Many people in menopause explore MonaLisa Touch laser treatment to improve symptoms like vaginal dryness and pain during sex. These experiences are common and can get better with treatment.
MonaLisa TouchⓇ CO2 Fractional Laser is a clinically studied, minimally invasive procedure developed specifically to address these changes. The laser promotes healthy tissue repair. It works without hormones, requires no surgery and fits comfortably into a busy schedule in under 15 minutes per visit.
“For many patients, the improvements have an impact well beyond the physical. They restore confidence in intimate relationships and meaningfully improve their lives,” says Andrew Croak, DO, urogynecologist and director of Mercy Health – St. Luke’s Urogynecology and Pelvic Rehabilitation in our Toledo market.
If you are experiencing menopause symptoms and think MonaLisa Touch is right for you, make an appointment with an OB-GYN or urogynecologist to discuss your options.
What is MonaLisa Touch?
MonaLisa Touch is a medical laser therapy for the physical changes in vaginal health during menopause. As estrogen levels naturally decline, many people experience genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), such as vaginal dryness and painful sex.
MonaLisa Touch uses a calibrated laser probe that delivers controlled energy to tissues of the vagina and vulva. This causes the body to regenerate collagen, improve moisture retention and restore a healthy blood supply. The result is tissue that is better hydrated and more resilient.
MonaLisa Touch is the first laser procedure of its kind to be recognized by the FDA for treating GSM. Only pelvic health specialists – including urogynecologists, urologists and female pelvic health providers – can offer MonaLisa Touch therapy.
What conditions does MonaLisa Touch treat?
While MonaLisa Touch was developed for GSM, it addresses other related conditions:
- Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM): MonaLisa Touch targets the core symptoms of GSM, including vaginal dryness, vulvovaginal irritation (sometimes described as a sandpaper-like sensation) and painful intercourse (dyspareunia).
- Lichen sclerosus: This chronic condition causes white patches, thinning and persistent irritation of the vulvar tissue. Traditional steroid therapies may thin the skin further without fully resolving the condition. MonaLisa Touch’s regenerative approach addresses both the discomfort and the underlying tissue changes, and for many patients represents a significant turning point in managing this condition.
- Vaginal scarring: MonaLisa Touch can make scar tissue more pliable and comfortable. This improves vaginal tightness or scarring due to prior procedures, radiation or childbirth.
- Urinary symptoms: MonaLisa Touch wasn’t designed to treat urinary symptoms directly but can have a positive effect by improving tissue tone in the area supporting the bladder and urethra. Many patients report improvement in mild urinary urgency and frequency, as well as reductions in recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bacterial vaginosis.
Who is a good candidate for MonaLisa Touch?
MonaLisa Touch can help a wide range of patients at any age. You may be a good candidate if you:
- Experience vaginal dryness, irritation, painful intercourse or urinary changes related to declining estrogen
- Have been diagnosed with lichen sclerosus and have seen limited improvement with topical steroids
- Cannot use vaginal estrogen therapy (VET) due to thromboembolic, cardiovascular or metabolic health conditions
- Have tried VET but found it ineffective, difficult to use or cost-prohibitive
- Are a breast cancer survivor or have a hormone-sensitive health history that makes hormonal therapies inappropriate
Before treatment, your provider will confirm a recent normal Pap smear and perform a pelvic exam to rule out active infections, significant prolapse or other conditions that should be addressed first. People with a history of pelvic floor surgery, vaginal mesh, radiation or scarring should share that history at their consultation. In most cases, treatment can still be safely tailored to their needs.
How does the MonaLisa Touch procedure work?
During each session, your clinician carefully places a small laser probe into the vaginal canal. The probe delivers laser energy to the vaginal wall in a precise pattern. This energy triggers the body’s natural healing response to:
- Stimulate new collagen
- Improve blood flow
- Restore hydration
The external vulvar tissue can also be treated using the same regenerative approach.
Each session takes approximately five to 10 minutes.
How many sessions do I need?
Most patients start with three sessions, spaced six weeks apart. This schedule is based on clinical research for the most effective approach. Three treatments produce optimal results for most patients.
After that, a single annual maintenance session helps you sustain results. Your provider will discuss your schedule based on your individual symptoms during your consultation.
What are the side effects?
MonaLisa Touch is extensively studied for its safety. Mild, short-lived effects following treatment may include:
- Light spotting or vaginal discharge
- Temporary warmth or mild irritation in the treated area
- Mild swelling or sensitivity that resolves within 24 to 48 hours
Does it hurt?
Most patients describe a sensation of gentle vibration or mild pressure, not pain. In general, the majority of patients find it comfortable throughout.
You can also request topical numbing cream. This can be especially helpful for patients experiencing significant vaginal dryness or sensitivity.
How long do results last?
Results from the three-session regimen typically last one to two years. Annual maintenance appointments help results continue to last.
Most patients notice gradual improvement after each session and experience the full benefit about four to six weeks after completing the first three sessions.
What is the recovery time?
There is minimal downtime. Patients drive themselves to and from their appointments and resume normal daily activities immediately after treatment.
For the 48 hours following each session, Dr. Croak recommends patients:
- Avoid inserting anything into the vagina, including tampons, applicators or during intercourse
- Avoid activities that place pressure on the perineal area, such as cycling or horseback riding
- Choose showers over baths
Results take time, so you can continue to use lubrication while the treatment continues to take effect. Any prescribed topicals for vulvovaginal conditions can be continued to support the healing process.
How much does MonaLisa cost?
“At our practice in Toledo, MonaLisa Touch is priced at $700 per session – that’s $2,100 for the recommended three-session initial regimen,” Dr. Croak says. “We see patients regularly who travel from larger cities because the combined cost of travel, accommodations and treatment here is less than what they would pay closer to home.”
It is also useful to consider MonaLisa Touch against the long-term cost of other therapies. Vaginal estrogen therapy (VET), depending on insurance coverage, can exceed $400 for a six-week tube. The total yearly cost of VET may be similar to or greater than that of MonaLisa Touch laser surgery.
Is it covered by insurance?
MonaLisa Touch is not currently covered by most insurance plans because it is classified as an elective procedure. However, health savings account (HSA) and flexible spending account (FSA) funds may be used to offset the cost. We encourage you to check with your benefits administrator to confirm your eligibility.
You can schedule an appointment with a OB-GYN or urogynecologist to discuss your options and help you think through whether MonaLisa Touch makes sense as an investment in your health.
How we can help
“With more than 1,500 patients treated with a satisfaction rate above 85 percent, we have seen firsthand how meaningful these results can be,” says Dr. Croak, who offers MonaLisa Touch in Toledo.
If you are experiencing symptoms of GSM, lichen sclerosus or related vaginal changes, make an appointment with your OB-GYN or a urogynecologist. They will take a thorough look at your health history, answer your questions and help you determine whether MonaLisa Touch laser surgery is the right next step for you.
Learn about the women’s health services we offer at Mercy Health.
