Light and energy based therapeutics for genitourinary syndrome of menopause: Consensus and controversies

Gynecologist and plastic surgeons pioneered the application of lasers in medicine and surgery almost 5 decades ago, initially used to treat cervical and vaginal pathologies. Ever since, energy-based devices have been deployed to treat pelvic pathologies and improve fertility. Recent technological developments triggered an unprecedented wave of publications, assessing the efficacy of fractional laser, and radiofrequency on the vaginal wall in reversing natural aging processes. Studies have shown that a certain degree of thermal energy deposited on the vaginal wall stimulates proliferation of the glycogen-enriched epithelium, neovascularization, and collagen formation in the lamina propria, and improves natural lubrication and control of urination. This review aimed to review such data and to guide future research. A unique assembly of experts from around the globe, compiled and edited this manuscript based on a thorough literature review and personal experience. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lasers in surgery and medicine. 2017 Feb 21 [Epub ahead of print]

Yona Tadir, Adrian Gaspar, Ahinoam Lev-Sagie, Macrene Alexiades, Red Alinsod, Alex Bader, Alberto Calligaro, Jorge A Elias, Marco Gambaciani, Jorge E Graviria, Cheryl B Iglesia, Ksenija Selih-Martinec, Patricia L Mwesigwa, Urska B Ogrinc, Stefano Salvatore, Paolo Scollo, Nicola Zerbinati, John Stuart Nelson

Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine, California., Department of Laser Surgery, Mendoza Hospital, Mendoza, Argentina., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel., Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut., South Coast Urogynecology, Laguna Beach, California., Reconstruction & Cosmetic Gynecology, London, UK., Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy., Urogynecology and Aesthetic Gynecology Clinic, Boenos Aires, Argentina., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Pisa, Pisa, Italy., Aesthetics and Laser Medical Educational Center, Korpo Laser, Caracas, Venezuela., Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia., Kalliste Medical Center, Domzale, Slovenia., Juna Clinic, Ljubljana, Slovenia., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cannizzaro Hospital, Catania, Italy., Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.