Pain during sex and vaginal dryness: MonaLisa Touch consultation

Not all women who experience pain during sexual intercourse choose to tell their doctor or gynaecologist because they are either too embarrassed or ashamed or unsure what help is available. Pain during sex can have several causes, so it is important to speak to a doctor, who can assess you and discuss suitable options. Vaginal discomfort can come with dryness or urinary symptoms. Burning when you pass urine can be a sign of infection or another condition, so please see your GP if you notice this. Lubricants and vaginal moisturisers help many women. So do treatments prescribed by a GP or gynaecologist, such as vaginal creams, pessaries or rings. Your doctor can advise on these. For some women, laser treatment may be one option to discuss alongside them.

Eve Clinics in Leamington Spa offers the DEKA MonaLisa Touch CO2 laser, which may be an option for some women with vaginal dryness and discomfort, depending on an assessment by your doctor. The procedure is minimally invasive and non-surgical. You may feel some discomfort during treatment, and your doctor will explain what to expect, including the possible side effects and risks. The laser delivers controlled energy to the vaginal tissue, with the aim of stimulating the body’s own collagen production. Evidence for its use in vaginal symptoms is still developing, and your doctor will discuss what it may and may not achieve for you.

At our Leamington Spa clinic, MonaLisa Touch is performed by a doctor, following a consultation to assess your symptoms, medical history and suitability. It is also available at our Harley Street clinic in London, where it is likewise performed by one of our doctors.

Treatment uses the MonaLisa Touch CO2 fractional laser and is carried out in clinic. The procedure, including the consultation, lasts no more than an hour. The fractional laser treats tiny areas of tissue at a time, leaving the surrounding tissue to support healing. This is intended to encourage the production of new collagen. A course is typically three treatments, 4 to 6 weeks apart. Results vary between patients. Some women may not notice an improvement, and top-up treatments may be advised. Your doctor will discuss this with you at consultation.

After MonaLisa Touch treatment you may have some discomfort, which usually settles within a few days. Like any laser procedure, it carries other possible side effects and risks, and your doctor will explain these at consultation. Some women report sensations of burning, swelling and itching immediately after the procedure. This can vary from patient to patient. Recovery is generally short, but your doctor will advise you to avoid sexual activity for a few weeks afterwards. They will confirm how long. They will also explain the other possible side effects and risks at consultation.

If you would like to discuss pain during sex or vaginal dryness, book a consultation with a doctor at Eve Clinics in Leamington Spa or Harley Street, London, to talk through the possible causes and whether the DEKA MonaLisa Touch CO2 laser may be suitable for you.