Mona Lisa Touch laser

I just saw an ad in a local magazine here in San Antonio and had never heard of it before.  Here's what the ad said:

"Women Partners In OB/GYN.  Mona Lisa Touch - when is it needed?  Vaginal dryness, Mild urinary incontinence due to vaginal atrophy, Vaginal burning, Decreased vaginal lubrication during sexual activity, Discomfort with intercourse, Genital itching, Light bleeding after intercourse, Vaginal discharge, Shortening and tightening of the vaginal canal."  

I wonder what exactly it is?  I can't imagine worrying about it right now as I'm preoccupied with whether all these twinges are meaning I'm having a recurrence already.  But I sure know my surgeon said I'm as thin as tissue paper down there....

I had very few symptoms before my first cancer diagnosis.  One I had almost every day, once a day, was a twinge in my left side.  Both my ovaries were found to have cancer in them so I think the twinge was coming from the site of the left ovary.  The right side was fine.  Now, after my second cancer surgery, I occasionally have a pain in my right side at about the level of my naval.  I asked the PA at my Cancer Center about it on Friday, and she thought it was from scar tissue.  I'd had extensive surgery both times for stage IVb UPSC.  The second surgery included two resections of my intestines, one for cancer, and one for my intestines that had grown into the mesh from my incisional hernia repair two years after my first surgery.  I suppose there's a chance that you could also have an incisional hernia and that could be what's causing your pain.  Ask the doctor if he/she can feel it the next time you have a check-up.  Pay attention to when you're having the pain--if it's after eating a gassy food or a spicy food, drinking carbonated drinks, etc.  Do you have any reflux symptoms?  They're all things to consider.

I would look for the FDA approved indications. Also check PubMed.Gov and look for peer reviewed double blind study specifically with women who have survived uterine cancer. My first thought is it is not something I would try. My vagina has had enough having had external and brachytherapy in addition to the shock of hysterectomy and chemo. Caution note: when considering laser treatment anywhere on your body for anything one needs to understand the training and experience the provider has with the specific laser and indication. There probably are no long term studies determing how women do over time with the laser. I am 100% confident that having had brachytherapy would be a contraindication.

Lori

LOL! It was early in the morning when I wrote that comment...my vagina has had enough! That was a Freudian slip or lack of caffeine or

the simple truth! Thanks for pointing out the humor in my opine posting:)

Lori

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/846960https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/846960

Interesting article about the lasers for vaginal rejuvenation. Not enough research or evidence for me to risk the procedure. 

Lori

Charissa said:

It Sounds too Good to Be True

Oh, how I could use all of these benefits about now. Lol!

Relief from Painful Intercourse (Hubby doesn’t quite understand, it’s just not the same. I’ve since learned how to fake the big “O” – Ugh!  Each time I eagerly await for the right sensations to return, so I feel normal again. So far, almost a year and a half later – no go!)

Vaginal Lubrication (This was a problem before the hysterectomy, as a symptom of menopause. Hasn’t gotten any better.)

Normalized Tissue (I, too, have the thin tissue – confirmed by the oncologist. Doesn’t help intimacy, as I envision having to be rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery afterward and what would we tell our daughters?)

Urinary Symptoms (This has been a problem ever since the surgery. I swear I have permanent nerve damage. The first year of recovery was pain, while relieving urine.  Now, when I lay down to sleep, my bladder starts spazzing as if there were a baby in there kicking to get out. It is the WEIRDEST feeling!  Not to mention, repetitive false bladder infections.)

Assistance with Incontinence (It would be nice not to wear a panti-liner for this reason only.)

Shortening of the Vaginal Canal (Well, I guess the hubby finds enjoyment in this, but it sure doesn’t find favor with me.  I can’t get the tube sock illustration out of my mind.)

I’ve had some say, "It eventually all goes back to feeling normal."  I’ve yet to have that happen. I sometimes wonder if it’s just me!  Sadly, I think this is my new life. And, like Soup52 and Northwoodsgirl, my girl parts have had enough!!  

 

Sadly, we’ve given up on sex and this renal stent has pretty much sealed that deal (did I tell you it’s horrible). Anyway,you might try vitamin E vaginal suppositories for the vaginal dryness. I found those a Godsend for relieving the urinary burning and phantom UTIs. You can order them on Amazon. They’re pretty cheap and may do the trick. BTW, I’m still trying to use that x@&& dilator a couple times a week but it does nothing. Thinking of abandoning that effort. 

CheeseQueen57 said:

Too Good to be True

Sadly, we’ve given up on sex and this renal stent has pretty much sealed that deal (did I tell you it’s horrible). Anyway,you might try vitamin E vaginal suppositories for the vaginal dryness. I found those a Godsend for relieving the urinary burning and phantom UTIs. You can order them on Amazon. They’re pretty cheap and may do the trick. BTW, I’m still trying to use that x@&& dilator a couple times a week but it does nothing. Thinking of abandoning that effort. 

Thanks, CheeseQueen57.  It's always comforting to know I'm not alone! Again, the hubby just doesn't get it.  His thoughts, "Lets just keep doing it and eventually it will get better." Really??  So, frustrating!

I've tried the Vitamin E vaginal suppositories and that's one of the times I ended up at Urgent Care with a false bladder infection. Ugh! I will give them a try again.  Who would have ever thought I'd be buying KY Jelly by the case. Lol!!! I love Amazon.

Oh, and I kind of abondoned my dialator too.  I only use it when I feel extreme dryness.  Now, I wouldn't tell my radiologist that. He thinks I use it frequently.  I guess I didn't really need it. I feel blessed about that.