Vaginal Atrophy

What is vaginal atrophy?

The vaginal system is perhaps the most complex organ of the female body as it includes the simultaneous function of not only the genital but also the urinary and digestive systems.

In detail, on the anterior surface of the vagina is the bladder and urethra, on its bottom is the cervix and on its posterior part is the descending part of the intestine. Phylogenetically, the largest part of it (about 9/10) comes from the embryonic mesoderm, while the last part, like the entrance (forehead of the colon together with the hymen) and the labia majora, come from the embryonic ectoderm .

The importance of this differentiation in origin is of great importance in the functionality as well as in the damage it undergoes over time and also in the change of hormones in menopause, whether this occurs pharmacologically in diseases or physiologically with age.

More specifically, the cells of the vagina, which are flat on the outside and cylindrical on the bottom, must have a relatively acidic PH (3.5-5.2) for it to function smoothly without disturbances and to achieve a normal microbial flora. The basic nutrient stimulus for the smooth functioning of the vagina is the high estrogenic action that occurs when the woman has a regular period and produces estradiol E2.

What are the stages of vaginal atrophy?

On the contrary, in menopause, when hormone production stops for the most part, as in medical menopause, where drugs or surgical techniques stop the period (e.g. in breast, ovarian, cervical cancer, lymphomas or PIF premature ovarian failure) we observe a disorder in the sinus structures, sometimes gradual and sometimes rapid. These modifications, which also create discomfort or ailments in women, have exactly to do with the hormonal complications caused to the vaginal epithelia.

Initially, the vagina loses elasticity and the ability to produce collagen as a result of which it dries out, thins and due to the drop in estrogen, its flora is damaged at the same time as its PH changes (alkalization 6-7). Inflammation and unpleasant odors are often caused, as well as the onset of the feeling of dryness and difficulty in achieving sexual intercourse, which is also combined with reduced desire (decrease in libido).

Then, gradually, we have a loss of hydration of the vaginal lumen that concerns both its interior and more its entrance, resulting in more dryness and atrophy with thinning of the tissues, which implies dyspareunia (ie pain during sex).

Finally, in more advanced stages of atrophy, the vessels and nerves of the vagina are lost, with the result that sensitivity is greatly reduced, the entrance and internal walls narrow and the genitourinary syndrome of GSM menopause occurs, which includes urinary infections, severe dryness and burning, dyspareunia and in general, it is a particularly disturbing situation, since it affects the daily life and destroys the quality of life and the health of the patients.

The wear and tear of the vagina and its problematic function clearly occurs sometimes in women with normal periods, usually from 30-35 years of age and after several years of sexual contact, after normal childbirth and after chronic inflammations and antibiotics that destroy the flora . In these cases, combinations of pathologies such as relaxation on contact, urination disorders and loss of urine, excessive fluids and unpleasant chronic odor are presented.

How does laser vaginal rejuvenation work?

The treatments for revitalizing and restoring its smooth functioning are based precisely on the nosology and causes of vaginal atrophy, either with the passage of time or with menopause.

What is the process of laser resurfacing?

The treatment using laser / Renovalaser has the possibility, with 2 or 3 sessions, painlessly, in the doctor’s office, lasting 15 minutes each, to restore elasticity and collagenization of the vagina, improving dryness and atrophy, sensitivity and hydration of the vagina, helping with infections but also with painful sexual intercourse of the patients.

The special high-frequency waves of the Renovalaser (wavelength 2940nm) compared to conventional lasers, activate the fibroblasts deep in the skin, producing collagen, while the treatment is completely painless due to the specificity of the erbium laser waveform. The effectiveness of the treatments reaches 90% of our studies, which completely agree with the international literature, while the satisfaction of the patients based on the scale of application, before and after the treatments reaches 8.9 out of 10.

The exact same treatment is applied to women with regular periods, usually from 35 years and later, in order to regenerate, improve and revitalize the vagina, as it is required after childbirth or several years of sexual contacts and vaginal inflammations that differentiate the sensation and smooth functioning of the vagina in everyday life but also in sex. (tightening, sensation , moisturizing , regulation of increased secretions)

Erbium laser treatment can be repeated annually in chronic menopausal problems and keep the vaginal environment always youthful, or depending on the needs and desires when it comes to younger women.

What are injectable vaginal rejuvenation treatments?

The heavy weapons in the revitalization of the vagina are the injectable treatments which, contrary to what people think, are completely painless as the injection is preceded by a local application of anesthetic ointment (with a combination of xylocaine, lidocaine and tetracaine) which eliminates the local pain.

High molecular weight hyaluronic acid HA is a prominent treatment for the correction of superficial dyspareunia (that is, the pain during sex located at the entrance to the vagina).

What is the procedure of injectable rejuvenation therapy?

The injection is made in the subcutaneous tissue of the vagina, in the entrance or proboscis, in the back walls and in the perineum (in the space between the vagina and the anus. Careful placement is needed, relatively superficial and symmetrical in the tissues, after massage. Hyaluronic acid then acts osmotically and draws water from deep within the tissues ensuring deep hydration and mild neo-angiogenesis, negating dryness, thinning and pain on contact.

Finally, injectable PRP therapy is perhaps the greatest tool for vaginal rejuvenation as it is a blood product, after extensive centrifugation, to increase platelet density and eliminate red and white blood cells from the plasma.

The platelets are then photoactivated and thus produce locally trophic and growth factors (PGF growth factors) which they release in the tissues of the vagina and thus act by producing new vessels and nerves.

In this way, the mucous membranes of the vagina are not only rejuvenated and annoying atrophy and dryness are stopped, but neoneurogenesis contributes to the increase of sensitivity, helping to remove the pain on contact.

At the same time extensive PRP deposition on the inner surface of the vagina is used to increase female orgasm by strengthening the G-spot behind the female urethra.

Are vaginal rejuvenation treatments effective?

Rejuvenation treatments are particularly effective and therefore appealing as each one also restores a distinct component of the vagina that is lost, due to the minimization of hormones or over time in women

All that is required is patience and correct procedure , in the correct order, of the treatments in order to achieve the ideal result, individualizing each case. Primarily the application of the erbium laser for elasticity and collagenization, then the injection of HA hyaluronic acid which hydrates and produces new vessels and finally PRP injections to produce new nerves which improve its aesthetics.

The creation of LVRI Athens is not just an innovation in modern female vaginal surgery, nor even a clever idea to satisfy some special needs of a limited number of women. It was created in response to the constant and persistent search of everyday people.

Contact info

Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation Institute

Karaoli & Dimitriou 41, Byronas