Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Jc2 on March 29, 2016, 06:27:19 PM
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Just wondering if anyone in the uk has had the Mona Lisa Touch therapy? I have read positive accounts of it being used to treat vaginal atrophy. I wondered if it might help with the recurrent Utis I get which I believe are the result of having VA. Thanks.
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Why Mona Lisa :-\ …….. are you able to tell us more about how it works?
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I've not heard of this before Jc2 but having looked at it online it seems to have had some good results. I don't pretend to understand how it works though!
CLKD - I would think it's called "Mona Lisa Touch" due to the secret smile it might bring to women's faces that they are no longer feeling so uncomfy due to VA ;D
Taz x
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:lol:
Massage - can't one massage one's own vagina :-\ ………. if that's what it takes to relieve VA ;)
If it ain't on the NHS ???
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I think it's a laser treatment - not massage.
Taz x :)
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'touch therapy' ?
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http://www.amandatozer.com/monalisa-touch-can-this-laser-restore-your-sex-life/
Taz x
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It sounds a bit of a gimmick but as a physical procedure might work to a limited extent? However I bet it's expensive - so why not try the tested and proven method - ie local oestrogen - which is available at minimal cost on the NHS nad has no real adverse side effects?
JC2 - here is all the information:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/vaginalsymptoms.php
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/dryness.php
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/local.php
Your GP should be able to prescribe you any of the treatments listed without having to go for the secret smile therapy ;) - and they definitely work!
Oo-er CLKD :o
Hurdity x
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It looks as if JC2 has already been prescribed Vagifem (from past posts) but maybe it's not worked well enough?
Taz x
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Trust me, if vagifem had helped I wouldn't be asking about The Mona Lisa Therapy. Just exploring all avenues. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Thanks very much ladies.
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Hi Jc2 - this was posted by member, nella, on January 28th this year:
"I also did 3 treatments of the Mona Lisa Touch laser therapy for vaginal atrophy, and I have to say, many symptoms (but not the feeling of having to urinate) went away."
Just thought you might find that interesting!
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Hi again JC2 - I'm just wondering whether your GP refused to give you full HRT due to your age? I'm 62 and am still on full HRT - took a bit of persuading though but this may be the way forward for you?
Taz x
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I've been reading up on this laser treatment but I'm wondering how long the effects will last. Its a lot of money to spend if its still only a temporary solution.
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Maybe use the Vagifem every night? It's a low dose and many ladies find it useful every night? Also making sure that 1 lays still after application is important ;)
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Thanks Jenna, that's helpful. I need to consult with a different go. I asked mine if I could use vagifem more than twice a week and she replied no as I'd need progesterone then. I told her I'd read conflicting advise on this forum but it didn't sway her, I bet they hate it when you know more than they do.
Do you really need to lie still after using vagifem for it to be effective?
I haven't discussed full hrt. I think I need a referral to a consultant if I can just get through the gp. It's the constant Utis that get me down.
Hmm, what to do?
Thanks again everyone.
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No that's not so - no need to lie down! When I use Vagifem I insert mine in the morning standing up and stand still for 5 secs max before wandering about and later do my exercise class! The tablets are designed to stick instantly to the vaginal walls and stay there.
Your doc is also completely wrong about the progesterone. I can understand a doc not taking word/advice from random women on a forum but it is important to distinguish this chat part of the site from the main website which is written and maintained by a leading gynaecologist - Dr Currie - current chair of British Menopause Society so docs should take notice of the information presented!
Here is the exact info:
"Low dose vaginal estrogen preparations can be used long term without causing any known systemic effect, and without needing any progestogenic protection of the lining of the womb."
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/dryness.php
Please print it off and take to your doc - or one that is more receptive to up to date information!
Also the other possibility is the Estring if she is funny about more than 10 mcg twice a week. This delivers approx 50 mcg per week - the same as the 2 x 25 mcg and there is nothing about progesterone but perhaps needs monitoring more closely over long period of time:
Endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma
Women with an intact uterus with abnormal bleeding of unknown aetiology or women with an intact uterus who have previously been treated with unopposed oestrogens should be examined with special care in order to exclude hyperstimulation/malignancy of the endometrium before initiation of treatment with Estring.
In women with an intact uterus the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma is increased when oestrogens are administered alone for prolonged periods. The reported increase in endometrial cancer risk among systemic oestrogen-only users varies from 2- to 12-fold compared with non-users, depending on both duration of treatment and on oestrogen dose. After stopping treatment risk remain elevated for at least 10 years.
Endometrial safety of long-term (more than one year) or repeated use of local vaginally administered oestrogen is uncertain. Therefore, if repeated, treatment should be reviewed at least annually, with special consideration given to any symptoms of endometrial hyperplasia or carcinoma.
As a general rule, oestrogen replacement therapy should not be prescribed for longer than one year without another physical, including gynaecological examination being performed. If bleeding or spotting appears at any time on therapy, the reason should be investigated, which may include endometrial biopsy to exclude endometrial malignancy.
The woman should be advised to contact her doctor in case bleeding or spotting occurs during treatment with Estring.
Unopposed oestrogen stimulation may lead to premalignant or malignant transformation in the residual foci of endometriosis. Therefore, caution is advised when using this product in women who have undergone hysterectomy, because of endometriosis, especially if they are known to have residual endometriosis.
http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/1512/SPC
Estring is listed here:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/dryness.php
Also as I've said elsewhere (would have been on a thread of yours?) the NICE Guidelines provide for beoing prescribed local oestrogen more frequently than 2 x 1 0 mcg per week under specialist supervision so if your doc is not playing ask to be referred to someone who knows what they are talking about and/or is prepared to learn!
1.4.11 If vaginal oestrogen does not relieve symptoms of urogenital atrophy, consider increasing the dose after seeking advice from a healthcare professional with expertise in menopause.
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/chapter/Recommendations#managing-short-term-menopausal-symptoms
As for the touch therapy - well maybe a physical treatment does work to some extent - but if it was as good as local oestrogen it would be available on NHS - like endometrial ablation for heavy periods ie as an option. Maybe there are research trials under way?
How old are you? As the others have said full HRT as well as local oestrogen might be the way to go. From this site:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/dryness.php
VAGINAL TREATMENTS
Local estrogen can be used for vaginal and bladder symptoms, when systemic treatment is not desired or appropriate. For some women, vaginal estrogen may be required along with systemic HRT.
Hope this helps and good luck!
Hurdity x :)
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I no of a UK consultant who has been in the States recently , and is interested in the Mona Lisa there is a forum with some very promising results and there are 6 papers saying it is a positive.
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Papers ? peer reviewed?
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http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.monalisatouch.com%2Fsure-and-effective%2F&h=2AQErVnI2
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Thanks very much everyone. Some very interesting information there and just the sort of responses I hoped I might get. Very much appreciated. Onwards and upwards.
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Were you refused full HRT by your doc Jc2 if vagifem alone was not enough? Just thinking it might save you some money!
Taz x
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:thankyou: Maryjane!
One can use Vagifem daily …….. like Ovestin1g, it's for vaginal use and unlikely to affect the rest of the body as it is taken up locally therefore progesterone isn't required :-\
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Bounced for new member