Have You Heard of the Mona Lisa Touch?

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting with Dr. Fay Weisberg, a Toronto-based gynaecologist, who has recently introduced new technology that piqued my interest. I don't have a background in medicine, so I asked her to explain a bit more about the Mona Lisa Touch treatment:

What inspired you to start the FemRenew clinic?

In my years as a gynaecologist, I have come to realize that many women have real issues with their vaginal health,  whether it be pain, dryness, mild incontinence, burning or all of the above.  I have also realized that many women are either embarrassed about these symptoms or have their questions passed over and not answered.  As a result, I have become very sympathetic to these patients, and have made it my mission to help women obtain excellent vaginal health - as it does make a very big difference in their quality of life.  My FemRenew clinic is a forum for me to provide this service.

How does it work?

The Mona Lisa Touch is a laser, developed in Italy, that restores the vagina and to some extent the vulva back the state in which there was estrogen.  By providing laser energy to the vagina, blood flow is restored, helping tissues to promote thickening and return the vagina to a much healthier state.

Who would benefit from it?

Any woman who is in a state of decreased estrogen.  Women who are menopausal, women who are almost menopausal with dry vaginas,  women who have given birth and /or breastfeeding, as well as women who have undergone cancer treatments.

What does it feel like?

The actual laser treatment feels like small vibrations in the vagina and it does not hurt or burn.

Is there a recovery period?

Women can easily book an appointment on their lunch hour or work break.  There is really no downtime, however we ask women not to exercise or have intercourse for 2 days after the treatment.

Are there any side effects people should be aware of?

Side effects are quite minimal. Some women experience a small amount of bleeding from their vagina within a few days and some women feel burning for a few hours after their treatment.

Aside from the physiological benefits, what other lifestyle changes can women make to improve their sex lives? E.g.: diet, exercise etc.

In my experience,  a woman's sex life is multifaceted.  Confidence in a healthy vagina is a great start, but only one of the many parts of a healthy sex life.  Any lifestyle activity that will improve her sense of well being including a healthy diet and regular exercise will help to enhance her sex life.

Does the patient need multiple sessions? Or is it a one-time treatment?

The FemRenew treatment involves 3 treatments, six weeks apart with a reassessment in 6 months and then again in a year. Many patients experience results in after just one treatment.

Any last thoughts?

Vaginal health has been an under-serviced area in gynaecology for a long time.  Over 50% of our menopausal women have complaints of a dry vagina or painful intercourse that are either ignored, overlooked or treated with creams or pills that don't work. I am proud to offer FemRenew as a professional clinic for women to come, share their problems and get helpful advice and treatment options.

Dr. Fay Weisberg (MD, FRCSC) is a Toronto-based gynecologist and infertility specialist with a successful practise focused on contraception, fertility and menopause. Her FemRenew clinic is one of the first in Canada to provide patients with the Health Canada approved, non-hormonal, safe and effective MonaLisa Touch® laser treatment for rejuvenating vaginal and sexual health. Dr. Weisberg’s an active member of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto.