This pilot study aimed to assess the efficacy and feasibility of fractional CO2 laser in the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) in postmenopausal women. VVA symptoms were assessed before and after three applications of laser over 12 weeks in 50 women (age 59.6 ± 5.8 years) dissatisfied with previous local estrogen therapies. Subjective (visual analog scale) and objective (Vaginal Health Index Score, VHIS) measures were used during the study period to assess VVA. Quality of life was measured by using the SF-12. A subjective scale to evaluate the degree of pain related to the laser application and the degree of difficulty to perform the laser procedure was used. Fractional CO2 laser treatment was effective to improve VVA symptoms (vaginal dryness, vaginal burning, vaginal itching, dyspareunia, dysuria; p < 0.001) at 12-week follow-up, as well as the VHIS (13.1 ± 2.5 at baseline vs. 23.1 ± 1.9; p < 0.001). Both physical and mental scores of quality of life were significantly improved in comparison with baseline (p < 0.001). Satisfaction with the laser procedure was reported by 42 women (84%) and a minimal discomfort was experienced at the first laser application, mainly because of the insertion and the movements of the probe. Finally, the technique was very easy to perform in all women starting from the second application at week 4 and no adverse events were recorded during the study period. A 12-week treatment with the fractional CO2 laser was feasible and induced a significant improvement of VVA symptoms by ameliorating vaginal health in postmenopausal women. Further controlled studies should be performed to confirm the present data and to assess the long-term effects of the laser procedure on vaginal tissues.

Objective Microablative fractional CO₂ laser has been proven to determine tissue remodeling with neoformation of collagen and elastic fibers on atrophic skin. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effects of microablative fractional CO₂ laser on postmenopausal women with vulvovaginal atrophy using an ex vivo model. Methods This is a prospective ex vivo cohort trial. Consecutive postmenopausal women with vulvovaginal atrophy managed with pelvic organ prolapse surgical operation were enrolled. After fascial plication, the redundant vaginal edge on one side was treated with CO₂ laser (SmartXide2; DEKA Laser, Florence, Italy). Five different CO₂ laser setup protocols were tested. The contralateral part of the vaginal wall was always used as control. Excessive vagina was trimmed and sent for histological evaluation to compare treated and nontreated tissues. Microscopic and ultrastructural aspects of the collagenic and elastic components of the matrix were studied, and a specific image analysis with computerized morphometry was performed. We also considered the fine cytological aspects of connective tissue proper cells, particularly fibroblasts. Results During the study period, five women were enrolled, and 10 vaginal specimens were finally retrieved. Four different settings of CO₂ laser were compared. Protocols were tested twice each to confirm histological findings. Treatment protocols were compared according to histological findings, particularly in maximal depth and connective changes achieved. All procedures were uneventful for participants. Conclusions This study shows that microablative fractional CO₂ laser can produce a remodeling of vaginal connective tissue without causing damage to surrounding tissue.

Objective To investigate the effects of fractional microablative CO₂ laser on sexual function and overall satisfaction with sexual life in postmenopausal women with vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA). Method This prospective study included 77 postmenopausal women (mean age 60.6 ± 6.2 years) treated for VVA symptoms with the fractional microablative CO₂ laser system (SmartXide² V²LR, Monalisa Touch, DEKA, Florence, Italy). Sexual function and quality of life were evaluated with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Short Form 12 (SF-12), respectively, both at baseline and at 12-week follow-up. A 10-mm visual analog scale was used to measure the overall satisfaction with sexual life and the intensity of VVA symptoms (vaginal burning, vaginal itching, vaginal dryness, dyspareunia and dysuria) before and after the study period. Results We observed a significant improvement in the total score and the scores in each specific domain of the FSFI at 12-week follow-up compared to baseline (p < 0.001). After concluding the laser treatment, the overall satisfaction with sexual life significantly improved (p < 0.001). Seventeen (85%) out of 20 (26%) women, not sexually active because of VVA severity at baseline, regained a normal sexual life at the 12-week follow-up. Finally, we also found a significant improvement in each VVA symptom (p < 0.001) and in quality-of-life evaluation, both for the scores in the physical (p = 0.013) and mental (p = 0.002) domains. Conclusions Fractional microablative CO₂ laser treatment is associated with a significant improvement of sexual function and satisfaction with sexual life in postmenopausal women with VVA symptoms.

To determine the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infections and related cervical le