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Vaginal laser as a treatment option for vaginal atrophy after menopause or cancer treatment shows great promise. The main attraction being that it is a non-hormonal alternative. Early studies show it to be safe and effective, despite its hefty price tag.

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It is estimated that four to six of every 10 women experiencing menopause suffer from vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. This is due to oestrogen levels dropping which causes the skin lining of the vaginal walls to undergo certain changes. It becomes thinner and loses its elasticity. The glands in the area are no longer able to create natural lubrication during sexual intercourse or otherwise.

Vaginal dryness and the resultant painful intercourse can be a very distressing problem at this stage of life. “It feels like my vagina is too tight…It feels like the skin is going to split…It feels like sandpaper rubbing in my vagina during sex.”

In medical terms, we call this vaginal atrophy; this condition is unfortunately not only confined to women who reach menopause naturally. Women who’ve undergone treatment for breast cancer using chemotherapy and/or anti-oestrogen therapy may also encounter this.

The treatment option that we know definitely works, from research and clinical experience, is vaginal oestrogen treatment. This comes in two product forms: Vagifem (a single-dose vaginal oestrogen tablet) or Premarin cream (inserted into the vagina twice weekly). The dose is low enough so as not to increase oestrogen levels in the bloodstream therefore it potentially cannot cause a recurrence of an oestrogen-sensitive breast cancer.

In some women, and, in particular, breast cancer survivors, the use of oestrogen, even in these dosages is not an acceptable option. Fear of recurrence remains of paramount concern. This is where vaginal laser enters the treatment stage.

This therapy provides many women with relief of the symptoms of vaginal atrophy with no concerns of affecting hormone levels.

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How it works

There are two types of laser machines available in South Africa: RenovaLase – Erbium: YAG laser and Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser.

After a careful gynaecological evaluation for suitability, a local anaesthetic cream is applied to the vaginal area. Thereafter, the laser probe is inserted into the vagina and treatment is started. Each treatment session lasts for about 15-30 minutes. Afterwards, the patient can return to normal activity; the only restriction is no intercourse for a week after the procedure.

The laser heats up the collagen in the connective tissue of the vaginal area. In doing so, it causes changes which encourage new blood vessel and new healthy tissue growth. In other words, the vaginal lining grows thicker and stronger with more elasticity.

Treatment sessions typically are spaced four to six weeks apart. Usually between two to four treatments are required for the desired outcome.