MonaLisa Touch®

by CO2 Laser

Treatment By

Doctor

Treatment Type

MonaLisa Touch®

Downtime

Allow up to 1 week

Treatment Time

30 Minutes

Results Seen

Results vary and are assessed after a course of treatment

Discomfort

Usually mild. Some discomfort is common

MonaLisa Touch® is a CO2 laser treatment for the vaginal lining, carried out by a doctor. Some women with vaginal dryness or discomfort linked to menopause choose it. The evidence is still developing and results vary, and our doctor will discuss whether it may be suitable for you. The MonaLisa Touch® is a CO2 laser especially designed for use on the vaginal mucosa and helps to stimulate the production of new collagen and fibroblasts in the vaginal mucosa aiding with vaginal rejuvenation. Most patients find the treatment tolerable without anaesthetic, though some discomfort is common. The laser itself doesn’t involve hormones, and your doctor can explain how it compares with other options, including hormonal treatments.

Treatment Areas

  • Intimate areas: Vagina

Treatment Benefits

  • Stimulates the production of collagen and fibroblast

  • Full medical consultation first

  • Non-surgical laser treatment

  • Performed by a doctor

  • Results vary. Your doctor will discuss them honestly at your consultation

  • Allow up to a week to recover

  • Risks and other options explained before you decide

  • Suitability assessed by a doctor at consultation

Vaginal rejuvenation is a treatment many women consider as they experience changes down below. Due to ageing, childbirth, hormonal changes and the menopause, the vaginal structure can change, which may cause uncomfortable or painful symptoms. Vaginal atrophy refers to thinning, drying and inflammation of the vaginal walls that may occur when your body has less oestrogen. This can cause a number of symptoms including vaginal dryness, vaginal burning, genital or vaginal itching, burning with urination, pain during intercourse, urinary incontinence, decreased vaginal lubrication during sexual activity and concerns with vaginal laxity. These symptoms are common and can affect comfort and everyday life. If you notice them, it’s worth speaking to your GP or a doctor about the options available.

Vaginal atrophy is caused by a decrease in oestrogen production in the body. This is where vaginal tissues become drier, less elastic and thinner.

There are a number of things that affect your oestrogen levels. These include the menopause and lead up to the menopause, breastfeeding, taking certain medication and as a side effect after certain cancer treatments. We see an increased number of women over the age of 50 for vaginal rejuvenation treatment with our resident doctor. At our Leamington Spa clinic, we’re often asked about the concerns below.

Pain during sexual intercourse (Dyspareunia)

Painful sex can have several causes, so it should be assessed by a doctor. For some women whose discomfort is linked to menopause-related dryness, CO2 laser treatment may be discussed as one option. The evidence is limited and results vary.

Urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence (bladder leakage) is common and can be linked to pregnancy, childbirth, ageing and the menopause. If you have bladder leakage, please see your GP first. Pelvic floor physiotherapy and other NHS treatments are usually recommended.

MonaLisa Touch® is a non-surgical CO2 laser treatment for the vaginal lining. Whether it is suitable for you is assessed by our doctor at consultation. The treatment is carried out by our experienced doctor who put you at ease from the consultation. As with any laser procedure, there are risks. These include discomfort, burning, swelling and discharge. You should allow up to a week to recover. Your doctor will explain the risks at your consultation. Most patients find it bearable, though some discomfort is common. The laser is designed to encourage the production of collagen and fibroblasts. Research into this treatment is ongoing and the quality of evidence varies.

Women will first attend a medical consultation with our doctor where you will undergo an assessment and we will take a full medical history. During your consultation, you can get to know our doctor and ask any questions. Our doctor will suggest a treatment plan, including how many sessions may be appropriate. A course is usually three sessions, 4 to 6 weeks apart. Results vary and not everyone sees an improvement.

During treatment, a small metal probe will be inserted carefully into the vagina. This will deliver laser energy to the vaginal area and vaginal mucosa to stimulate the production of collagen, fibroblast and elastin. The laser energy is designed to stimulate a healing response in the vaginal lining. Some women report less dryness afterwards, but results vary. Bleeding is uncommon and the treatment is usually done without anaesthetic. It doesn’t work for everyone, and your doctor will give you a realistic view of what to expect at consultation.

After a course, some women notice less dryness or discomfort. Results vary and maintenance sessions may be needed. Common side effects include soreness, redness, burning, swelling, itching and temporary discharge, usually settling within about a week. Less common risks will be explained at consultation.

MonaLisa Touch® is made by DEKA, a medical laser manufacturer. It uses a probe designed specifically to treat the vaginal lining.

Patient Confidentiality

At Eve Clinics, patient confidentiality is of the utmost importance. All personal and medical information shared during consultations and treatments is kept strictly confidential. Our clinic adheres to the highest standards of privacy to ensure a secure and comfortable experience for every individual seeking private area treatments.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Depending on the extent of your concerns and your individual concern, we will suggest the correct number of sessions needed during the consultation process. There are usually three treatments, 4 to 6 weeks apart. Results vary and not everyone sees an improvement.

If you have bladder leakage, please speak to your GP first, as other treatments are usually recommended.

A MonaLisa Touch® session usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes, including preparation.

A drop in oestrogen levels causes vaginal atrophy.

You may appear a little sore and red following treatment. Occasionally you may have some mild and temporary discharge.

After the procedure, please allow up to 1 week to recover. You can avoid sexual intercourse whilst you heal if needed.

There’s little preparation needed, but please note the following: Please reschedule the appointment if the appointment is during your period, or if it will start straight after the procedure. Please come to your appointment wearing loose cotton underwear and clothes.

Please shave 2 days prior to your procedure on the area to be treated. Avoid waxing creams.

Please tell us about any creams you use, including steroid creams. Our doctor will advise whether to pause them around treatment. Don’t stop prescribed treatment without medical advice.

Following your vaginal rejuvenation treatment, please try not to itch or touch the treated area. You should also avoid sexual intercourse in the first week. You should be able to shower the following day.

Please avoid hot baths, swimming pools and hot tubs for up to 1 week.

Please take it easy for a couple of days. You can exercise after 3-4 days but choose your exercise wisely so not to cause discomfort.

Ideally patients should wait 4-6 weeks minimum in between sessions to see the most effective results.

Results aren’t permanent; most patients need maintenance treatments every 12 to 18 months. It doesn’t work for everyone.

No. MonaLisa Touch® is not a vaginal tightening treatment and we don’t offer it for laxity. It’s used for symptoms such as dryness of the vaginal lining.

Most patients find the treatment itself tolerable without anaesthetic, but it can be uncomfortable. You may experience some discomfort whilst the probe is inserted.

Vaginal dryness can occur due to the vagina’s natural lubrication levels decreasing. This is caused by lower level of the hormone oestrogen.

Possible risks include pain, burning, swelling, discharge, infection and, rarely, scarring or worsening symptoms. Our doctor will discuss these with you, along with other options such as treatments available through your GP. This is why our doctor needs to make sure that you are a good candidate for this procedure before you can go ahead.

Those with the following concerns may not be suitable for treatment:

  • Abnormal smear test
  • You have or you had recently infections in the private area
  • Severe urinary incontinence
  • Severe laxity
  • You have coil fitted
  • You have mesh
  • You suffer with prolapse

You shouldn’t have the treatment if you have given birth in the past 3 months, you are breastfeeding or you are pregnant.

At our Leamington Spa clinic, your treatment is carried out by a doctor after a full medical consultation. You’ll have time to ask questions and talk through the risks and other options before you decide.

Patient safety is also at the forefront of everything we do. We will provide you with our honest expert opinion and only go ahead if treatment is suitable for you.

It has been 7 months since I have been undergoing my treatment plan. From the start I was given a very honest and realistic expectation of the treatment.

R.N,