Treatment of symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy in premenopausal and menopausal women with the CO2RE intima fractional CO2 laser
Information for nursing staff, 2022, 55(3), 47-51.
P. Dobrev1,2
1 Faculty of Public Health and Health Care, “Prof. Asen Zlatarov” University ‒ Burgas
2 Oncology Complex Center ‒ Burgas
Abstract. Vulvovaginal atrophy is caused by a decrease in the level of estrogen in the vulvovaginal tissue. It reduces the blood supply to the vaginal walls, as a result of which they become thinner and inelastic. Dryness, redness, inflammation, burning sensation, discomfort, dyspareunia appear. Vulvovaginal atrophy affects almost 50% of premenopausal and menopausal women. Unfortunately, only about 25% of affect- ed women seek treatment for the problem. Treatment options for vulvovaginal atrophy include hormone replacement therapy, moisturizers and lubricants, or laser therapy. The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of fractional CO2RE laser therapy for the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy. Material and methods: A data for 34 premenopausal and menopausal patients with symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy were collected. The patients were treated internally and externally with a fractional carbon dioxide CO2 laser system. Three interventions were performed on each patient, one per month. Evaluation of sexual sensitivity, moistening, absence of pain syndrome and dyspareunic complaints and in general the effect of the treatment was carried out by means of a questionnaire. The average index of vaginal health of the patients was evaluated after each of the three procedures, as well as at 6 and 12 weeks after the third procedure. Conclusions: The results of the conducted study on the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy in premenopausal and menopausal women proved the efficacy of CO2RE laser therapy.
Key words: vulvovaginal atrophy, CO2 laser, premenopause, menopause, treatment
Address for correspondence: Assist. prof. Pavel Dobrev, PhD, e-mail: pavel_dobrev_@abv.bg