The Clinical Role of LASER for Vulvar and Vaginal Treatments in Gynecology and Female Urology: An ICS/ISSVD Best Practice Consensus Document

Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease
Mario PretiColleen Stockdale

Abstract

In this best practice document, we propose recommendations for the use of LASER for gynecologic and urologic conditions such as vulvovaginal atrophy, urinary incontinence, vulvodynia, and lichen sclerosus based on a thorough literature review. Most of the available studies are limited by their design; for example, they lack a control group, patients are not randomized, follow-up is short term, series are small, LASER is not compared with standard treatments, and most studies are industry sponsored. Because of these limitations, the level of evidence for the use of LASER in the treatment of these conditions remains low and does not allow for definitive recommendations for its use in routine clinical practice. Histological evidence is commonly reported as proof of tissue regeneration after LASER treatment. However, the histological changes noted can also be consistent with reparative changes after a thermal injury rather than necessarily representing regeneration or restoration of function. The use of LASER in women with vulvodynia or lichen sclerosus should not be recommended in routine clinical practice. There is no biological plausibility or safety data on its use on this population of women. The available clinical studies do ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Mar 25, 2020·Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease·Mario Preti
Oct 31, 2020·Climacteric : the Journal of the International Menopause Society·T C Hillard, R E Nappi
Oct 31, 2020·Climacteric : the Journal of the International Menopause Society·T C Hillard
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Jan 8, 2021·European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology·Fabienne LauberAndreas R Günthert
Jun 26, 2021·Gynecological Endocrinology : the Official Journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology·Faustino R Pérez-LópezColleen K Stockdale
Jul 23, 2021·Climacteric : the Journal of the International Menopause Society·T L B BretasF R Pérez-López
Sep 8, 2021·Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research·Neeraj KohliGeorgine Lamvu

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