials, 40 were prospective interventional studies, and 10 were retrospective studies. A majority (79%) used laser treatment for vaginal rejuvenation. Indication for rejuvenation was stress urinary incontinence in 18 studies and genitourinary syndrome of menopause or its related symptoms in the remaining. 93.5% (N=72/77) of the studies reported improvements in patient-reported outcomes. Just under half (49.4%) of the studies reported at least minor or transient adverse effects of the treatment. These included vaginitis, leukorrhea, vaginal pain, dysuria, and urinary tract infection. Conclusion Laser and radiofrequency treatment of the vagina has demonstrated improvement in patientreported outcomes for genitourinary symptoms associated with vaginal atrophy and urinary incontinence. Adverse effects of vaginal rejuvenation in the literature are minor, suggesting that this is a safe and effective option for patients with post-menopausal complaints requiring vaginal rejuvenation.

Next from AMA Research Challenge 2024

Weighing In: Predicting Postoperative Sensation After Breast Reduction
poster

Weighing In: Predicting Postoperative Sensation After Breast Reduction

AMA Research Challenge 2024

Makayla Kochheiser

07 November 2024

Stay up to date with the latest Underline news!

Select topic of interest (you can select more than one)

PRESENTATIONS

  • All Lectures
  • For Librarians
  • Resource Center
  • Free Trial
Underline Science, Inc.
1216 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA

© 2023 Underline - All rights reserved