Pieralli A, et al. – The long–term impacts of the fractional CO₂ laser for the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) symptoms are assessed in this study. Long–term data demonstrated that the improvement of vaginal health may continue up to 24 months after fractional CO₂ laser treatment although between 18 and 24 months benefits decline, and approximately 80% of women decide to start a new treatment cycle of laser applications.

Methods

• In this study, women presenting with VVA symptoms and meeting inclusion criterion were enlisted to fractioned CO2 laser therapy.
• Patient's satisfaction was measured on five–point Likert scale at 4 weeks and 6, 12, 18, 24 months after treatment by interview and clinical examination for vaginal livability.

Results

• In this study, total 184 patients constituted the final study group.
• Out of 184 patients, 128 women were spontaneous menopause and 56 were oncological menopause.
• 117 women were nulliparous and 36 had previous hysterectomy.
• 95.4% (172/184) of the patients declared that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the procedure at 4 weeks after treatment.
• At 6 months 92% (170/184) patients were satisfied; at 12 months 72% (118/162) were satisfied; at 18months 63% (60/94) were satisfied; at 24 months 25% (4/16) of patients answered they were still satisfied.
• They found a decline in patient’s satisfaction between 18 and 24 months after laser therapy.
• Information demonstrated that the time interval from onset of menopause was a statistically significant factor (p < 0.05) for treatment satisfaction in oncological group.