Must you have given birth to benefit from vaginal laser treatment ?
No. Previous childbirth is not necessary for vaginal laser treatment.
Treatment acts locally on vaginal tissues. Its indication therefore depends on their condition and the symptom to be treated rather than the number of pregnancies or births.
A nulliparous woman may, in particular, have vaginal dryness or pain during intercourse without ever having been pregnant.
Conversely, having given birth does not automatically mean that vaginal laser treatment is indicated.
Why might a woman without children have vaginal dryness ?
Vaginal dryness is not solely associated with pregnancies or childbirth.
It may, in particular, appear :
• at menopause because of declining oestrogen levels ;
• during certain periods of hormonal changes ;
• with certain medicines ;
• in certain medical situations affecting the vaginal mucosa or lubrication.
A woman who has never had children may therefore develop the genitourinary syndrome of menopause in exactly the same way as a woman who has had several pregnancies.
Not having given birth does not protect against vaginal changes associated with declining oestrogen levels.
Is vaginal laser treatment indicated for painful intercourse in a woman without children ?
Not routinely. Pain during intercourse must be diagnosed before laser treatment is considered.
In a woman who has never given birth, pain on penetration may, in particular, be associated with pelvic floor hypertonicity, a vulval condition, infection or vaginal dryness.
If pain mainly results from excessive contraction of the pelvic floor muscles, vaginal laser treatment does not correct the underlying mechanism. Perineal or gynaecological management may be more appropriate.
However, when pain is associated with dryness and mucosal changes, particularly after menopause, local treatment may be discussed.
Can vaginal laser treatment prevent future laxity after childbirth ?
No. Vaginal laser treatment has no preventive indication before pregnancy to avoid possible vaginal laxity after future childbirth.
Pregnancy and childbirth may change vaginal tissues and the pelvic floor, but the extent of these changes cannot be predicted precisely in advance.
Performing laser treatment on normal vaginal tissues before pregnancy therefore cannot prevent changes that may appear after childbirth.
In the absence of a symptom or specific medical indication, no preventive benefit of vaginal laser treatment has been demonstrated.
Can vaginal laser treatment affect a future pregnancy ?
Vaginal laser treatment acts locally on the vagina and is not treatment for the uterus or ovaries. Its aim is not to alter fertility.
It is not a contraceptive method and does not replace any management of a fertility problem.
Vaginal laser treatment is not performed during pregnancy. When pregnancy is planned or possible at the time of treatment, this information must be reported to the doctor.
Article written by Dr Valeria Romano
Dr Valeria Romano supports each patient with a comprehensive approach to the aesthetics of the face, body and intimate areas, and to skin and hair quality. Every treatment is based on a personalised medical assessment.
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