Experience of using photodynamic therapy for treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause

This study reports about efficacy and safety of photodynamic therapy in Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM).Material and methods. The study group included 12 patients with a diagnosis of urogenital syndrome of menopause. The trismeglumine salt of chlorin E6 in the form of a 1% gel was used as a photosensitizer. LED phototherapy apparatus Garmonia (photodynamic therapy apparatus (emitter 660 nm) was used as a radiation source. The PDT procedure was performed once every 7 days. The following scales were used to assess the effectiveness: Vaginal Health Index, Visual Analogue Scale, Dermatology Life Quality Index score, and general satisfaction with the course of procedures was also assessed.Results. The patients noted a significant regression of itching, burning, pain and dyspareunia after the course of photodynamic therapy. There was a decrease in dryness, on average, up to 3 points upon completing the course of procedures. Itching completely regressed in 6 out of patients. Dyspareunia significantly decreased in 4 patients and completely disappeared in 2 patients. The greatest effect according to the results of assessing the index of vaginal health was noted in relation to Ph-metry, as well as in relation to elasticity (4.17 points) and moisture (4.33 points). The median satisfaction score with treatment outcomes was 2.7 at last follow-up. There were no serious side effects during the entire period of treatment and after it.Conclusions. The following study reports that the photosensitizer with trismeglumine salt of chlorin E6 and PDT with a wavelength of 660 nm with an exposure for 30 minutes, an energy of 100 J/cm2, a power of 100 mV/cm2 , once every 7 days, is an effective and harmless method of treating GSM.