No woman wants to suffer the symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) – especially after undergoing the rigors of breast cancer treatment and successfully achieving survivor status. Yet GSM is an all-too-common side effect among breast cancer patients. It affects as many as 60% of postmenopausal survivors and 40% of premenopausal survivors.
That’s right, cancer treatment can cause menopausal symptoms even in young women. That’s because treatment results in significantly reduced or cessation of estrogen production, just as occurs naturally during menopause. And since estrogen is the hormone that helps keep the vaginal area healthy and functioning properly, lack of estrogen can produce an entire list of unwanted and frustrating symptoms such as:
- Vaginal dryness
- Painful intercourse
- Urinary incontinence
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
These physical symptoms can lead to emotional discomfort, lack of confidence and pulling away from intimate relationships at a time when you want and need positive, post-treatment support.
Hormone-based therapies can help relieve or reverse key symptoms of GSM, but they are not suitable for breast cancer survivors. There are various non-hormonal lubricants and other products you can use to ease some vaginal symptoms, but they provide only temporary relief. And they don’t alleviate urinary incontinence symptoms such as urgent or frequent urination or leakage when you laugh or cough, or painful urinary tract infections.
Breast cancer survivors deserve better!
Real Help Is Available
Instead of using a traditional hormone-based approach to treatment, MonaLisa Touch is a laser treatment specifically designed to help restore vaginal health. It has proven to be impressively effective in reducing the multiple symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause in women the world over. MonaLisa Touch is also proven to benefit breast cancer survivors who suffer from GSM.
A clinical study that tracked results of fractional CO2 laser technology – the science behind MonaLisa Touch -- for treatment of GSM specifically in breast cancer survivors found the treatment to be both safe and effective, delivering “significant reduction of clinical symptoms” without any adverse effects.
Finally! Breast cancer survivors can look forward to an improved quality of life in even more ways. Day-to-day vaginal comfort. No more worries about bladder leakage or UTIs. Greater self-confidence. Renewed intimacy.
Treatment Is Simple
As a cancer survivor it’s hard to imagine looking forward to more treatments, but MonaLisa Touch is amazingly fast and painless. We perform the treatment in-office, and it takes only 5 minutes. The fractional laser targets vaginal skin tissue gently but powerfully, triggering the body’s own healing mechanisms to produce new, stronger and healthier skin, internally and externally.
MonaLisa Touch treatment helps restore premenopausal (or pre-cancer treatment) hydration and vaginal lubrication as well as the slightly acidic pH level within the vaginal canal that helps prevent bacterial and other infections. Skin and symptoms begin to improve following the first treatment and continue to improve as additional treatments further stimulate the natural healing process.
For most women, MonaLisa Touch therapy requires a series of 3 treatment sessions, usually about 6 weeks apart, plus an annual touchup treatment. However, some studies indicate that breast cancer survivors obtain optimal results by adding a fourth initial treatment and then undergoing renewal treatments every 6-9 months instead of annually.
You Can Do This!
You’re a survivor. You deserve the best quality of life, and that certainly includes optimal vaginal health and comfort. You’ve been through so much, why not treat yourself to the final touch – MonaLisa Touch. Your first treatment is just a phone call away.
