TY - JOUR
T1 - Update
T2 - The Clinical Role of Vaginal Lasers for the Treatment of the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
AU - Mounir, Danny M.
AU - Hernandez, Natalia
AU - Gonzalez, Ricardo R.
N1 - Funding Information:
Financial Disclosure: The authors declare that they have no relevant financial interests.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier Inc.
Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2021/5
Y1 - 2021/5
N2 - OBJECTIVE: To educate providers on the emergence of vaginal lasers for the treatment of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and discuss the peer-reviewed literature regarding their use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search of literature databases (PubMed and Medline) was performed for publications in February 2020. Keywords included genitourinary syndrome of menopause, urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, urgency, urinary tract infections, atrophy, laser, and vaginal. We reviewed the available published literature, identifying articles, guidance, and society statements on the use vaginal laser therapies. RESULTS: The literature regarding vaginal laser therapy in the treatment of the GSM is primarily limited to prospective case series with small numbers and short-term follow-up. Nevertheless, these studies have demonstrated reductions in genitourinary syndrome of menopause symptoms. High quality data describing the safety, benefits, and appropriate use of vaginal laser therapy is lacking. CONCLUSION: Vaginal laser treatment for the GSM is of interest as it provides patients with a nonhormonal treatment option. Further research to better outline the indications, efficacy, safety, and applications of this technology is needed before supporting its universal use for the management of the GSM.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To educate providers on the emergence of vaginal lasers for the treatment of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and discuss the peer-reviewed literature regarding their use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search of literature databases (PubMed and Medline) was performed for publications in February 2020. Keywords included genitourinary syndrome of menopause, urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, urgency, urinary tract infections, atrophy, laser, and vaginal. We reviewed the available published literature, identifying articles, guidance, and society statements on the use vaginal laser therapies. RESULTS: The literature regarding vaginal laser therapy in the treatment of the GSM is primarily limited to prospective case series with small numbers and short-term follow-up. Nevertheless, these studies have demonstrated reductions in genitourinary syndrome of menopause symptoms. High quality data describing the safety, benefits, and appropriate use of vaginal laser therapy is lacking. CONCLUSION: Vaginal laser treatment for the GSM is of interest as it provides patients with a nonhormonal treatment option. Further research to better outline the indications, efficacy, safety, and applications of this technology is needed before supporting its universal use for the management of the GSM.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.urology.2020.09.012
DO - 10.1016/j.urology.2020.09.012
M3 - Article
C2 - 32966821
AN - SCOPUS:85092638253
SN - 0090-4295
VL - 151
SP - 2
EP - 7
JO - Urology
JF - Urology
ER -