The first experience of using an innovative diode laser in the treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause
Saidova A.S., Apolikhina I.A.
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) refers to a collection of symptoms including dryness, itching, burning, dyspareunia, and frequent recurrent urinary tract infections that occur in postmenopausal women and significantly impair their quality of life, emotional and mental health, and sexual function. Traditionally, local or systemic hormonal therapy aimed at increasing estrogen levels is administered, but not all patients may benefit from it. Laser treatment, including the use of a diode laser, can be an effective and safe alternative.
Objective: To obtain additional data on the safety and effectiveness of the diode laser in treating patients with GSM.
Materials and methods: Twenty-nine patients received laser therapy using the Lasemar 1500 diode device
(1470-nm wavelength) once every two weeks for a total of four sessions. The effectiveness was assessed using the Vaginal Health Index (VHI) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).
Results: The mean VHI score increased from 15.2 to 21.2 after treatment. The VHI score increased by more than 3 points in 27 patients (93%), thus confirming the clinical significance of the changes. There was a considerable increase in the total FSFI score in sexually active patients (n=18), from 16.9 to 28.1. Three patients reported on the resumption of sexual activity after treatment. The procedures were tolerated well by all patients and no serious adverse events were noted.
Conclusion: The results of the observational study of 29 patients showed the effectiveness and safety of using the diode laser for the correction of GSM symptoms in 27 patients. However, the absence of a control group and the limited number of participants make it necessary to continue further research.
Authors’ contributions: Apolikhina I.A. – concept of the study, editing; Saidova A.S. – material selection and processing, writing the text.
Conflicts of interest: Authors declare lack of the possible conflicts of interests.
Funding: The study was conducted without sponsorship.
Ethical Approval: The study was approved by the Ethical Review Board of the Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia.
Patient Consent to Publication: The patients provided an informed consent for the publication of their data.
Authors' Data Sharing Statement: The data supporting the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author after approval from the principal investigator.
For citation: Saidova A.S., Apolikhina I.A. The first experience of using an innovative diode laser in
the treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2024; (7): 130-134 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2024.173
Keywords
vulvovaginal atrophy
diode laser
sexual dysfunction
genitourinary syndrome of menopause
urinary incontinence
quality of life
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Received 18.07.2024
Accepted 24.07.2024
About the Authors
Aina S. Saidova, PhD, obstetrician-gynecologist at the Department of Aesthetic Gynecology and Rehabilitation, V.I. Kulakov NMRC for AG&P, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4, a_saidova@oparina4.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3473-3109Inna A. Apolikhina, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Head of the Department of Aesthetic Gynecology and Rehabilitation, V.I. Kulakov NMRC for AG&P, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4; Professor of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Perinatology and Reproductology, Institute of Vocational Education, I.M. Sechenov First MSMU, Ministry of Health of Russia (Sechenov University), 119991, Russia, Moscow, Trubetskaya str., 8-2, i_apolikhina@oparina4.ru,
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4581-6295
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