Radiofrequency and Hybrid Fractional Laser for Vaginal Rejuvenation
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Women's Studies |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Reproductive |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 40 - 65 |
| Updated: | 12/19/2018 |
| Start Date: | June 15, 2018 |
| End Date: | May 30, 2020 |
| Contact: | Jennifer Barillas |
| Email: | jennifer.barillas@utsouthwestern.edu |
| Phone: | 214-645-8907 |
A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial Evaluating Radiofrequency and Hybrid Fractional Laser for Vaginal Rejuvenation
This is a single-center, randomized, prospective study designed to evaluate the efficacy of
radiofrequency and hybrid fractional laser for vaginal rejuvenation. 120 subjects will be
screened with 100 undergoing a three-part treatment of the vulvovaginal area IntraGen RF
unit, IntraGen RF unit placebo, DiVa HFL unit, or DiVa HFL unit placebo. These treatments
will be spaced one month apart and last about 25 minutes each. Each subject will be screened,
undergo testing at baseline, and will be followed conservatively with no further therapy
until they reach 6 months after the initiation of the designated treatment. At that time, all
subjects will undergo subjective and objective testing. Those in the treatment group will be
followed to 9 and 12 months after the initiation of treatment with appropriate analysis.
Those in the placebo group will be provided a three-part treatment of the vulvovaginal area
with the IntraGen RF unit and DiVA HFL unit. These treatments will be spaced one month apart
and last about 25 minutes each. Six months after receiving three treatments of the dual
therapy these patients will undergo subjective and objective testing. The primary outcome
measure is improvement in vulvovaginal symptoms measured by the validated Vulvovaginal
Symptoms Questionnaire. Data obtained from each investigation will be recorded in a
password-protected digital spreadsheet, REDCap database and descriptive statistics will be
obtained.
radiofrequency and hybrid fractional laser for vaginal rejuvenation. 120 subjects will be
screened with 100 undergoing a three-part treatment of the vulvovaginal area IntraGen RF
unit, IntraGen RF unit placebo, DiVa HFL unit, or DiVa HFL unit placebo. These treatments
will be spaced one month apart and last about 25 minutes each. Each subject will be screened,
undergo testing at baseline, and will be followed conservatively with no further therapy
until they reach 6 months after the initiation of the designated treatment. At that time, all
subjects will undergo subjective and objective testing. Those in the treatment group will be
followed to 9 and 12 months after the initiation of treatment with appropriate analysis.
Those in the placebo group will be provided a three-part treatment of the vulvovaginal area
with the IntraGen RF unit and DiVA HFL unit. These treatments will be spaced one month apart
and last about 25 minutes each. Six months after receiving three treatments of the dual
therapy these patients will undergo subjective and objective testing. The primary outcome
measure is improvement in vulvovaginal symptoms measured by the validated Vulvovaginal
Symptoms Questionnaire. Data obtained from each investigation will be recorded in a
password-protected digital spreadsheet, REDCap database and descriptive statistics will be
obtained.
Vaginal rejuvenation is a catch-all term of trendy procedures which claim to provide relief
of many issues affecting women's health, ranging from postmenopausal vulvovaginal symptoms
(i.e. dryness, burning, itching), stress urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction or
discomfort, vaginal laxity, and labial appearance, amongst others2,3. Several companies have
emerged with non-invasive or minimally-invasive technologies to alleviate these conditions
which operate by radiofrequency delivery (IntraGen by Jeisys), Hybrid Fractional Laser (diVa
by Sciton), or fractional CO2 laser (Mona Lisa Touch by Cynosure and Femi Lift by Alma
Laser)4.
All of these technologies work theoretically by remodeling extracellular matrix
configuration. It is of important note that radiofrequency therapies are typically delivered
at 45-55 degrees Celsius in the tissues whereas the laser based products heat up to 60-70
degrees Celsius5. It is believed that "neocollagenesis" may only start if the temperatures
are high enough and that such changes in the collagen matrix of the vagina could lead to
durable vaginal wall changes. Sciton's diVa is hybrid fractional laser with wavelengths of
2940 nm and 1470 nm for ablation and coagulation, respectively, to treat vaginal tissue6. It
is not known whether the changes experienced by patients are due to the reconfiguration of
the extracellular matrix (ECM) deep in the vaginal wall or related to the acute swelling and
inflammatory processes that occur at the surface of the vagina after these rejuvenation
procedures.
The early anecdotal success reported on some user websites might be attributable to surface
changes that may not be lasting or to possibly more lasting deeper muscular vaginal wall
changes, which may or may not be beneficial. Based on the answer to this first set of
questions, we might possibly surmise how such changes will ultimately improve vaginal dryness
and/or stress urinary incontinence complaints.
An overriding question and concern is: Assuming these treatments induce collagen changes in
the vagina, is it safe to induce such changes? If changes occur, are they long lasting? Can
it age the vagina instead of making it "younger"? What are the long-term effects of doing so?
Is tissue tightening really scar formation that may be deleterious in the future? The
histological, genetic and dynamic changes following vaginal rejuvenation have never been
studied.
of many issues affecting women's health, ranging from postmenopausal vulvovaginal symptoms
(i.e. dryness, burning, itching), stress urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction or
discomfort, vaginal laxity, and labial appearance, amongst others2,3. Several companies have
emerged with non-invasive or minimally-invasive technologies to alleviate these conditions
which operate by radiofrequency delivery (IntraGen by Jeisys), Hybrid Fractional Laser (diVa
by Sciton), or fractional CO2 laser (Mona Lisa Touch by Cynosure and Femi Lift by Alma
Laser)4.
All of these technologies work theoretically by remodeling extracellular matrix
configuration. It is of important note that radiofrequency therapies are typically delivered
at 45-55 degrees Celsius in the tissues whereas the laser based products heat up to 60-70
degrees Celsius5. It is believed that "neocollagenesis" may only start if the temperatures
are high enough and that such changes in the collagen matrix of the vagina could lead to
durable vaginal wall changes. Sciton's diVa is hybrid fractional laser with wavelengths of
2940 nm and 1470 nm for ablation and coagulation, respectively, to treat vaginal tissue6. It
is not known whether the changes experienced by patients are due to the reconfiguration of
the extracellular matrix (ECM) deep in the vaginal wall or related to the acute swelling and
inflammatory processes that occur at the surface of the vagina after these rejuvenation
procedures.
The early anecdotal success reported on some user websites might be attributable to surface
changes that may not be lasting or to possibly more lasting deeper muscular vaginal wall
changes, which may or may not be beneficial. Based on the answer to this first set of
questions, we might possibly surmise how such changes will ultimately improve vaginal dryness
and/or stress urinary incontinence complaints.
An overriding question and concern is: Assuming these treatments induce collagen changes in
the vagina, is it safe to induce such changes? If changes occur, are they long lasting? Can
it age the vagina instead of making it "younger"? What are the long-term effects of doing so?
Is tissue tightening really scar formation that may be deleterious in the future? The
histological, genetic and dynamic changes following vaginal rejuvenation have never been
studied.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Women should be between 40 and 65 years of age
- Women should be post-menopausal
- Women should be amenorrheic for at least 12 months
- Postmenopausal women presenting with one or more of the following:
- Vulvar itching
- Vulvar burning or stinging
- Vulvar pain
- Vulvar irritation
- Vulvar dryness
- Discharge from subject's vulva or vagina
- Odor from subject's vulva or vagina
Exclusion Criteria:
- Unable to commit to future appointments within one year
- Planning on moving away from Dallas within one year
- History of other energy-based vaginal therapy within one year
- Vaginal hormone replacement therapy must have a one month washout period prior to
treatment and discontinued use for duration of study, systemic replacement is not
excluded
- Prior labiaplasty, or vaginal injections of fat or fillers within 6 months
- Prior anti-incontinence surgery in the last 12 months
- Urinary incontinence requiring more than 2 pads/day
- Clinically significant pelvic organ prolapse (POP)
- Urinary tract infection in the past 3 months
- Unstable diabetes
- Ongoing chemotherapy
- Immunodeficiency status (steroid intake, ongoing chemotherapy)
- Diffuse pain syndrome or chronic pain requiring daily narcotics
- Chronic vaginitis including bacterial vaginosis, HPV, herpes, or other active STI
- Recent abnormal Papanicolaou test result
- Recent abnormal pelvic exam (i.e. concerning lesions)
- Vulvar dermatologic pathology requiring local steroid use
- Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding
- If less than two years postmenopausal, not using a medically approved method of
contraception (i.e. oral, transdermal, implanted contraceptives, intrauterine device,
diaphragm, condom, etc.)
- Pregnancy
- History of genital fistula or a thin rectovaginal septum
- Uncontrolled psychiatric conditions (well-controlled depression/anxiety is not
excluded)
- Body Mass Index > 35
- Actively participating in or planning on participating in pelvic floor muscle
strengthening exercise
- Presence of pacemaker, AICD, or other electrical health maintenance device
We found this trial at
1
site
1801 Inwood Rd
Dallas, Texas 75390
Dallas, Texas 75390
(214) 645-3300
Principal Investigator: Jeffrey Kenkel, MD
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center UT Southwestern is an academic medical center, world-renowned for...
Click here to add this to my saved trials
