Menopause is a normal part of life and affects each woman in a unique way and at varying ages. Many women will notice hot flashes and hormonal changes as their menstrual patterns change. Some don’t experience dramatic symptoms but have problematic changes in the time approaching the end of their reproductive years, known as perimenopause, and beyond. Some women experience changes in bladder function, dryness, discomfort, and frequent infections with changes after childbirth with normal aging and hormonal changes related to menopause. Most women will live decades after the menopause transition and want to optimize their quality of life during those years.
ThermiVa is a tool to help those with frustrating changes in the vaginal tissues. It uses controlled radiofrequency energy to gently heat tissue to improve the health of a woman’s urogenital tissues. The urogenital and vaginal tissues weaken with normal changes over time and with the hormonal changes in perimenopause and menopause. ThermiVa can strengthen these tissues by stimulating collagen production, improving the elasticity of the tissues and increasing blood flow to the genital area. Laxity and sensation are improved as well as many symptoms such as bladder control, support of the genital tissues, and more comfortable intercourse. This technology was initially approved for dermatological and some surgical procedures, but has been used since 2015 to treat some of the common problems of normal aging in women.
ThermiVa treatments do not involve lasers and are non-ablative, meaning they heat but do not damage the tissue in order to strengthen it. The treatments are slower and more gentle than some other treatments, allowing patients to give constant feedback about the level of heat tolerated. Internal and external tissues are treated in each of the three ThermiVa sessions, scheduled 4-5 weeks apart, as they build on each other. Optimal results occur after the third treatment for most. Results vary somewhat but typically last one year. One maintenance treatment is encouraged as a patient notices her problematic symptoms return, usually about every 12 months. ThermiVa is a comfortable treatment option performed in the office and does not require any downtime, surgery, or prescription.
Some women may be interested in ThermiVa for cosmetic reasons, but most use it to help with minimizing the atrophic changes that are common around menopause such as painful intercourse due to vaginal dryness, mild urinary changes such as leaking with exercise, as well as more frequent infections. ThermiVa is an ideal option for women who want to maintain an active lifestyle without using hormone replacement therapy or prescription medications. However, some women use ThermiVa and some hormones too.
If interested in learning more, call 901.624.4444 or visit Mestemd.com for a consultation to see if you’re a good candidate for ThermiVa.
Leslie Norman, WHNP, has over 15 years experience in gynecology and is a Certified Menopause Practitioner through the North American Menopause Society, as is Dr. Christine Mestemacher. Dr. Yvonne Moore has also been trained to use this technology and is qualified to perform treatments.
