Vaginas – not exactly something that is talked about much. Lots of alternative words are used, lots of references to ‘bits’ and ‘down below’ and LOTS of interference with them before, during and and after pregnancy and childbirth, yet there is still such a taboo about anything involving them.

You might hear someone asking to make an appointment to see a doctor about their throat, or back, or eye. Will you ever overhear someone asking to speak to a doctor about their vagina, well probably not. People are still getting to grips with discussing breast health, vaginal health, well that’s a bit too much to expect perhaps?

Share your story

Come on people, ladies, let’s help each other out here. The more women that share their stories, the more people that can be helped.

I’ve already told you about about the pioneering clinic in Liverpool putting vaginal health on the map with regards to specialist non-surgical treatments. I want to tell you more about one of their treatments, The MonaLisa Touch.

The MonaLisa Touch is a treatment particularly aimed at post-menopausal women, but it can be hugely beneficial for younger pre-menopausal women as well.

For post-menopausal women

When oestrogen levels decline after the menopause lots of changes start to occur. Millions of women experience painful symptoms that interfere with their quality of life as a consequence. As with lots of things because this involves the vagina then many women suffer in silence for years. The condition the decline in oestrogen causes is often referred to as Vulvovaginal Atrophy – sufferers may experience vaginal dryness, painful sex, painful urination and vulvar discomfort. Some may also suffer with frequent urinary tract infections.

For pre-menopausal women

Pre-menopausal women with higher levels of oestrogen don’t suffer the above symptoms to the same extent, but they may have other post-childbirth issues such as vaginal laxity, fragility, loss of tone and elasticity.

Vaginal deliveries obviously put a strain on the vagina. The more you have, the greater the strain. Pregnancy and childbirth can lead to stretching and strain on the vagina, but again this is something that is under reported by women, many accepting it as just part of the process.

The treatment

Whichever of these stages you are at in life, there is a treatment that can help you, and it’s available at a lovely clinic called Intimate You in Liverpool.

The MonaLisa Touch delivers gentle laser energy to the vaginal wall tissue that stimulates a healing response and enhanced moisture levels in the vaginal canal. A typical treatment is three procedures over 18 weeks.

The laser itself is virtually painless. When you’ve been through pregnancy and childbirth having a laser inserted is nothing. It’s less invasive than a sweep, and although it takes longer than a smear test it’s more comfortable.

Once the laser is inside you it delivers energy pulses, lasting around five minutes, and that’s you done until the next treatment.

Aftercare

There’s a bit of aftercare to take note of, so no sex for a week, no baths or hot tubs for five days, but aside from that you can return to your normal routine. It’s certainly a quick walk in and walk out treatment, which makes it the best kind.

The staff are at the end of an email or phone if you have any questions afterwards.

Does it work?

The team will tell you that they’ve had some great results on women of all ages with the MonaLisa Touch. Many women report symptom relief after the very first treatment and even greater improvements after the second and third treatment.

At your later treatments Dr Sims will be able to visually tell you the difference as well as discussing the changes you have noticed yourself.

Having had a series of three of these treatments myself I can say I have personally noticed a massive difference, and Dr Sims saw a huge difference in the appearance of and health of the tissue. Given that I have had the treatment at the pre-menopausal stage, Dr Sims thought it was likely that the effects of the treatment would last longer. With post-menopausal women a top up treatment every year is recommended.

Four difficult vaginal deliveries certainly took their toll on my body and vagina in particular. The MonaLisa Touch has pretty much reset things and helped it repair a lot of the damage done in pregnancy and childbirth. That’s the bit I find the most clever, the laser basically stimulates the vagina to repair itself! It’s now tighter, stronger, healthier and more sensitive.

Does this sound like something you would benefit from?