• How should I start the discussion with my patients?
• How should I manage patient’s expectations?
• How many treatments are needed and how long do the results actually last?

Join the webinar to hear key findings and have all your vaginal health questions answered.

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Introduction

Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) in women is a prevalent disease worldwide. In the UK, near 50% of all women experience at least one episode of UTI in their lifetimes, with UTI being the most common reason women present to ambulatory care (Al-Badr et al 2013, Foxmann et al 2014). Of these women, 20-30% will experience recurrent UTIs, as defined by “three or more episodes of UTI during a 12 month period or two or more within 6 months” (Albert et al 2004).
The prevalence of UTI increases with age. The underlying pathophysiology behind this lies in the fact that postmenopausal women have lower oestrogen levels, depressing active rejuvenation of the vaginal wall lining as well as the loss of the commensal bacteria Lactobacillus, within the vaginal microenvironment. Lactobacillus is essential in the synthesis of lactic acid, maintaining the normal low pH environment within the vagina that prevents colonisation by uropathogens (Al-Badr et al 2013).
Patients suffering from recurrent UTIs, often require continuous prophylactic antibiotics long term treatment, however, the consequence of antibiotic overuse may result in the rapid emergence of multi-resistant bacteria. Multi-resistant bacteria is such an emerging risk, that the World Health Organisation issued a global action plan to combat antibiotic resistance, declaring this deadly issue as one of the greatest threats to global health in our lifetime (WHO GAP 2015). There is a global urgency to find antibiotic-free therapies, for instance reinforcing natural mechanisms of defence.
Fractional CO2 lasers, applied to the vaginal lining, induce histological changes, resembling oestrogen therapy (Zerbinati et al 2015, Salvatore et al 2015). Biopsies from treated patients demonstrate the restoration of thick squamous epithelium, intra-cellular glycogen storage and synthesis of new components for the extra-cellular matrix. Fractional
Bob Yang – Urology Specialist Registrar Steve Foley – Urology Consultant Claire Foley – Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner
CO2 laser treatment restores the natural lubricated vaginal microenvironment, leading to commensal lactobacillus colonisation, which in turn re-establishes the natural protective acidic pH environment within the vagina.
Here we used the FemTouch delivery system to provide fractional treatments to the vaginal wall. Through the use of the FemTouch probe, laser energy was delivered in a fractional manner, selectively treating less than 100% of the tissue surface to induce vaginal restoration.
We present the first experience in the United Kingdom of using the CO2 vaginal laser FemTouchTM to treat a preliminary cohort of post-menopausal women with recurrent UTIs over a 1 year period

>> Download the full article

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Background and aims: We have previously reported improvement of clinical symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) at 3 and 6 months following three CO₂ laser treatments. The current paper presents the results of long term follow up at 12, 15- and 18-months post laser treatment.
Methods: Twenty subjects (mean age 60.65 ± 6.34 years) who had completed the core study participated in follow-up. Subjects were evaluated at 12, 15, and 18 months following final laser therapy. An optional maintenance treatment was offered during Month 12 and Month 15 to those women who failed to increase their Vaginal Health Index Score (VHIS) by more than 34% from their individual baseline, or if the subject desired an additional treatment. At each study visit, VHIS and vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) symptom severity were recorded. Sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).
Results: Fifteen subjects were eligible for a single maintenance treatment (N = 2, at 12 months, and N = 13 at 15 Months). The mean VHIS (± standard deviation) remained significantly improved at 12 months following their last laser treatment
(16.3 ± 4.5 vs. Baseline 12.4 ± 4.0; p < 0.05) and at the 15- and 18-months follow up visits as well (16.9 ± 4.6 and 17.1 ± 4.6, respectively; p < 0.05 compared to Baseline). Almost all VVA symptoms were significantly improved at 12 months following the third treatment compared to Baseline and this improvement was sustained at 15 and 18 months. At the 12 Months visit, the total FSFI score increased significantly (N = 15, 24.4 ± 6.9; p < 0.05), and at the 15- and 18-month follow-up visits, the total FSFI remained significantly higher than
Baseline (22.2 ± 6.7, 25.8 ± 6.6).
Conclusions: Fractional CO₂ laser treatments are effective in alleviating symptoms of VVA and sexual dysfunction in post-menopausal women, and that effects are sustained over the long-term.

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The post Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Fractional CO2 Laser Treatment in Post-Menopausal Women with Vaginal Atrophy appeared first on FemTouch for Improved Vaginal Health.

The post Webinar on FemTouch study for patients with vaginal atrophy appeared first on FemTouch for Improved Vaginal Health.

The CO₂ lasers is used in our clinic to treat patients with human papillomavirusassociated dysplasia, genital or vulvar diseases, condiloma, vaginal atrophy, stress urinary incontinence, vestibulodyniaand Lichen sclerosus.

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The post The Use of CO₂ Laser for Patients With Lichen Sclerosus appeared first on FemTouch for Improved Vaginal Health.

SUI can significantly affect the quality of life since women may avoid certain activities or exercises that cause leakage or they may be embarrassed to go out in public due to fear of leakage.

The ideal treatment for SUI is a therapy that is effective at relieving symptoms, one that is minimally invasive, nearly painless, durable and would restore normal urethral supportive function.

Currently, the main treatment options for SUI consist of a vaginal approach and placement of a synthetic midurethral slings (MUS), a biologic bladder neck sling or urethral bulking agents. However, there are limitations to slings and not every patient with SUI may be a candidate for one. Some patients may require a tight bladder neck slings which can be associated with urgency-frequency, obstructive voiding and post-operative pain, especially if autologous fascia is used. Urethral bulking agents are minimally invasive but durability is lacking and repeat injections are typically necessary.

The synthetic MUS may carry its own unique set of risks, including mesh exposure, mesh erosion into surrounding organs, dyspareunia, pelvic pain, and need for further surgery. Despite the proven safety and efficacy of mesh MUS, an aggressive mesh MUS legal environment exists, thus the ideal treatment of SUI is still lacking.

>> Download the full article

The post The Use of CO₂ laser for patients with Stress Urinary Incontinence appeared first on FemTouch for Improved Vaginal Health.

The prevalence of UTI increases with age. The underlying pathophysiology behind this lies in the fact that postmenopausal women have lower oestrogen levels, depressing proliferation of the commensal bacteria Lactobacillus within the vaginal microenvironment. Lactobacillus is essential in the synthesis of lactic acid, maintaining the normal low pH environment within the vagina that prevents colonisation by uropathogens (Al-Badr et al 2013).

Patients suffering from recurrent UTIs, often require continuous prophylactic antibiotics long term treatment, however, the consequence of antibiotic overuse resulted in the rapid emergence of multi-resistant bacteria. Multi-resistant bacteria is such an emerging risk, that the World Health Organisation issued a global action plan to combat antibiotic resistance, declaring this deadly issue as one of the greatest threats to global health in our lifetime (WHO GAP 2015). As a result, there is a global imperative and urgency to finding alternative therapies that avoid the use of antibiotics, such as by reinforcing the natural mechanisms of defence.

Fractional CO2 lasers, when applied to the vaginal lining, have been histologically proven to induce changes to the vaginal lining, similar to oestrogen therapy (Zerbinati et al 2015, Salvatore et al 2015). This is seen by the restoration of the thick squamous epithelium, intra-cellular glycogen storage and synthesis of new components for the extra-cellular matrix. The consequence of this not only restores the natural lubricated vaginal microenvironment, but also restores the commensal lactobacillus colonisation, allowing for the re-establishment of the natural protective acidic pH environment within the vagina.

Here we used the FemTouch delivery system to provide fractional treatments to the vaginal wall. Through the use of the FemTouch probe, laser energy was delivered in a fractional manner, selectively treating less than 100% of the tissue surface.

We present the first experience in the United Kingdom of using the CO2 vaginal laser FemTouchTM to treat a preliminary cohort of post-menopausal women with recurrent UTIs.

>> Download the full article

The post FemTouch for the Treatment of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Post-Menopausal Women appeared first on FemTouch for Improved Vaginal Health.

FemTouch, the latest addition to the AcuPulse product family, addresses vaginal health-related conditions by promoting the remodeling of the vaginal mucosal layer leading to the restoration of the vaginal canal to a premenopausal-like stage. In a series of comfortable and easy office-based treatments, each taking no more than five minutes to complete, FemTouch provides a fast and efficient solution resulting in positive outcomes after only two to four treatments, as indicated by patients around the world.

“My menopause patients are so thankful for helping to restore their sex lives and relieve their vaginal dryness,” said Scott Evan Eder, MD, The Center for Women’s Heath & Wellness, New Jersey. “One patient said she felt 19 years old again!”

>> Read More

The post Lumenis Introduces a 360° Solution for Women’s Gynecological Health appeared first on FemTouch for Improved Vaginal Health.

Lumenis Ltd., the world’s largest energy-based medical device company for surgical, aesthetic and ophthalmic applications, announced today that the company will showcase its new UltraPulse DUO CO2 laser system and the new FemTouch solution at the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) Annual Meeting, taking place November 15-19, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

UltraPulse DUO is the newest addition to the Lumenis CO2 laser family, and provides gynecologists and fertility experts with an ultra-precise CO2 laser solution for the treatment of selected fertility related indications. The unique energy delivery is based on high level of control over each single pulse, which leads to uncompromised precision, and translates to excellent clinical outcomes. >> Read More

The post Lumenis Expands Its Portfolio of Gynecology Solutions with FemTouch™ appeared first on FemTouch for Improved Vaginal Health.

“Vaginal health and intimacy issues can arise as a part of breast cancer treatment, childbirth, or because of the normal aging process,” said Dr. Clark Schierle, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Director of Aesthetic Surgery at NSPS. “Here at NSPS we can treat patients with vaginal health issues due to any of these processes, and we are excited for the opportunity to change these patients’ lives for the better.” >> Read More

The post The Lumenis FemTouch™ Procedure is Now Available in Chicago appeared first on FemTouch for Improved Vaginal Health.