What Is a Vaginal Rejuvenation Treatment?

There are many different things that make a woman feel confident. While every woman is unique, one thing that can make anyone feel slightly less confident is when their most intimate places show the signs of aging. The good news is that you don’t need to deal with these signs of aging permanently. Our experts at Generations Family Practice Wellness Center in Cary, NC are proud to offer IncontiLase and IntimaLase, a treatment specifically designed to address these feminine health concerns.

What Is a Vaginal Rejuvenation Treatment?

IncontiLase^® is a patent-pending, non-invasive Er:YAG laser therapy for the treatment of mild and moderate stress urinary incontinence, based on non-ablative photothermal stimulation of collagen neogenesis, shrinking and tightening of vaginal mucosa tissue and collagen-rich endopelvic fascia, and subsequently greater support to the bladder.

The indications for IncontiLase therapy are mild and moderate stress- and mixed-urinary incontinence (SUI). Preliminary clinical studies show that it is an efficient, easy-to-perform and safe procedure.

IntimaLase^® is a unique, patent-pending Er:YAG laser therapy for incisionless, non-invasive photothermal tightening of the vaginal canal. Clinical studies have shown that IntimaLase is an efficient, easy-to-perform, and safe procedure.

The indication for IntimaLase is vaginal relaxation syndrome, which is the loss of the optimum structural form of the vagina. This condition is generally associated with overstretching of the vaginal canal during childbirth as well as with natural aging.

This treatment also stimulates muscle contractions and increases blood flow in the target area. It is highly customizable and can be changed to address your specific needs, making it a solution that suits a variety of different women.

What Is This Treatment Used For?

A variety of different feminine health concerns can be treated at the same time using this specialized energy-based treatment. Here are just some of the issues that this treatment can work towards solving:

• Vaginal dryness
• Weak vaginal muscle
• Vaginal laxity
• Decrease in sensation
• Loss of natural lubrication
• Diminished sex drive
• Urinary issues
• Stress incontinence

Female Sexual Dysfunction

Any physical issue that prevents the full expression of a woman’s sexual desire and activity, whether while with a partner or alone, can be classified as female sexual dysfunction. Women are more likely to face such difficulties as they grow older, but the truth is that sexual dysfunction is common among woman of all ages.

Hormones as well as the natural aging process can be related to this problem, causing symptoms such as a lack of vaginal sensation or a diminished ability to produce natural lubrication.

The Reason Hormones May Not Be Adequate

Pronounced dysfunction may be acute enough that treatments such as hormone therapy alone may not be enough to correct the symptoms of dysfunction. This is due to the fact that alleviating sexual dysfunction involves a two-pronged approach. Hormones may boost your ability to feel sexual interest, but they do not address the physical concerns, such as increased blood flow to the vagina, as directly as other treatments.

Age-Related Laxity

As we grow older, skin tissues all over the body begin to grow thinner and weaker. This is a result of the body’s ability to naturally produce collagen gradually slowing down as the years go by. Internal vaginal tissues are impacted by this change in our body just like anything else. This results in a “looseness” of the vagina that many women notice, usually following the onset of menopause.

What Can Cause Vaginal Laxity?

Age may be the leading cause behind vaginal laxity, but it’s certainly not the only reason it can occur. One process that can weaken the muscles of the vagina is giving birth, which can lead to vaginal laxity as a common side-effect. Women who have had more than one vaginal birth are even more likely to face this unfortunate issue. Incontinence issues may also result from the weakening of the pelvic floor due to childbirth.

Incontinence Issues

Regardless of age, a wide variety of women face urinary incontinence problems. Like vaginal laxity, this issue is more common in mature women, but stress and other factors can also cause incontinence in younger women. Giving vaginal birth in the past can be one cause of this issue, as well as previous bladder issues or taking certain medications.

Stress Incontinence vs Urinary Incontinence

Incontinence stems from losing control of your bladder, but there is a big difference between urinary and stress incontinence. Stress incontinence refers to physical stress placed on the bladder, whether from movements of your body that squeeze the bladder, constipation, bladder infections, or pressure caused by other internal organs. On the other hand, a slow-down in your body’s response to specific chemical signals that tell you when to empty your bladder causes urinary incontinence. Whether it is only a small leak while laughing or a complete loss of control of your bladder without warning, both issues constitute urinary incontinence.

Your Initial Consultation

Before beginning treatment, we’ll first confirm that you’re a good candidate for Vaginal Rejuvenation by performing an initial consultation. We’ll discuss your personal goals for the results you’d like to see from treatment, setting the expectations you should have for what treatment can do for you.

We’ll also ask about some relevant medical concerns, such as if you’ve had any treatment for feminine health concerns in the past, when your last period was, as well as your childbearing plans. You should also tell us about any current treatments you’re undergoing for incontinence or sexual dysfunction.

Before Your Treatment

You won’t need to do much at all in order to prepare for this treatment. You should wash the area thoroughly prior to treatment, but you won’t need to shave unless that is your aesthetic preference, and it is also not necessary to douche prior to treatment. This minimally-invasive treatment doesn’t require you to make transportation arrangements for after treatment either, so you can drive yourself to and from your appointment.

Day of Your Appointment

The unique system used to administer this treatment can complete the process in only 30 minutes. You may feel a slight tingling sensation as the treatment device is inserted into the vagina and activated, and you’ll hear several beeping sounds letting you know the treatment is underway. This treatment won’t cause you any pain or discomfort throughout the process.

Follow-Up After Treatment

You won’t have many requirements for aftercare once you’re done with your treatment appointment. As previously stated, you won’t want to douche following the treatment, as your tissues are in a sensitive state following treatment and this could upset the natural balance of your vagina. For the first 24 hours following treatment, you should instead use warm water and soap to gently wash the treatment area.

The Recovery Process

You’ll be able to get right back to your day-to-day routine following treatment with no downtime involved, allowing you to get back to work the same day you have your treatment. However, for at least 24 hours following treatment, it is recommended that patients abstain from any sexual activity. However, exercise and any other activities you have planned for the day apart from that one restriction are all perfectly fine.

How Many Treatments Will I Require?

Most patients will only require 3-4 Treatments. Treatments are done every 4-6 weeks.

When Will I See Results?

Typically, patients will begin to notice an improvement in symptoms such as vaginal laxity and sexual dysfunction within four days to 1 week. It may take six to twelve weeks before significant improvements in urinary incontinence begin to show up.

Every woman will respond slightly differently to treatment, so it’s important that you’re patient and give results time to develop. Mild symptoms may be alleviated within just one month, while more severe concerns may take a number of weeks to clear up.

How Long Will Results Remain?

Results typically last for one year following treatment, but some women have noticed results lasting as long as 18 months. Your increased collagen production will continue to improve results over time, which is the secret to this treatment’s long-lasting effectiveness.

Get Your Confidence Back with IncontiLase and IntimaLase

You don’t have to put up with issues such as urinary incontinence or female sexual dysfunction any longer. The right treatment can help you get back the confidence you desire. Contact Generations Family Practice Wellness Center in Cary, NC today to schedule your initial consultation!