- 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.
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?
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 sophisticated fractional CO2 laser is used to cure vaginal dryness and atrophy, as well as renew 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.
Is Mona Lisa 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 commitment to detail and precision as a surgeon make her a great 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.
What is the Mona Lisa surgical procedure?
MonaLisa Touch is a method of vaginal rejuvenation that employs a mild laser to encourage collagen creation in the vaginal wall’s tissues. MonaLisa treatments typically last 18 weeks and consist of three operations in total. All of these procedures are completed in the doctor’s office in 5-10 minutes and do not require anaesthesia because they are nearly painless.
Call our San Francisco, CA office at (415) 426-7859 to learn more about MonaLisa Touch or to arrange your own vaginal rejuvenation treatments with Dr. Leslie Kardos.
Is Mona Lisa touch 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 organization has released multiple comments stating that the gadgets, including the MonaLisa Touch, do not have FDA authorization or approval for the treatment of menopausal symptoms as claimed.
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.
Can laser treatment help vaginal atrophy?
Researchers wanted to see how well the two medications worked for a variety of symptoms related to the vaginal and vulva following menopause. They studied 25 postmenopausal women between the ages of 50 and 61. A total of two groups of ladies were formed. The first group received topical estrogen therapy, whereas the second received laser therapy. To stimulate the formation of new collagen, the laser is used to produce microscopic lesions in the tissue.
The researchers subsequently examined improvements in tissue atrophy and sexual function in each group, finding that both groups had significant increases in both categories. They came to the conclusion that, while vaginal estrogen performed better on some tests, laser therapy is also an effective treatment for vaginal atrophy.
How do I prepare for the Mona Lisa touch?
- The morning of treatment, shower or bathe to ensure that the area to be treated is clean.
- The area must be clean and dry, free of any creams, lotions, or other chemicals that could interfere with the laser.
- After the operation, most patients resume regular activity as tolerated.
**Vaginal spotting, light vaginal bleeding, pink or brown vaginal discharge, watery vaginal discharge, itching, burning during urination, and discomfort are all possible side effects after this operation. These may go out as the area heals.
Before and after treatment, it’s critical to follow your medical provider’s directions.