"Up until the Mona Lisa Touch Laser there has not been a successful nonmedication alternative treatment option for vaginal dryness httpshealth.usnews.comwellnesshealthbuzzarticlesdontputthisinyourvaginadoctorssay also known at vulvovaginal atrophy or VVA. Women in menopause or those who cannot take estrogen including our breast cancer survivors httpshealth.usnews.comwellnessagingwellarticleswhatarethetypesofbreastcancer often suffer in silence when their vagina decides to completely dry up and lose its moist and supple lining causing disruptive symptoms. It can affect your ability to do everyday activities such as exercise and engage in sexual contact and intercourse due to pain and discomfort.  Symptoms of VVA include dryness burning irritation itching urinary incontinence and urinary frequency. These symptoms are mainly caused by a condition called vaginal atrophy which is due to menopause httpshealth.usnews.comhealthnewshealthwellnessslideshowschangeswomengothroughinmenopause or perimenopause or occurs after child birth. See  LittleKnown Things That Happen to Your Body After Giving Birth httpshealth.usnews.comhealthnewshealthwellnessarticleslittleknownthingsthathappentoyourbodyaftergivingbirth. Women with VVA report the following   percent of women report vaginal atrophy negatively impacts their lives.   percent failed to recognize vaginal atrophy as a chronic condition httpshealth.usnews.comhealthnewspatientadvicearticleswhattoknowaboutpelvicorganprolapse.   percent report they did not consult a gynecologist for finding a solution.   percent only recognized the common symptoms of vaginal atrophy. Estrogen is the best treatment option for VVA since it rehydrates the vagina and restores lubrication and pH balance in the vagina. Unfortunately this is not always an appropriate option especially if you have breast cancer or are unable or unwilling to be on estrogen. Other medication options include Osphena vaginal estrogen steroid and testosterone creams and lubrications or moisturizers. See The Fertility Preservation Diet How to Eat If You Want to Get Pregnant httpshealth.usnews.comhealthnewshealthwellnessslideshowsthefertilitypreservationdiethowtoeatifyouwanttogetpregnant. The Mona Lisa Touch Laser Treatment or MLLT is one of the newest kids on the block to combat vaginal atrophy. There are other types of vaginal lasers but they dont have the same track record Food and Drug Administration support and longterm studies as the MLLT. An Italianbuilt laser device the Mona Lisa Touch Laser holds tremendous promise in treating a vagina that has been transformed in menopause httpshealth.usnews.comwellnessslideshowswhattoeatanddrinkduringmenopause or via cancer treatment side effects httpshealth.usnews.comhealthnewspatientadvicearticlesgettingthebetterofchemobrain. Once youve had a pelvic exam to assure youre an appropriate candidate a physician trained in the use of the Mona Lisa  which is actually a small vaginal laser  inserts the device into the vagina during three minute sessions six weeks apart. Many women report positive changes after just the first minute treatment which involves removing the dried skin inside that vagina stimulating collagen and blood flow production and allowing vaginal revival. The end result is a vagina makeover  a new lease on a vagina if you will  with more elasticity and natural lubrication of the tissue inside the vagina. Although it may sound too good to be true the results are proving to be a game changer in the way vagina atrophy is being treated  without hormones  which is a relief to many women and their partners. See  Things No One Tells You About Breastfeeding httpshealth.usnews.comhealthnewshealthwellnessslideshowsthingsnoonetellsyouaboutbreastfeeding. Mona Lisa is ideal for women who cant take estrogen due to a personal or family history of breast cancer httpshealth.usnews.comwellnessagingwellarticleswhatfactorsmayincreasemyriskofbreastcancer or for those who are unhappy with the side effects associated with hormone replacement therapy httpshealth.usnews.comhealthcareforbetterarticlesmenopausalhormonetherapycontroversyoropportunity. Still there is a painful part of the procedure the cost. It runs about  a session and is most likely not covered by insurance."