Sexual function after vaginal erbium laser: the results of a large, multicentric, prospective study

Abstract

The aim of this multicentric, prospective study was to evaluate the effects of vaginal erbium laser (VEL-SMOOTH^®) on sexual function in postmenopausal women suffering from the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). This study was performed on an outpatient basis without anesthesia or drug use before or after the intervention, using an erbium laser (XS Fotona Smooth^®, Fotona, Ljubljana, Slovenia) in 1081 postmenopausal women (age 54.3 ± 3.9 years) treated with up to three laser applications every 30 days. Patients were assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R). No adverse events were recorded during the study. The FSDS-R scores (n = 554), from basal values of 25.5 ± 3.5, were 11.5 ± 3.0, 10.5 ± 3.5 and 11.5 ± 3.5 at the 4-, 12- and 24-week follow-ups, respectively (p < 0.01 vs. corresponding basal values). Individual FSFI domain scores (n = 569) significantly (p < 0.001) increased after VEL-SMOOTH^® treatment and remained significantly higher up to the 24th week after the end of treatment. The total scores, from basal values of 15.5 ± 1.5, were 27.5 ± 2.5, 27.6 ± 2.7and 27.0 ± 3.5 at the 4-, 12- and 24-week follow-ups, respectively (p < 0.01 vs. corresponding basal values). Albeit not randomized, this large, prospective study shows that VEL-SMOOTH^® treatment may improve sexual function in postmenopausal women suffering from GSM.

摘要

这项多中心前瞻性研究的目的是评价阴道铒激光(vell - smooth^®)对绝经后患有泌尿生殖系统综合征(GSM)的妇女性功能的影响。这项研究是在门诊进行的, 在干预前或干预后均不使用麻醉或药物, 30天内使用铒激光(XS Fotona Smooth^®, Fotona, Ljubljana, Slovenia)对1081名绝经后妇女(年龄54.3±3.9岁)进行3次激光治疗。采用女性性功能指数(FSFI)和女性性窘迫量表(FSDS-R)对患者进行评估。研究期间未发生不良事件。FSDS-R评分(n = 554)从基础值25.5±3.5分, 在4周、12周和24周随访时分别升至11.5±3.0、10.5±3.5和11.5±3.5分(p<0.01和相应的基数值相比)。个体FSFI域评分(n = 569)在VEL-SMOOTH^®治疗后显著增加(p<0.001), 并在治疗结束后的第24周依然持续。在4周、12周和24周的随访中, 总评分从基础值为15.5±1.5分别为上升至27.5±2.5、27.6±2.7和27.0±3.5 (p<0.01)。尽管不是随机的研究, 这项大型前瞻性研究表明, VEL-SMOOTH^®治疗可以改善绝经后泌尿生殖系统综合征患者的性功能。

Keywords:

• Menopause
• genitourinary syndrome of menopause
• sexual function
• vaginal erbium laser

Potential conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Source of funding

Nil. The authors wish to thank Santec srl for the support in data handling and elaboration.