Menopause is a natural cycle of a woman’s life, but for many, it puts a damper on their sex lives. Vaginal dryness and itching can lead to pain or burning during intercourse. Nearly 75% of women experience painful sex at some point in their lives.
Painful sex is common, but an advanced treatment is available to improve the natural function of your vagina and enhance your sex life. Dr. Essam Taymour and his team at Gynecology and Obstetrics Medical Group in Long Beach, California, offer MonaLisa Touch™ laser treatments as part of our comprehensive menopause management plans.
Here’s what you need to know about these laser treatments and how they improve your sex life.
Are menopause symptoms affecting your sex life?
Vaginal dryness is a common symptom of menopause, and it’s not the only one. The changing hormones associated with menopause can affect vaginal tissue, making it thinner as a result of lost collagen and reduced lubrication.
Thinner, less lubricated skin leads to vaginal itching, painful urination, and sexual intercourse. Together, these less-than-pleasant symptoms can make intimacy uncomfortable or even downright painful.
Rev up your sex life and say goodbye to painful intercourse
The good news is that there are many ways to reduce your discomfort during intercourse:
- Use lubricants to address dryness
- Change positions if needed
- Communicate about your needs with your partner
- Don’t rush (foreplay can increase your natural lubrication)
You might also consider CO2 fractional laser treatment. At Gynecology and Obstetrics Medical Group, Dr. Taymour offers the MonaLisa Touch laser treatment. It’s designed to alleviate some of the most common symptoms of menopause, such as vaginal dryness, and it can help boost your sex life.
How do laser treatments work?
During your MonaLisa Touch treatment, your provider inserts a special laser probe into your vagina, where laser energy targets the vaginal wall and stimulates new collagen production. As collagen production increases, so does your natural lubrication. As a result, you experience less dryness and itching. Another benefit is reduced incontinence.
The MonaLisa Touch procedure features:
- Quick in-office treatments (about 30 minutes)
- No downtime needed
- No hormones
- No synthetic chemicals
Patients typically tolerate laser treatments well, and we offer topical anesthetic cream to further enhance your comfort during the procedure. After your session, you’re free to carry on with your normal daily routines.
Although you may need to refrain from intercourse for 2-3 days after the procedure, fractional laser treatment can help you rev up your sex life and say goodbye to some irritating symptoms of menopause.
Managing other elements of menopause
For many women, menopause symptoms go beyond painful intercourse. You might also experience depression, sleep problems, fatigue, hot flashes, weight gain, and mood swings. Some of these symptoms, especially fatigue, can also impact your sex life.
Managing all of your menopause symptoms is important to restore your quality of life 一 both in the bedroom and out. That’s why Dr. Taymour may also recommend nutritional supplements, talk therapy, low-dose antidepressants, and hormonal therapies to help you achieve full mental and physical wellness.
Menopause can be a challenging time, but we’re here to help you overcome any issues you have — from painful sex to mood swings. To learn more about MonaLisa Touch laser therapy, book an appointment today. You can reach us at 562-247-3038 or send a request through our online portal.