The midlife transition can cause more than just crow’s feet or laugh lines. Aging happens to all of us, and for millions of women, growing older can also affect their pelvic and sexual health.
Fortunately, women have access to the area’s leading women’s health expert and the newest vaginal treatment technology––right here, close to home.
“Menopause is accompanied with a variety of changes for most women—changes that may impact brain function in addition to many possible physical changes. These changes can also significantly affect sexual health and overall quality of life,” said Barb DePree, MD, Holland Hospital Women’s Specialty Care. “First and foremost, it’s important to try to be honest and open with your partner about any sexual discomfort or concerns you may be experiencing.”
“As specialists in menopause care, as well as gynecological and sexual health, we can help women better understand these concerns and offer them access to a variety of effective treatment approaches,” she added.
New Vaginal Treatment Technology Options, Close to Home
Talking to your health care provider about sensitive gynecological and pelvic health issues isn’t easy, but it is important. Not only are these issues common, they’re also treatable—and new treatment options are available at Women’s Specialty Care, specifically:
MonaLisa Touch®: If you’re experiencing vaginal dryness or pain, bladder leakage or other pelvic floor issues, MonaLisa Touch could make a life-changing difference for you. The procedure helps address these concerns with carefully controlled laser pulses that gently deliver energy to tissue and stimulate your body’s own natural healing response.
TempSure Vitalia™: TempSure Vitalia helps address sensitive gynecologic and women’s health concerns. This radio frequency device delivers precise heating for smaller, hard-to-reach areas to temporarily increase local blood circulation and decrease pain and muscle spasms.
MonaLisa Touch and TempSure Vitalia treatments are nonsurgical, non-hormonal and chemical-free. Each procedure typically takes minutes and no interruption to daily activities is needed.
Answers to FAQs
MonaLisa Touch and TempSure Vitalia are used to treat many of the same gynecologic conditions, but they do have some differences. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
What concerns do these treatments address?
These procedures are designed to treat vaginal atrophy, (thinning, drying and inflammation of the vaginal walls that may occur when the body produces less estrogen), vaginal dryness, pain during sex and urinary incontinence.
How do they work?
MonaLisa Touch and TempSure Vitalia are both used to increase blood flow, as well as boost collagen and elastin growth. MonaLisa Touch uses laser energy to administer heat and fractional ablation to penetrate the specified tissue. TempSure Vitalia is a radio frequency device that employs heat to achieve desired outcomes.
Are treatments painful?
While treatments may cause a warming sensation, they aren’t painful. As an added comfort measure, a topical anesthetic will be applied for MonaLisa Touch. No downtime is needed for either procedure. However, doctors may recommend refraining from sexual intercourse for two to three days following treatment with MonaLisa Touch.
How many treatments are needed?
Individual treatments require only minutes. Generally, patients should expect three treatment sessions for MonaLisa Touch or TempSure Vitalia.
Are there any side effects?
Both procedures are generally well-tolerated with minimal or no side effects.
How long do results last?
Individual results and length of results vary for both procedures. Our experts will help assess your needs and ideal treatment method to achieve your specific goals.
Are these procedures covered by insurance?
MonaLisa Touch and TempSure Vitalia procedures are self-pay and currently not covered by insurance. Procedures are performed in Women’s Specialty Care’s newly renovated office space by a women’s health specialist.
Barb DePree, MD, has served women as a board certified gynecologist and women’s health provider for more than 30 years. Also a certified menopause practitioner and clinical cancer genetics practitioner, Dr. DePree leads Holland Hospital Women’s Specialty Care in Holland, MI, a specialty service that provides personalized, comprehensive care to women at every age and stage of life. For an appointment, call (616) 748-5785.
Barb DePree, MD
Recipient of North American Menopause Society’s 2013 Certified Menopause Practitioner of the Year for her exceptional contributions to menopause care, Barb DePree, MD, specializes in menopausal medicine, hormone replacement therapy and sexual health. With nearly 25 years in women’s health, Dr. Barb has comfortably answered all the uncomfortable questions of sexual health and the changes that occur as we age.
After completing her Master's in Medical Management, Dr. Barb launched her own website, MiddlesexMD.com, that connects with people across the country and provides additional advice and products for patients. Dr. DePree obtained her Clinical Cancer Genomics Community of Practice Certification through the City of Hope. In addition to being a provider at Holland Hospital Women's Specialty Care, Dr. DePree is also part of the Holland Hospital Breast Care team, seeing patients at Holland Hospital's High Risk Breast Clinic.