CosBeauty Magazine #78

E nhancement
Dr Anna Burrows explains the revolutionary laser treatment
that’s changing women’s lives for the better. Words by Maria Leahy
With one in every two
women suffering the effects
of vaginal atrophy during
their post-menopausal years, it’s a
wonder this distressing condition isn’t
more frequently discussed.
But with embarrassing and
uncomfortable symptoms like vaginal
dryness, urinary incontinence
and painful intercourse at play,
the issue now commonly referred
to as Genitourinary Syndrome of
Menopause (GSM) continues to
remain somewhat taboo.
Caused by the hormonal changes
associated with menopause, cancer,
breastfeeding and the surgical
removal of the ovaries, GSM is often
managed with vaginal creams and
oestrogen. However after changes
to existing medication rendered it
ineffective for a number of patients,
Dr Anna Burrows from Brisbane City
Gynaecology was forced to search for
an alternative GSM treatment.
Three years ago she found the
solution she had been seeking in
the form of the MonaLisa Touch,
a fractional CO2 laser system
specifically designed to treat vaginal
atrophy. ‘GSM is a condition that
effects over 50 per cent of women
after menopause,’ explains Dr
Burrows. ‘While hot flushes and usual
menopause symptoms improve over
time, GSM can actually get worse.
GSM patients typically suffer from
vaginal dryness; burning and itching
sensations; dyspareunia or pain during
intercourse; and urinary frequency.’
‘I invested in the MonaLisa device
as I was fully aware of the extent
of GSM. At the time, our only
option was to treat patients with
oestrogen, but this didn’t always
work. Some patients are not able to
use hormone treatments as they have
suffered hormone responsive cancers.
For others, when the medication
Vagifem was changed from a 25 to
10 microgram dose, the lower dose
wasn’t effective. After hearing about
the MonaLisa Touch and conducting
a thorough investigation into its
effectiveness, the scientific evidence
prompted me to use this technology
to help patients who otherwise had
limited treatment options.’
How It Works
The MonaLisa Touch is a nonsurgical
treatment for GSM, which
has been performed more than 25,000
times since it was first introduced
to Australia in 2013. By inserting
the MonaLisa Touch probe into the
vagina, doctors are able to deliver
thermal energy to the vaginal tissue.
This energy prompts the natural
regeneration of the vagina, promoting
proliferation of the cells and
restoration of vaginal wall strength
and blood supply. Stimulating
collagen production in this way
improves the integrity and elasticity
of the genital mucosa. This can be
effective in alleviating vaginal pain in
patients experiencing gynaecological
problems or vaginal atrophy, or in
simply tightening the vaginal walls for
a rejuvenating effect.
‘The treatment is less intrusive
than a pap test and takes only five
to ten minutes to complete,’ says
Dr Burrows. ‘Most patients have
three treatments spaced four to six
weeks apart. I also suggest a single
top up treatment every 12 months to
maintain the effect.’
‘Before beginning treatment, it
is important patients have a full
assessment with a specialist. This is
because many of the symptoms of
GSM can mimic other pathology.
When I meet patients, I assess their
symptoms and conduct a check up.
I always make sure that the cervix
screening test, mammogram and
all ‘well woman’ checks are up to
date. I check for conditions like skin
dermatitis, yeast and other infections,
and some specific gynaecological
diseases of the skin. When all the
other conditions are treated and dealt
with we can usually proceed with the
MonaLisa Touch. For 95 per cent of
women with no other pathology, we
can start the treatment on the first
visit if clinically safe to do so.’
Results
The laser technology behind the
MonaLisa Touch provides a precise
micro-injury to the skin, and the body
responds with new growth in collagen
and blood vessels. The lubrication
and pH level change, restoring the
vagina close to its original function.
According to Dr Burrows, this
walk-in-walk-out treatment produces
‘overwhelmingly positive’ results.
‘Clinical trials show an 82-95 per cent
improvement in symptoms following
the MonaLisa treatment,’ says Dr
Burrows. ‘My clinical practice has
closely mirrored this. In women who
do not seem to respond, there are
often other factors at play, such as
psychosexual issues and a condition
called vaginismus which can cause
an involuntary spasm of the vaginal
muscles in response to pain.’
‘As a gynaecologist, this treatment
has been really revolutionary in
changing women’s lives for the better.
It produces longer lasting results, is
hormone free, comes with minimal
risks and side effects, and is essentially
an effective solution to a very
distressing problem.’ cbm
WHERE
TO GET IT
To find a practitioner near you, visit
www.likeyourlook.com.au
www.cosbeauty.com.au 75