More quality of life thanks to a gentle method

During and especially after the menopause, every woman's body changes. The decline in hormones can also be felt in the vaginal area. Many women complain of dry mucous membranes, among other things, which can lead to pain during sexual intercourse. However, urinary incontinence, burning and itching can also be unpleasant consequences. The first step is to prescribe hormone-free lubricants, moisturising gels and creams. If there is no improvement, hormone-containing suppositories or creams are an option. However, some women cannot use hormone-containing products or these are contraindicated after hormone-dependent cancers, for example

Regeneration of the mucous membrane

The transvaginal laser then offers a gentle and low-risk option. During this treatment, the vaginal tissue is stimulated by means of targeted heating so that collagen fibres and fine blood vessels are formed. This leads to the regeneration of the mucous membrane and the vaginal walls. This improves moisture; the vaginal flora is stabilised and the risk of infection is also reduced. An improvement in urinary incontinence is also possible. Dr Jörg Humburg, Head of the Pelvic Floor Centre and Gynaecology at Bethesda Hospital, recommends this method to women with menopause-related hormonal changes. We are talking about problems caused by dryness in the genital area: Pain, including during sexual intercourse, through to impaired bladder function. "These are good indications, which are also scientifically documented." This is a good alternative, especially if standard therapies such as local hormone treatments and medication for bladder dysfunction do not have the desired effect or if women do not want to use them. "Laser therapy is an interesting approach if conservative treatment doesn't work." Patients with hormone-dependent tumours who are reluctant to have hormones administered to the vagina benefit particularly from this method, continues Dr Humburg. "If, for example, a 35-year-old woman with hormone-dependent breast cancer has limited sexuality and quality of life as a result of the treatment, this can be very bad for the patient." This laser treatment is very suitable for the indications mentioned, summarises Humburg. "It is a good addition to the existing options and allows us to round off our overall pelvic floor centre and gynaecology services."

Painless and low-risk

Dr Humburg emphasises that this treatment at Bethesda Hospital is carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the Swiss Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (SGGG) and has nothing to do with cosmetic treatments. "Because we follow the guidelines, we are a long way from that. It is important to rely on the recommendations of experts in this field."

At Bethesda Hospital, treatment is carried out by doctors who hold a licence for laser therapy. Transvaginal laser treatment is performed on an outpatient basis and without anaesthetic. "Only when we laser the entrance to the vagina do we apply a gel to desensitise the skin." The procedure takes 15 to 30 minutes and is repeated after four to six weeks. "It usually takes three sessions. However, some women are satisfied with the results after just two treatments, so we don't do any more. When asked how long the positive effect lasts, Humburg replies: "The biological processes that are triggered need to be stimulated again and again. It is assumed that they need to be repeated for around a year."

One fly in the ointment, however, is that health insurance companies do not usually cover the costs of this treatment.