RenovaLase® Is Now at MAUD: A New Treatment for Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) in Calgary
Menopause can change much more than your menstrual cycle.
Vaginal dryness, burning, irritation, discomfort during sex and changes in urinary function can all occur during perimenopause and menopause. Together, many of these symptoms fall under a condition known as Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM).
And while GSM is common, it doesn't mean you simply have to live with it.
At MAUD Medical Clinic, we believe vaginal health is health - and people experiencing vaginal changes during menopause deserve access to information, medical assessment and treatment options.
That is why we are excited to introduce RenovaLase® at MAUD Medical Clinic in Calgary, expanding the treatment options available to patients experiencing symptoms associated with Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause and vaginal atrophy.
RenovaLase® is a non-invasive, non-ablative Er:YAG laser treatment developed by Fotona for symptoms associated with vaginal atrophy.
If you are experiencing vaginal changes during perimenopause or menopause and are interested in RenovaLase®, we encourage you to start with a conversation with one of our medical doctors.
BOOK WITH A MAUD MEDICAL DOCTOR →
What Is Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)?
Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause, commonly called GSM, describes a collection of genital, sexual and urinary symptoms associated with hormonal changes during menopause.
Estrogen plays an important role in maintaining the health of vaginal and vulvar tissue. As estrogen levels decline during perimenopause and menopause, the vaginal tissues may become thinner, drier and less elastic. Changes can also occur in vaginal lubrication, pH and tissue health.
Symptoms of GSM can include:
Vaginal dryness
Vaginal burning or irritation
Vulvar discomfort
Reduced vaginal lubrication
Pain or discomfort during intercourse
Changes in sexual function
Urinary urgency or frequency
Burning or discomfort with urination
Recurrent urinary tract infections
Changes in vaginal tissue and elasticity
For some people, symptoms are relatively mild. For others, they can significantly affect intimacy, sexual function, relationships and everyday quality of life.
One of the most important things to know about GSM is that there are treatment options.
Why Does Menopause Cause Vaginal Dryness and Painful Sex?
Declining estrogen can change the structure and function of vaginal tissue.
The tissue may become thinner and less elastic, and natural lubrication may decrease. This can contribute to dryness, irritation, burning and discomfort or pain during penetration.
These symptoms are sometimes dismissed as a normal consequence of getting older.
At MAUD, we think they deserve a medical conversation.
There are several approaches to managing GSM, including vaginal moisturizers and lubricants, local vaginal estrogen, other prescription therapies and pelvic floor treatment.
MAUD is now introducing another option that may be considered for appropriate patients: RenovaLase® vaginal laser treatment.
What Is RenovaLase®?
RenovaLase® is a non-invasive, non-ablative Er:YAG laser treatment developed by Fotona for symptoms associated with vaginal atrophy.
The treatment uses Fotona's SMOOTH® technology to deliver controlled laser energy to vaginal tissue.
Unlike an ablative laser treatment, the purpose of RenovaLase® is not to cut or surgically remove vaginal tissue. Instead, the technology produces mild, controlled heating within the vaginal tissue.
This controlled thermal effect is intended to stimulate processes including fibroblast activity, vascular changes and new collagen formation.
But what exactly does Er:YAG laser mean?
What Is an Er:YAG Laser?
You may have heard about laser treatments for skin, aesthetics and other areas of medicine, but not all lasers are the same.
The laser technology used for RenovaLase® is called Er:YAG, which stands for Erbium:Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet.
The name refers to the crystal used within the laser to generate a particular wavelength of light.
An Er:YAG laser operates at a wavelength of 2,940 nanometres (nm). This wavelength is highly absorbed by water within human tissue.
Why is that important?
Because our tissues naturally contain water, the Er:YAG wavelength allows laser energy to interact with tissue in a controlled and precise manner.
RenovaLase® uses Fotona's proprietary SMOOTH® mode, which delivers sequences of Er:YAG laser pulses designed to create controlled heating of the vaginal tissue without cutting or surgically removing it.
The goal of this controlled heating is to stimulate the body's natural tissue-remodelling processes.
One of those processes involves collagen.
Collagen is an important structural protein that contributes to the strength, support and elasticity of tissue. RenovaLase® treatment is designed to stimulate fibroblast activity and new collagen formation within the treated tissue.
In simpler terms: the Er:YAG laser delivers controlled energy to the vaginal tissue with the goal of stimulating tissue remodelling.
What Symptoms May RenovaLase® Help Address?
RenovaLase® was developed for symptoms associated with vaginal atrophy, which commonly occurs as part of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause.
People interested in treatment may be experiencing symptoms such as:
Vaginal dryness: Reduced estrogen can decrease natural lubrication and affect the vaginal tissues.
Painful intercourse: Vaginal dryness and tissue changes may make penetration uncomfortable or painful. This is also known medically as dyspareunia.
Burning or irritation: Some people experience persistent vaginal or vulvar irritation, burning, itching or general discomfort.
Changes in vaginal tissue: Menopause-related hormonal changes can affect vaginal thickness, elasticity, hydration and tissue quality.
It is important, however, not to automatically assume that every vaginal symptom is caused by menopause.
Infections, vulvar skin conditions, pelvic floor dysfunction and other medical conditions can sometimes cause similar symptoms.
That is one reason MAUD encourages patients interested in RenovaLase® to speak with a medical doctor first.
Is RenovaLase® Hormone-Free?
Yes. RenovaLase® itself is a non-hormonal treatment.
For some people, the ability to explore a non-hormonal treatment option may be particularly appealing.
However, being non-hormonal does not automatically make RenovaLase® the best treatment for everyone.
Depending on your symptoms, medical history and preferences, treatment options for GSM may include:
Vaginal moisturizers
Lubricants
Local vaginal estrogen
Other prescription therapies
Pelvic floor physiotherapy
Sexual health support
RenovaLase® vaginal laser
A combination of treatment approaches
The goal isn't simply to choose the newest technology.
The goal is to determine what makes sense for you.
A New Vaginal Laser Treatment at MAUD Medical Clinic
Bringing RenovaLase® to MAUD is exciting for us because it expands the options we can offer people experiencing vaginal changes during menopause.
MAUD was created around a simple belief:
Vaginal health is health.
We want people to have somewhere they can comfortably say:
"Sex has become painful."
"I'm dry all the time."
"I'm constantly irritated."
"Something has changed since menopause."
"I don't know what's happening to my body."
These are healthcare conversations.
MAUD's medical doctors already provide care for menopause and hormone support, vaginal health, pelvic concerns, sexual function and other intimate health concerns.
The introduction of RenovaLase® at MAUD Medical Clinic gives our patients another treatment option that can be considered within a broader medical conversation about vaginal and menopause health.
RenovaLase® Isn't About “Vaginal Rejuvenation”
At MAUD, we think language matters.
Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause is a health concern — not a cosmetic failure.
We don't believe women should be made to feel that their vagina needs to look or feel “younger.”
Our interest in RenovaLase® is about vaginal comfort, tissue health, sexual health and quality of life.
If sex hurts, that's worth discussing.
If you're experiencing persistent dryness, that's worth discussing.
If something has changed and you aren't sure why, that's worth discussing.
And you don't need to know what treatment you need before coming to see us.
Interested in RenovaLase®? Talk to a MAUD Medical Doctor
If you're experiencing vaginal dryness, irritation, painful intercourse or other vaginal changes during perimenopause, menopause or post-menopause, your first step can simply be a conversation.
You don't need to decide whether RenovaLase® is right for you before booking an appointment.
That's what your medical consultation is for.
A MAUD medical doctor can discuss your symptoms, review your health history and talk with you about the different options that may be appropriate for managing GSM.
If you're specifically interested in RenovaLase® for Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause, tell us.
We can help you understand the treatment, discuss potential benefits and risks, answer your questions and determine whether you may be an appropriate candidate.
REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT WITH A MAUD MEDICAL DOCTOR →
Why Come to MAUD for Vaginal and Menopause Health?
MAUD Medical Clinic is a Calgary women's health clinic focused on vaginal, pelvic, sexual and reproductive health.
Our approach is education-led and designed to give patients the opportunity to understand what is happening with their bodies and participate in decisions about their care.
Our medical doctors provide care for vaginal health concerns, menopause and hormone support, sexual health, contraception, cervical cancer screening, pelvic concerns and other areas of women's health.
And we continue to expand the treatment options available to our patients.
The introduction of Fotona RenovaLase® at MAUD is another step forward.
It allows us to offer an advanced, non-hormonal Er:YAG vaginal laser treatment while maintaining something we believe technology should never replace:
A conversation with a medical doctor about your health.
Looking for RenovaLase® or GSM Treatment in Calgary?
If vaginal dryness, irritation, painful sex or other menopause-related vaginal changes are affecting your comfort or quality of life, come talk to us.
There may be more options available than you realize.
Whether the right approach for you involves vaginal estrogen, pelvic floor physiotherapy, supportive products, RenovaLase® or another treatment, the first step is understanding what is happening and discussing your options.
If you're interested in RenovaLase® vaginal laser treatment for GSM in Calgary, request an appointment with a MAUD medical doctor.
BOOK WITH A MAUD MEDICAL DOCTOR AT MAUD →
Because vaginal health is health.
And at MAUD, we're continuing to bring better conversations, advanced technology and more treatment options to vaginal healthcare in Calgary.
This information is provided for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Evidence regarding vaginal laser and other energy-based treatments for GSM continues to evolve. Treatment suitability, potential benefits, risks and alternatives should be discussed with a qualified healthcare provider.
