Microablative Fractional Radiofrequency as a Therapeutical Option for Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: Perspectives

The genitourinary syndrome in menopause can occur at different stages of life, with different causes or triggering factors, such as prolonged use of antiestrogens, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and extensive vaginal surgeries, which can alter vascularization, hydration, collagen quality, and tissue elasticity. Despite hormonal therapy being considered the best evidenced treatment for genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), there are limitations concerning the latter. Thus, alternative, complementary, or even substitutive treatments have emerged, such as energy use, promoting thermal tissue stimulation to improve tropism. Due to its practicality and feasibility, the micro ablative fractional radiofrequency (MAFRF) has gained space among these energies. It uses high-frequency electromagnetic waves and promotes thermal micro points in the superficial and deep dermis. The safety of these energies limits thermal action laterality and depth. Laterally, it is essential for an adequate regenerative effect without scarring marks or sequelae; the appropriate depth is important for stimulating the obligatory tissue repair response with the production and reorganization of collagen, elastic fibers, increased vascularization and hydration, and the consequent improvement in tropism. In gynecology, the MAFRF is used with therapeutic indication and functional improvement; it is applied to the entire length of the vaginal walls, the vulvar vestibule, urethral meatus, labia minora, clitoris prepuce, labia majora, perineum, and perianal region. The MAFRF has been proved to be an effective and safe treatment for GSM, with long-lasting effects, significantly reducing symptoms and improving vaginal tropism. This review aims to analyze the MAFRF as a non-hormonal therapeutic option for GSM.

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Minimal invasive procedures for the treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Un update

Hellenic Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.33574/hjog.1933 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 35-44

Author(s):

Dimitrios Zacharakis ◽

Eleni Pitsouni ◽

Themos Grigoriadis ◽

Christos Kalantzis ◽

Dimitrios Loutradis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Intensity ◽

Electromagnetic Waves ◽

Platelet Rich Plasma ◽

Vaginal Wall ◽

Minimal Invasive ◽

Long Term Results ◽

Invasive Procedures ◽

Genitourinary Syndrome Of Menopause ◽

Age Related ◽

Genitourinary Syndrome

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a new term for a condition more renowned as atrophic vaginitis. It is used to describe a variety of menopausal symptoms and signs that are related to the physical changes of the vulva, vagina and lower urinary tract. The etiology of GSM is secondary to decreased levels of endogenous estrogens and represents a common but underreported condition. In this update we present novel minimal invasive procedures that may benefit GSM symptoms making particular focus on platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment, hyaluronic acid (HA) treatment and energy-based devices (CO2 laser, YAG laser, radiofrequency device and high intensity focused ultrasounds). Currently, PRP has becoming popular as a non-operative treatment option for GSM symptoms. The principle underlying PRP treatment has to do with its ability to reproduce natural mechanisms of cell regeneration through the sequential secretion of numerous growth factors. Moreover, HA has been widely used as an important ingredient in topical hydrating and lubricating gels or injected for conditions such as dyspareunia. Lately, it has also been used as a new tool to treat age-related fat lysis of the female genitalia and especially the labia majora. Τhe Energy based devices have been recently suggested for the management of GSM. They utilize technologies such as laser, electromagnetic waves and high intensity focused ultrasounds to focus energy in the vaginal wall heating the targeted tissue at various depths without causing any pain or needing a recovery time. These minimal invasive procedures appear to be promising options for the treatment of GSM symptoms. However, further studies are necessary to evaluate more thoroughly the effectiveness and safety of these procedure and assess medium and long term results.

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Dill Extract Induces Elastic Fiber Neosynthesis and Functional Improvement in the Ascending Aorta of Aged Mice with Reversal of Age-Dependent Cardiac Hypertrophy and Involvement of Lysyl Oxidase-Like-1

Biomolecules ◽

10.3390/biom10020173 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 173 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Wassim Fhayli ◽

Quentin Boëté ◽

Nadjib Kihal ◽

Valérie Cenizo ◽

Pascal Sommer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽

Lysyl Oxidase ◽

Elastic Fiber ◽

Ascending Aorta ◽

Functional Improvement ◽

Elastic Fibers ◽

Aged Mice ◽

Age Related ◽

And Function

Elastic fibers (90% elastin, 10% fibrillin-rich microfibrils) are synthesized only in early life and adolescence mainly by the vascular smooth muscle cells through the cross-linking of its soluble precursor, tropoelastin. Elastic fibers endow the large elastic arteries with resilience and elasticity. Normal vascular aging is associated with arterial remodeling and stiffening, especially due to the end of production and degradation of elastic fibers, leading to altered cardiovascular function. Several pharmacological treatments stimulate the production of elastin and elastic fibers. In particular, dill extract (DE) has been demonstrated to stimulate elastin production in vitro in dermal equivalent models and in skin fibroblasts to increase lysyl oxidase–like-1 (LOXL-1) gene expression, an enzyme contributing to tropoelastin crosslinking and elastin formation. Here, we have investigated the effects of a chronic treatment (three months) of aged male mice with DE (5% or 10% v/v, in drinking water) on the structure and function of the ascending aorta. DE treatment, especially at 10%, of aged mice protected pre-existing elastic lamellae, reactivated tropoelastin and LOXL-1 expressions, induced elastic fiber neo-synthesis, and decreased the stiffness of the aging aortic wall, probably explaining the reversal of the age-related cardiac hypertrophy also observed following the treatment. DE could thus be considered as an anti-aging product for the cardiovascular system.

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