The Mona Lisa Touch is not covered by health insurance, but you may be able to cover the charges with funds from a flexible spending account (FSA) or a health savings account (HSA).
The initial round of vaginal dryness treatment sessions costs $1,800 in total. Women are advised to return for more treatments every 12 to 18 months at a cost of $500 each.
Why is Mona Lisa not covered by insurance?
In last month’s Menopause Matters column, I made a mistake and wrote that 30 thousand (not million) women around the world had had MonaLisa Touch.
MonaLisa Touch was the first FDA-authorized CO2 laser for vaginal usage, which was approved in 2015. The laser energy encourages the regeneration and restoration of genitourinary tissues to their premenopausal state in a non-painful manner. The operation takes 2-3 minutes and is repeated three times, six weeks apart, and once a year “Touch-up” procedure.
More over half of postmenopausal women suffer from vulvovaginal dryness, painful intimacy, and UTI-like symptoms “In the “Menopause Genitourinary Syndrome” (GSM). These symptoms are long-term and progressive, and they do not improve with time. In a national poll of 2000 menopausal women (The EMPOWER Survey), 90 percent felt painful intimacy, 70 percent reported unpleasant dryness, and 50 percent said they had never tried anything to improve their symptoms. MonaLisa Touch is a candidate for every untreated symptomatic woman because around 7% of symptomatic women actively take hormones for GSM.
MonaLisa Touch can reduce the number of times a woman has to wake up in the middle of the night to urinate (nocturia) as well as the sudden urge to urinate (overactive bladder).
Standard estrogen therapy does not always work for everyone. Long-term use was found to be 17 percent in research articles looking at patient compliance with estrogen prescriptions. Around 20% of patients on systemic estrogen replacement medication will still experience uncomfortable symptoms.
While the MonaLisa Touch fractional CO2 laser is FDA-approved, it is not recommended as a first-line treatment. Estrogen has been approved for use for more than 40 years and is regarded the gold standard. MonaLisa Touch has no procedure codes, so it cannot be billed to insurance. MonaLisa Touch is currently being studied in comparison to estrogen, which could aid with insurance coverage.
Why should I have MonaLisa Touch done by Dr. Leach when there are other doctors that offer it?
Is Mona Lisa touch procedure covered by insurance?
- Health insurance does not cover MonaLisa Touch. Although the MonaLisa Touch therapy has an out-of-pocket expense, the advantages are significant, and some patients have described it as “life changing.”
- Dr. Lauren Wood Thum advises patients to cut their pubic hair before the treatment.
How much does Mona Lisa cost to touch?
Vaginal dryness can cause extreme pain (Dyspareunia) during intercourse and finally prevent women from having sex. As women get older and enter menopause, they may experience this symptom, which can have an impact on their relationships and quality of life.
MonaLisa Touch is a treatment offered by Women’s Wellness Institute of Dallas to help individuals with their ailments. An advanced fractional CO2 laser is used to treat vaginal dryness and atrophy, as well as rejuvenate the vaginal tissue.
The MonaLisa Touch procedure can cost anywhere from $800 to $4500, depending on your visit with Dr. Brady and our experienced team, as well as the results of your physical examination.
How much does the Mona Lisa laser treatment cost?
You’re not alone if you’re experiencing vaginal dryness. Dr. Angel Marie Johnson, director of our Dedham Women’s Health Center, talks about one possible treatment today: Mona Lisa Touch.
The following information, like all of the content on Greater Boston Urology’s blog, is intended to be informative rather than medical advice. Always consult your doctor about your individual health-related concerns and circumstances.
What is Mona Lisa Touch?
JOHNSON, DR.: Mona Lisa Touch is an FDA-approved laser device for treating skin disorders. It’s been used off-label to treat vaginal issues like dryness, urine incontinence, and painful intercourse in recent years.
How does Mona Lisa Touch work?
JOHNSON, DR.: Your doctor will use a small probe with a carbon dioxide laser to provide treatment to the vaginal area softly. The laser increases collagen formation, which results in healthier tissue. To produce more moisture, the vaginal cells thicken and plump up. This can lead to less pain and discomfort, especially during intercourse.
How long does the Mona Lisa Touch procedure take?
DR. JOHNSON: During an office visit, the operation usually takes approximately five to ten minutes. After the operation, patients can normally resume their normal daily activities, though we suggest that they refrain from having intercourse for 2-3 days.
How much does Mona Lisa Touch cost?
DR. JOHNSON: Each treatment costs $950, for a total of $2850 for three treatments. Long-term management usually involves one treatment each year after the initial three treatments.
I’m interested in Mona Lisa Touch. What should I do next?
JOHNSON, DR.: Make an appointment with Dr. Angel Marie Johnson to talk about your problems and see if Mona Lisa Touch is the best treatment for you.
Is the Mona Lisa treatment covered by Medicare?
The MonaLisa Touch is a fractional CO2 laser that provides patients with a non-hormonal treatment for menopausal symptoms such as feminine dryness and intimate pain. When considering the MonaLisa Touch, patients typically ask these questions.
Do I need to be up-to-date on my pap smear before my treatment with the MonaLisa Touch?
Although a PAP smear is not required prior to treatment, it is recommended that you continue to maintain your preventive health with your primary care physician or OB/Gyn.
Is the MonaLisa Touch laser treatment painful?
Menopause symptoms such as painful intercourse, feminine dryness, stinging and burning, and painful urine can all be relieved with the MonaLisa Touch laser treatment. Although some patients complained of pain, most said it was attributable to their symptoms rather than the treatment. The experience is remarkably comparable to the painful intercourse that brought them to see Dr. Karny Jacoby in the first place.
Why do I need an annual MonaLisa Touch treatment?
The ideal response is “Defend your investment.” Despite the fact that you were back to normal health after three treatments, problems will reappear over time due to aging or other factors. According to research, the best time to eat is between the hours of 10 a.m “The duration of “maintenance” therapies is 12 months.
How does the MonaLisa Touch feel during the treatment?
Every patient’s experience is different. It’s said to be comparable to the sensation of jets in a hot tub. Others have described it as a pinching sensation, a cracking sensation, or heated pulses. The most common complaint has been pain from inserting the probe, which is similar to the agony they’ve been experiencing during intercourse. Because of the additional nerves, the inner labia are more sensitive than the vaginal canal. Patients who have had this tissue treated have reported increased discomfort and a cracking sensation.
What does it feel like after the treatment with the MonaLisa Touch?
Patients have said that it feels the same after therapy as it does after having intercourse. It’s the same sense I’ve had with recent closeness.
When can I expect results?
Some patients stated they saw effects right away, while others said it wasn’t until the second session that they saw considerable improvement. Patients regained to normal feminine health after the third therapy.
What is Dr. Karny Jacoby’s specialty?
Dr. Karny Jacoby MD, FPMRS, CPI is a Board Certified Urologist who specializes in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. She specializes in incontinence, pelvic prolapse, overactive bladder syndrome, laparoscopic treatments (nephrectomy, pyeloplasty, pelvic reconstruction), da Vinci robotic surgery, pelvic reconstructive surgery, stones, and urological research. Painful intercourse, feminine dryness, itching, and burning affect a substantial majority of her female patients. With the new MonaLisa Touch laser, she is in the best possible position to treat women who suffer from these symptoms. Her attention to detail and precision as a surgeon make her an excellent physician for aesthetic procedures.
Does the MonaLisa Touch have any negative side effects?
The treatment is usually tolerated without protest by women. Some people suffer slight discomfort during treatment and may have temporary discomfort thereafter. Some people describe little bleeding or discharge that goes away shortly.
Is the Mona Lisa procedure FDA approved?
Inmode, Sciton, Alma Lasers, Thermigen, BTL Aesthetics, BTL Industries, Venus Concept, and Cynosure were among the companies targeted by the FDA. Some companies did not respond to calls for comment right away.
Hologic, Inc., whose subsidiary sells the MonaLisa Touch, spokesperson Jane G. Mazur said the FDA warning was being reviewed.
Ms. Mazur stated, “We are examining the letter in its entirety and will engage with the agency to ensure that all product communications comply with regulatory obligations.”
Venus Concept’s general counsel, Domenic DiSisto, stated that the Venus Fiore device is not now promoted or sold in the United States, and that the company’s website has been updated.
The letters from the Food and Drug Administration are regarded a step short of a formal warning. The makers are required to disclose information about the product and the reason for their assumption of approval.
The FDA has been under pressure to approve medical gadgets more quickly. According to critics, FDA device approvals are already moving too quickly and with insufficient oversight. Dr. Gottlieb stated in his announcement on Monday that the FDA will improve its device studies after they were cleared for sale.
Despite objections from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, no federal agency or medical association has numbers for the number of these procedures performed each year. The medical society has released several statements stating that the devices, including the MonaLisa Touch, do not have FDA clearance or approval for the treatment of menopausal symptoms as claimed.
What is the difference between ThermiVa and Mona Lisa touch?
- MonaLisa Touch’s laser is one inch in diameter, while ThermiVa’s wand is less than a finger.
- Patients who have received ThermiVa have reported no negative effects; however, MonaLisa Touch users have reported transitory redness, swelling, and discomfort.
- MonaLisa Touch suggests 3-4 days of downtime and light physical limits, whereas ThermiVa does not require any downtime or physical restrictions.
- After all treatments, ThermiVa benefits can last up to a year or more. Treatments with MonaLisa Touch can last up to a year.
- MonaLisa Touch only affects the interior tissue of the vagina; ThermiVa can be used on the labia and clitoral area. ThermiVa can help you get rid of that “camel-toe” look.
Is MonaLisa Touch FDA approved?
The Mona Lisa Laser is only used at Virginia Women’s Health Associates for the FDA-approved conditions of genitourinary symptoms of menopause (GSM), such as vulvovaginal atrophy and painful intercourse. There are a variety of prescription therapies for this illness, but the majority of them include hormone medication. Many women choose non-hormonal therapy, yet many have discovered that these treatments are ineffective.
Does a urologist treat vaginal atrophy?
Dryness/Vaginal Atrophy Discomfort, pain (including painful intercourse), and other urinary symptoms may result. Our urologists may prescribe oral or topical drugs, as well as vaginal rejuvenation procedures in specific cases.