I. Introduction
Vaginal rejuvenation is a cosmetic procedure that has gained popularity among women in recent years. It is used to improve the appearance and function of the vagina. The most common vaginal rejuvenation treatments include CO2 fractional laser, high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), radio frequency (RF) treatment, and LED-based treatments. Each of these treatments has different benefits and drawbacks, and the efficacy of each treatment varies. This report will compare the technologies used for vaginal rejuvenation and their efficiency in relation to vaginal rejuvenation.
II. CO2 Fractional Laser Treatment
CO2 fractional laser treatment is a non-invasive, non-surgical procedure that uses a laser to create micro-injuries in the vaginal tissue. This process stimulates the body’s natural healing response, which can result in improved vaginal health. Benefits of CO2 fractional laser treatment include improved vaginal lubrication, increased sexual satisfaction, and relief from stress urinary incontinence (SUI). A study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada found that CO2 fractional laser treatment resulted in a significant improvement in vaginal dryness and dyspareunia (pain during intercourse) compared to a control group that received no treatment (1).
Studies have shown that CO2 fractional laser treatment is safe and effective, with minimal side effects. One study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that CO2 fractional laser treatment was well-tolerated by patients, with only mild discomfort reported during the procedure (2). However, there have been reports of adverse events associated with CO2 fractional laser treatment, including burning, bleeding, and infection (3).
III. High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) Treatment
High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment is a non-invasive procedure that uses high-intensity ultrasound waves to heat and tighten the vaginal tissue. The procedure is designed to stimulate collagen production and improve vaginal elasticity. Benefits of HIFU treatment include improved vaginal tightness, increased sexual satisfaction, and relief from SUI. A study published in the International Urogynecology Journal found that HIFU treatment resulted in a significant improvement in SUI and vaginal tightness compared to a control group that received no treatment (4).
HIFU treatment has been found to be safe and effective, with minimal side effects. A study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research found that HIFU treatment was well-tolerated by patients, with no serious adverse events reported (5). However, some patients may experience mild discomfort or cramping during the procedure.
IV. Radio Frequency (RF) Treatment
Radio frequency (RF) treatment is a non-invasive procedure that uses radio waves to heat the vaginal tissue. This process stimulates collagen production and improves vaginal elasticity. Benefits of RF treatment include improved vaginal lubrication, increased sexual satisfaction, and relief from SUI. A study published in the International Urogynecology Journal found that RF treatment resulted in a significant improvement in vaginal dryness and SUI compared to a control group that received no treatment (6).
RF treatment has been found to be safe and effective, with minimal side effects. A study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research found that RF treatment was well-tolerated by patients, with no serious adverse events reported (7). However, some patients may experience mild discomfort or a warming sensation during the procedure.
V. LED-Based Treatments
LED-based treatments use light-emitting diodes to improve vaginal health. The light energy is absorbed by the vaginal tissue, which stimulates collagen production and improves vaginal elasticity. Benefits of LED-based treatments include improved vaginal lubrication, increased sexual satisfaction, and relief from SUI. A study published in Lasers in Medical Science found that LED-based treatment resulted in a significant improvement in vaginal dryness and dyspareunia compared to a control group that received no treatment (8).
LED-based treatments have been found to be safe and effective, with minimal side effects. A study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research found that LED-based treatment was well-tolerated by patients, with no serious adverse events reported (9). However, some patients may experience mild discomfort or a warming sensation during the procedure.
VI. Comparison of Technologies
When comparing the different technologies for vaginal rejuvenation, CO2 fractional laser, HIFU, RF treatment, and LED-based treatments all have their own unique benefits and drawbacks. CO2 fractional laser treatment has been found to be effective in improving vaginal dryness and dyspareunia, and is well-tolerated by patients. HIFU treatment has been found to be effective in improving SUI and vaginal tightness, and is also well-tolerated by patients. RF treatment has been found to be effective in improving vaginal dryness and SUI, and is well-tolerated by patients. LED-based treatments have also been found to be effective in improving vaginal dryness and dyspareunia, and are well-tolerated by patients.
When it comes to safety, all of these technologies have been found to be safe and have minimal side effects. However, adverse events have been reported with CO2 fractional laser treatment, including burning, bleeding, and infection (3).
Cost may also be a factor to consider when comparing these technologies. CO2 fractional laser treatment tends to be the most expensive, followed by HIFU and RF treatments. LED-based treatments tend to be the most affordable.
Nu-V, FemiLift, MonaLisa Touch, and ThermiVa are the most popular vaginal rejuvenation treatments available today. Each one has certain advantages based on your condition and symptoms. Here’s what you need to know about each treatment.
FemiLift, MonaLisa Touch, Nu-V – are all CO2 laser based treatments
ThermiVa is RF based treatment
Femiwand is HiFu based treatment
VII. Conclusion
In conclusion, vaginal rejuvenation treatments have become popular options for women looking to improve their vaginal health. CO2 fractional laser, HIFU, RF treatment, and LED-based treatments have all been found to be safe and effective in improving various vaginal health concerns. While each technology has its own unique benefits and drawbacks, overall they all offer similar improvements in vaginal health. Factors such as cost and personal preference may influence which technology a patient chooses. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider to determine which technology is best suited for each individual case.
Choosing the Right Vaginal Rejuvenation Treatment
If you’re seeking vaginal rejuvenation treatment, here are some tips to help you choose the one that meets your specific needs.
Note your symptoms. Vaginal rejuvenation treatments are typically designed to address different conditions. So before you choose a particular procedure, talk to your doctor first.
Self-educate. Researching available treatments, along with their benefits and risks, will help you avoid wasting money or risking your health on the wrong procedure.
Look for a highly rated Womens Health practitioner near you. Because some procedures require more than one session, choosing a practitioner near you can save you a lot of time.
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The question regarding efficacy and outcomes for vaginal rejuvenation is not merely to look at the device being used. This is to take a simplistic approach and often involves clinics/practitioners relying on one form of device in their tool box ( the one they have leased or bought and were sold well typically). Most of the energy based devices on the market work by either applying heat or mechanical damage to existing skin/collagen with the aim of creating a controlled injury and triggering a natural would healing pathway resulting in improvements in a variety of symptoms over a period of weeks and months. CO2 laser; in our view is the gold standard and has been used for decades in delivering results.
The prime goal for treatment is to manage outcomes and expectation for each individual patient, whilst delivering suitable tailored evidence based treatments, advice and support.
The keys to successful patient outcomes are not solely relain on the modality, and it is important that an holistic approach is taken to maximise appropriateness for the patients condition, and budget as well as to explore what the bigger picture is. Investigations and discussions involving such topics as lifestyle, menopause status, pregnancy and childbirth experiences, health, medications, mental well being, relationships, intimacy and sexual health give the practitioner a much bigger jigsaw puzzle than simply applying a device in a generic one size fits all fashion.
In the UK, there is no regulation for use of any devices and user qualifications. Energy based devices generally fall under the radar and are coupled with aesthetics, with no set syllabus for training, qualifications, servicing, even where they are to be used and who by and who on.
This is quite a quagmire for patients seeking treatment, as everyone will tell you in blogs, TikToks, Instagram etc , that their clinic is best, their device is best, their price is best.
When choosing a practitioner many women are looking for reassurance, a knowledgable and skilled practitioner, a caring and safe environment, excellent standards of cleanliness, a friendly listening and empathic port of call ( whether face to face, e-mail or phone). They want to know that the treatment will improve their presenting complaint, and that there will be no harm. Patients want to know and see the practitioner is qualified and has experience. If the “industry” is not regulated, then where does that reassurance come from? How can it be checked? Where do I go if I need more help? Who will be my voice if I need further help? Is my treatment specifically for me or does everyone get the same?
In 2018 the American regulator the FDA issued a warning about energy based devices being used vaginally and scared the wits out of anybody reading it, that there were serious risks. You may think that here at The Womens Health Clinic (TWHC) that we would have been just as alarmed. Quite the contrary, we agreed that regulation is the safest way to ensure a standardised approach is applied.
In the UK in 2010 lasers were de-regulated! The UK Regulatory Authority’s decision to de- regulate cosmetic lasers in 2008 was prompted by a review of the overall risk and benefits to patients.
The UK Department of Health’s stated “The levels of risk involved in the use of lasers/IPL equipment for non-surgical purposes leads us to believe that the current regulatory regime ( as of 2008) is not proportionate to the risk of harm to patients,”.
In the UK The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for the regulation of therapeutic products in the UK.
Our own response to this news was disbelief especially with the intimate nature of Nu-V Co2 laser treatment, being compared to laser hair removal or skin rejuvenation.
Our own journey with becoming registered with the Care Quality Commission for our regulated medical activities took us down some rabbit holes related to the Nu-V specifically.
On the one hand for non-medically trained practitioners in nail bars, salons, spas, even their own home, there is no regulation. We strongly believed that our standards for our clinics must be the highest they could be and go above and beyond the basic level of regulation in the aesthetics industry. We felt it is complete and utter madness to allow non-medical aesthetic professionals and therapists with very little knowledge of Women’s Health to be inserting laser heads inside the vagina. At TWHC we carefully select our nurses to ensure that they have specialist knowledge in Gynaecology, Urology, Sexual Health, Menopause, Midwifery and other Women’s Health areas.
The CQC took the decision that Nu-V in a CQC registered clinic, delivered by nurses/Drs with specific skills/qualifications relating to women’s health is a regulated activity, which is not the case for non medical practitioners.
This is where is is apparent that the type of device isn’t the important issue here isn’t it?!
TWHC is a chain of Female Nurse-led CQC registered clinics and all of our certificates, training, appraisals, are visible. You can see the nurse’s credentials on the website, you pick up the phone to be greeted by a nurse for a free 20 minute assessment ,not a salesperson, you have a minimum 45 minute face to face consultation before proceeding to treatment. We have strict clinical governance processes in place to ensure infection control is managed, electrical safety and health and safety are adhered to, and servicing is documented on every item in our clinic and so forth. This is key to the safe running of the clinic and the treatment.
The treatment itself is is very short and minimally invasive, but the background work is almost as, if not more, important. Every patient has a full pelvic floor and vaginal examination to help the nurse to tailor the treatment to their specific needs every time.
TWHC advocates a holistic approach to women’s health whereby it gathers a wide range of clinical data in relation to patients physical, sexual and mental wellbeing. During the consultation all such information along with the notes are carefully considered in accordance with our strict guidelines. Only appropriate patients are offered a Nu-V treatment and clearly given the choice to go back and consider options including alternative treatments outside Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation . This very important process is repeated at every consultation (face to face) and again; the patient is advised to go back and reconsider and embrace all other adjuvant therapies that may help.
Screening for female sexual dysfunction with validated questionnaires, a simple vaginal examination to identify vaginismus or pelvic floor abnormalities and education about of one’s own body structure, anatomy, and ageing process are prerequisites to treatment. Treatment is only carried out upon full consent process that clearly explains the treatment.
We feel that this approach is the only way that can guarantee all of the above and the most excellent levels of care and service delivery for every single patient who attends our clinic.