The hormonal and physical changes that occur after childbirth, menopause or cancer treatment may result in symptoms for women that can range from uncomfortable to hindering quality of life, relationships and confidence.
However, there are solutions that can restore function, increase vitality, revive relationships and minimize symptoms.
Women’s sexual health treatments are increasing in popularity. Several new and highly effective procedures have emerged over the past few years. These are non-hormonal, non-surgical in-office procedures that by themselves or in combination can treat vaginal dryness, mild urinary incontinence, decreased sexual function or lichen sclerosis.
At the Falcone Center, we offer four of the most popular options for women of the Mainline, Philadelphia, Maple Shade and Bala Cynwyd areas looking to have some relief from vaginal dryness, decreased sexual pleasure, lichen sclerosis or mild urinary incontinence.
Below is a table of common problems faced by women and treatment options. None of these options require surgery or hormones. All of these treatments are offered at the Falcone Center for Functional, Cosmetic and Integrative Medicine.
Procedure Comparison Chart
Vaginal Atrophy
Symptoms – Drying and irritation that causes pain during sex
Solutions – MonaLisa Touch™, THERMIva
Labia Majora Changes
Symptoms – Intercourse that is less comfortable both physically and emotionally
Solutions – THERMIva
Urinary Incontinence
Symptoms – Leaking urine with coughing, laughing or bouncing. This can be an annoying and embarrassing issue but medications are often intolerable and surgery is not an option for some women.
Solutions – MonaLisa Touch™
Lichen Sclerosis
Symptoms – White patches in the vaginal area and surrounding skin that can result in itching, pain, bruising, cracking, tearing and peeling.
Solutions – MonaLisa Touch™
Where do I begin?
The process begins with a consultation and exam to rule out infections or other potential causes of your symptoms. If you visited your gynecologist in the past few months, bring your last smear report and a note from your doctor regarding any recent issues or treatments you have received.
Once it has been determined that you are a good candidate for treatment, appointments will be scheduled at appropriate intervals to optimize results.
THERMIva and MonaLisa Touch™ are non-surgical procedures available as in-office treatments to women of the Philadelphia, Maple Shade and Mainline area. They are designed and approved to treat conditions typically caused by menopause, aging, childbirth and breast cancer survival.
THERMIva
THERMIva is one of the newer procedures and the results are very positive. It is a non-invasive, non-surgical and non-hormonal method of rejuvenating the vaginal and outer labial tissues using advanced radio frequency heat technology. THERMIva can improve the appearance, elasticity and lubrication of the vagina and surrounding tissues. It also treats minor urinary incontinence by regenerating nervous tissue and can improve orgasmic function.
THERMIva’s wand is smaller than a finger, and is maneuvered manually by a clinician to gently apply radiofrequency heat to all areas inside and outside of the vagina. Patients report absolutely no pain with this procedure, and can see and feel immediate results. THERMIva patients are not required to have downtime and can resume sexual and physical activities immediately.
MonaLisa Touch
MonaLisa Touch™ primarily treats the vaginal mucosam which is the inner tissue of the vagina, improving vaginal atrophy and minor incontinence associated with childbirth and menopause. MonaLisa Touch™ does not affect the outer labia; it is strictly meant to treat the inside tissues of the vagina.
This procedure is done with a CO2 fractional laser that creates micro-injuries to trigger collagen production. A numbing cream will be used before the procedure to reduce any potential discomfort. There are some possible side effects such as redness, swelling and discomfort, but most women say the side effects are temporary, lasting only 2-3 days.
THERMIva vs. MonaLisa Touch™
Below is a comparison of the two most popular feminine rejuvenation technologies, THERMIva and MonaLisa Touch™. Let us help you discover the procedure or combination of procedures that is right for you.
The similarities of THERMIva and MonaLisa Touch™
- Both treat incontinence, lubrication, looseness.
- Both are minimally or non-invasive and are done in a brief office based procedure.
- Both stimulate the body’s natural collagen.
- Both procedures are non-hormonal.
- Both procedures have a similar price range and require 3 treatments separate by 4-6 weeks.
The Differences
- ThermiVa uses Radiofrequency heat; MonaLisa Touch™ uses a Co2 laser.
- ThermiVa’s wand is narrower than a finger, while MonaLisa Touch’s laser is one inch in diameter.
- ThermiVa patients do report minimal post treatment side effects; MonaLisa Touch™ patients have reported temporary redness, swelling and discomfort.
- ThermiVa does not require downtime or physical restrictions, while MonaLisa Touch™ recommends 1-3 days and light physical restrictions.
- ThermiVa can be used on the labia and clitoral area to enhance external tightening; MonaLisa Touch™ only affects the inside tissues of the vagina.
ThermiVA and the MonaLisa Touch™ are both promoted to achieve similar results for resolving the symptoms of menopause, vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. The biggest difference between them is the type of energy used to increase blood flow and promote collagen growth. ThermiVA is a radio frequency device that uses heat to achieve desired outcomes; whereas, the MonaLisa Touch™ uses laser energy to administer heat to penetrate vaginal tissue.
Is treatment using the MonaLisa Touch™ or ThermiVA painful?
MonaLisa Touch™ and ThermiVA are performed in a physician’s office and require little-to-no downtime. You are awake and comfortable for the treatments and may return to normal activity immediately following your procedure. For optimal results patients are advised to refrain from intercourse for the first 24 hours after MonaLisa Touch™ treatment.
How much does the MonaLisa Touch™ and ThermiVA cost?
At the Falcone Center, we price our three treatment ThermiVA and MonaLisa Touch™ packages the same. We can even combine treatments to give you the best of both technologies. This reflects our commitment to giving you the best possible treatment all from one practice. We offer several financing options to help make the procedure affordable. See our website Financing section for more information.
How long do results last using the MonaLisa Touch laser vs. ThermiVA?
Because our bodies continuously age, maintenance is required. Results of the MonaLisa Touch™ treatment, due to the nature of its fractional ablative laser energy, may last a few months longer. With either treatment, results are not permanent. We recommend a single treatment of either MonaLisa Touch™ or ThermiVA every 8-12 months to maintain your results. Most patient are highly satisfied with their treatment therefore one treatment every 8-12 months can be considered a normal part of a women’s anti-aging regimen.
Does the MonaLisa Touch™ or ThermiVA improve or resolve stress incontinence?
Patients from both ThermiVA and MonaLisa Touch™ have reported improvement or resolution to stress incontinence and urinary problems, but there are no specific studies. We recommend augmenting stress incontinence treatment with a O-shot at the time of your first ThermiVa or MonaLisa Touch™ treatment.
