POSTMENOPOZAL KADINLARDA VAJİNAL CO2 LAZER UYGULAMASININ ÜROJİNEKOLOJİK YAKINMALAR ÜZERİNE ETKİSİ
Project no. 117 · Status: Kapanmış · 2017
Summary
Menopause and other hypoestrogenic states result in dryness, inflammation, and thinning of the vagina and lower urinary tract. Vulvovaginal burning, pain during sexual activity, and urinary symptoms such as frequency, recurrent bladder infections, and dysuria occur in more than 40% of postmenopausal women. Since 2014, genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is the preferred term that encompasses the signs and symptoms associated with estrogen deficiency. Vaginal birth trauma is the leading cause of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women. Also, the process of ageing and hormonal deprivation in postmenopause alters the metabolism of connective tissues and decreases collagen production leading to pelvic floor dysfunction. Noninvasive treatment is recommended as first-line management of urinary incontinence (UI) in women. Surgical procedures are more likely to be implemented to cure UI but are associated with more adverse events. The CO2 laser has been available for years as a method to reduce facial wrinkles, remove tattoos, and treat a myriad of skin conditions. This technology has been used in gynecology for more than 30 years for treatment of gynecologic conditions including condylomata and intraepithelial neoplasia of the lower genital tract and endometriosis. In the last decade, laser treatment of SUI and of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) has been shown a promising treatment method in peer-reviewed literature. The purpose of our study is to reveal vaginal CO2 laser treatment as an outpatient and noninvasive treatment method in the treatment of SUI and GSM. The patients included in our study, before and after vaginal CO2 laser treatment were evaluated with urogynecological quality of life questionnaires. The result is in line with the literature reviews. Long-term follow-up studies are needed to confirm that laser treatment is a good, painless outpatient procedure with no side effects in postmenopausal women.