La Regenerative Gynecology aims to improve the genital function and sexual health of women.
It is a new area of Gynecology that arises from the increase in the needs of women to invest in their sexuality and quality of life in a more comprehensive way.
This new area can respond to those women who do not achieve satisfactory or lasting benefits with standard therapies.
La regenerative gynecology It is based on the repair or regeneration of tissues to restore a damaged function that appears with age or other factors.
This fact can occur in different situations that can affect the genital area of the woman. Such as genitourinary syndrome of menopause, vulvar lichen sclerosus, painful scars, and vaginal hypermobility syndrome.
Regenerative Gynecology, which is offered at the Dra. Gómez Roig Institute, provides different treatments that biostimulate and restore the functionality of the different tissues of the genital area.
The different treatments can be used in isolation or in combination. It will always be assessed individually on a case-by-case basis.
Next, we explain the different entities that can benefit from our assistance and treatments.
Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
The genitourinary syndrome of the menopause It is a broad concept that includes vulvovaginal (vulvovaginal atrophy) and urinary tract symptoms resulting from lack of estrogen at menopause.
It is a very common problem in the population.
In Spain, up to 90% of menopausal women between the ages of 55 and 75 suffer from it.
On the other hand, in a high percentage of women it affects their health in general and their sexuality, decreasing their quality of life.
Therefore it is important consult your gynecologist Since without adequate treatment the symptoms will progress over time.
La Regenerative Gynecology has a positive role in the treatment of this pathology.
What is vulvovaginal atrophy?
The vagina is a tubular organ that communicates the cervix with the vulva. When menopause occurs estrogen levels decrease producing negative effects on the vagina.
The vulva comprises the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and the entrance to the vagina or vestibule. And it is also affected by decreased hormonal levels.
In addition, it must be taken into account that sometimes the vulvovaginal atrophy It is associated with urinary incontinence. Since both aging and the decrease in estrogen affect the support tissues of the pelvic floor.
How is vulvovaginal atrophy diagnosed?
The diagnosis is based on the symptoms and physical examination of the patient.
Complementary tests can be performed which, although not necessary, can serve as a guide or to make a differential diagnosis with other pathologies.
The vagina loses elasticity, its sensitivity increases and changes occur in the vaginal microbiota (flora). All of this predisposes women to burning, pain with sexual intercourse and an increase in vaginal and urinary infections.
The anatomy of the vulva also changes with menopause, and its size, elasticity and hydration may decrease.
Furthermore, most women who feel pain with intercourse It is located in the vulva, at the entrance of the vagina.
What services and treatment does the regenerative gynecology unit offer?
The Regenerative Gynecology Treatments They have been introduced as complementary therapy for genitourinary syndrome of menopause when standard therapy (moisturizers and/or hormone therapy) has insufficient effect or is contraindicated.
Dr. Laura Lopez
They can be used alone or in combination, and the indication will be assessed individually.
- Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid is a substance with great hydration capacity. It is administered by intradermal microinjections into the skin and genital mucosa.
- Laser: Laser therapy is based on stimulating the body's own biological mechanisms to repair and/or regenerate tissues. It is minimally invasive and generally consists of 3 treatment sessions, one session every 4-6 weeks, performed on an outpatient basis. Furthermore, in cases of vulvovaginal atrophy associated with mild urinary incontinence, the laser can be useful by improving the connective tissue of the vagina and urethra.
- Platelet Rich Plasma: Platelet-rich plasma contains a high content of elements that stimulate the regeneration and vascularization of tissues. The plasma is obtained by means of a small blood sample from the same patient and that will later be applied by means of intradermal microinjections in the genital area to be treated.
Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus
El Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus It is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown cause and currently without curative treatment.
There are two age peaks in which its appearance is more frequent, one is in the prepubertal age and the other in the peri-postmenopausal stage.
The real prevalence of this disease is unknown mainly because it is a underdiagnosed disease.
Regenerative gynecology offers a possibility of treatment in this pathology.
What is vulvar lichen sclerosus?
El vulvar lichen sclerosus It is an inflammatory disease that generally affects the anogenital area.
In addition, the main symptom that patients present is vaginal itching or genital, can often be associated with pain with intercourse, which to varying degrees can affect a woman's quality of life.
The first-line treatment is topical corticosteroids, an effective treatment, but with side effects and a chronic regimen that sometimes makes good compliance difficult.
How is vulvar lichen sclerosus diagnosed?
El diagnosis It is mainly based on the clinical and physical examination of the anogenital area.
Generally, a biopsy is not required for diagnostic confirmation and it will only be indicated in cases of doubt.
It is very important to avoid diagnostic delay, since treatment in early stages can prevent disease progression and possible anatomical changes in the vulva.
What services and treatment does the regenerative gynecology unit offer for Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus?
The first-line treatment of lichen sclerosus is topical corticosteroids.
This treatment is effective, but it has local side effects, such as weight loss and skin atrophy.
In addition, it is a chronic treatment with a regimen of long-term use and that requires good compliance by the patient.
As a consequence of these limitations, complementary therapies have emerged with the aim of improving the current protocol for the vulvar lichen sclerosus treatment.
- Laser: Laser therapy is based on stimulating the tissues to repair and/or regenerate them again. It is a minimally invasive treatment. It usually consists of 3 treatment sessions, one session every 4-6 weeks, which are performed on an outpatient basis without the need for admission.
- Platelet Rich Plasma: Platelet-rich plasma contains a high content of elements that stimulate the regeneration and vascularization of tissues. The plasma is obtained by means of a small blood sample from the same patient and that will later be applied by means of microinjections into the skin of the genital area to be treated.
painful scar
Sometimes a scar can be painful. This can occur from the first moment postpartum, or become painful areas with tissue atrophy that occurs in menopause.
What is a painful scar?
It is a scar that can cause pain due to fibrosis, the tissue retraction and excessive tension in the affected area.
The pain appears above all with sexual intercourse at the time of penetration. Condition that affects a woman's sexuality and consequently her quality of life.
What services and treatment do we offer for Painful Scar?
Thanks to Regenerative Gynecology We have effective complementary therapies for this problem, which can limit and affect the quality of life of the woman who suffers from it.
These treatments are useful for both episiotomy scars and any painful scars on the vulva or vagina.
- Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid is a substance with great hydration capacity. It is administered by microinjections in the affected area.
- Platelet Rich Plasma: Platelet-rich plasma contains a high content of elements that stimulate tissues. The plasma is obtained by means of a small blood sample from the same patient and that will later be applied by injections with a fine needle into the skin of the scar to be treated.
We also have our scar treatment pack offered by our rehabilitation service. This pack can complement these therapies.
Vaginal hypermobility syndrome
El vaginal laxity syndrome or vaginal relaxation is the loss of tension of the vaginal walls.
Sometimes associated with urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapsebut it can occur in isolation.
In addition, in most cases it occurs in women who have had one or more vaginal deliveries, but it can have a multifactorial origin. Even pregnancy itself can cause this distension in women who have had a cesarean delivery.
What is vaginal hypermobility syndrome?
A dysfunction of the pelvic floor Produced by a weakness of the muscles and supporting tissues produced by pregnancy and/or childbirth.
It is a generally subjective condition that can be reflected in a decrease in satisfaction during intercourse and in the appearance of vaginal farting that can physically or mentally affect women.
Sometimes it is also accompanied by mild urinary incontinence, and it can be reported by both young postpartum women and postmenopausal women.
What services and treatments does the regenerative gynecology unit offer for vaginal hypermobility syndrome?
El Vaginal hypermobility syndrome It is a pelvic floor dysfunction that usually occurs after childbirth.
Physiotherapy and pelvic floor rehabilitation It is indicated in mild cases and generally in all postpartum cases to prevent this syndrome from appearing.
In mild or moderate cases, accompanied or not by mild urinary incontinence, the indication of laser treatment as complementary treatment in the postpartum period or in postmenopausal women with associated vulvovaginal atrophy.
CO2 Laser Labiaplasty
La labiaplasty, also known as female intimate surgery, is an increasingly requested intervention within the field of regenerative gynecology.
Its objective is to improve the aesthetics and functionality of the labia minora or majora of the vulva, relieving physical discomfort and promoting intimate well-being.
Thanks to the use of advanced technologies such as CO₂ laser, the procedure is precise, minimally invasive and with a faster recovery.
If you'd like to know more about how it's performed, its benefits, indications, and postoperative care, you can access the full article: Labiaplasty, intimate surgery for women.
Video Regenerative Gynecology
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- About the Author
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Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Service at the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in Barcelona. Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Coordinator of the Sixth Course of Medicine at the University of Barcelona, UB. Director of the Dra. Gómez Roig Institute and Coordinator of Obstetric and Gynecological Processes at the Corachan Clinic in Barcelona.