One in three women will experience pelvic floor disorders in her lifetime and nearly 60 percent of postmenopausal women are affected by vaginal dryness. Conservative management is recommended as first line treatment for pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence. Also, vaginal estrogens are often prescribed for symptomatic vaginal atrophy. Lasers have been used in cosmetic industry for connective tissue remodeling and repair of skin. Their use in the last decade for treating genitourinary symptoms of menopause, pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence has gained popularity but there is lack of robust evidence to support its use in routine practice. The European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology calls for high quality evidence with patient related outcome measures before adopting to routine clinical practice.
European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology. 2024 May 21 [Epub ahead of print]
Ilias Giarenis, Sofia Tsiapakidou, Martino Zacche, Sambit Mukhopadhyay, Tahir Mahmood
Department of Gynaecology, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, UK., Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece., Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, James Paget University Hospital, UK., Department of Gynaecology, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, UK; Department of Gynaecology, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, President Elect EBCOG, UK. Electronic address: ., Spire Murrayfield Hospital, Edinburgh, and Chair EBCOG Standing Committee on Standards of Care and Position Statements, UK.