3 Evidence Checks Before Vaginal Laser Treatment for Menopause Symptoms

If dryness or pain has made intimacy difficult, a clinic’s offer of laser treatment may sound appealing. Before paying for a course, ask for evidence tied to the symptom you want treated. Keep the promised result, supporting study and full cost together.

Three evidence checks

1. What was the comparison? Ask about sham-controlled trials, not only improvements after treatment. The review found little or no difference versus sham for pain with sex, painful urination and quality of life, with low-certainty evidence.¹

2. Does a similar result prove equivalence? The authors cautioned that small comparisons with vaginal estrogen cream did not establish the treatments as equivalent. Ask whether the claim concerns the same device, symptom and treatment schedule being offered to you.¹

3. What is known about harms? Adverse-event reporting was limited, and studies could not adequately assess uncommon serious harms. Few reported events should not be presented as proof of long-term safety.¹

Give the consultation a specific task

The review describes small studies, short follow-up and varied protocols. Ask how those limitations affect the recommendation for your circumstances and which other options should be discussed.¹

Take a copy of the offer to your own clinician. Write down the symptom that matters most, what you have tried and any reason a treatment was unsuitable. Ask what assessment is needed before making a purchase decision.

My Body Changed. Now What? includes a Visit Brief. Use it to organize the questions and treatment history you want to bring. See the book.