Fractional Co(2) Laser Treatment of the Vulva and Vagina and the Effect of Postmenopausal Duration on Efficacy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: More studies are needed to assess the long‐term safety profile and clinical outcomes of lasers and energy‐based devices to treat the symptoms associated with vulvovaginal atrophy. This study evaluated a series of three fractional CO(2) laser treatments to the vulva and vagina with a 1‐year follow‐up in a postmenopausal population. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective, self‐controlled, open‐label clinical study, 18 postmenopausal females with atrophic vaginitis received 3 monthly treatments to the vulva and vagina with a fractional CO(2) laser system and 1‐, 3‐, 6‐, and 12‐month follow‐up. Investigators used the Vaginal Health Index (VHI) to assess changes in vaginal elasticity, fluid volume, vaginal pH, epithelial integrity, and moisture. Sexual function at each timepoint was subject‐reported, using the validated Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). RESULTS: Treatment of the vulva and vagina in postmenopausal women with fractional CO(2) laser resurfacing resulted in statistically significant improvements as compared with baseline at all post‐treatment and follow‐up intervals to 12 months in VHI and FSFI (P ≤ 0.003 and P ≤ 0.03, respectively). Mean total VHI score increased from a baseline of 11.8–22.8 (93.2% improved) at 6‐month follow‐up (P = 0.0002) slightly decreasing to 21.4 (81.4% improved) at 12‐month follow‐up post‐treatment (P = 0.0003). Mean FSFI Scores increased from a baseline of 17.9–26.3 (46.9% improvement) at 12‐month follow‐up post‐treatment (P ≤ 0.0048). Cohort analysis revealed restoration of normal or near‐normal (23–25) VHI following laser treatment in the recently menopausal (1–3 years) greatly exceeded that of the >3 years postmenopausal population and the difference was statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05). Normal/near‐normal VHI at 3‐, 6‐, and 12‐month post‐treatment was 88%, 88%, and 63% in the recently postmenopausal cohort, as compared with 30%, 40%, and 10% of the >3 years postmenopausal group (P ≤ 0.05). Patient satisfaction following treatment was rated as high at 94% at 12‐month follow‐up. Safety findings demonstrated no‐to‐slight discomfort in the majority of subjects and transient erythema and edema, with no adverse events associated with treatment. CONCLUSION: Fractional CO(2) laser treatment of the vulva and vagina resulted in statistically significant improvements in VHI and FSFI compared with baseline in postmenopausal population that were sustained to 12‐month follow‐up. Restoration of normal VHI was observed in a statistically significant greater percentage in the recently postmenopausal cohort (1–3 years) as compared with postmenopausal cohort of >3 years, suggesting that early intervention is correlated with improved outcomes. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.