Archna Saraswat, MBBS

I am 58 and have been in a Menopausal state since I was 49. I went onto bioidentical HRT to alleviate the worst of the symptoms of Hot Flushes and Joint Pain...and a dry and tender vagina. After nearly 10 years on HRT I had to come off them for the health of my liver. So having no hormonal support, the menopausal symptoms have come crashing back. I cope with the hot flushes and joint pain and sleeplessness with herbal remedies, and have been treating my vaginal dryness with Aci Jel on and off (I can't even tolerate Vagifem) and lube for sex. However, I am prone to Bacterial Vaginosis and hate having to wear panty liners to absorb the Aci Jel and just over thinking about the weird dry sensations that constantly remind me in my day to day life that my vagina is changing. I have done a lot of research and it seemed Monalisa Touch might be a solution. At $600 per treatment and you need 3 in a period of 12-15 weeks, money was a problem. I accessed some funds from my super, as I want to enjoy my vagina (recently married my honey) and not be having negative thoughts like prospective pain or lack of lubrication when intimate with my partner. Yesterday was my first treatment. I was so excited. The staff at this clinic have always maintained a warm and inclusive attitude. The Doctor seemed "all business" on my prior consultation, but yesterday for my first treatment she was amazing. She informed me step by step what was happening and what I might feel. It was reassuring and very easy.
I arrived half hour prior to treatment to have a little numbing cream applied to my external genitals so the treatment (which is painless inside) could be extended to my opening where I do experience pain day to day and during intimacy. The Dr ascertained I have a small urine urgency and it has me in and out of bed and makes me bolt for a bathroom, so I was told she would apply a different sequence of treatment to that area.
I waited in the waiting room until the numbing cream worked (half an hour). The Dr called for me and off I went with her to the treatment room.
Again, she explained to me what to do and how she wanted me ( I have been to Drs and they just point to the curtained area and tell you to undress). Dr Saraswat was clear and concise.
Every time she went to do anything she advised me so there were no surprises. The least pleasant part of the procedure was when she used big cotton buds to absorb my internal moisture so the laser could work more efficiently. "What?.... more dry than it already is?" Hahaha. So whilst slightly uncomfortable, certainly not enough to leap off the bed.
She explained everything and the probe felt vibration deep inside and Dr checked that I was comfortable for her to proceed. It felt like when you drive ove "Audible Lines) on the road...just pulsing vibration. It was over in minutes including to outer genitals Which felt nothing thanks to the numbing.
I went to work afterwards and felt "normal". I wore a panty liner and only after about 7 hours did I see a little bit of discoloured loss. Not actually bloody, but coloured. My vagina looked red like sunburn. But felt okay, considering I have been experiencing discomfort due to dryness, I guess I was used to feeling "something" there.
Looking forwards to the next treatment.

Updated on 3 Nov 2018:
Day 2 I woke to feel pleased that there was nothing uncomfortable on the treated area. The advice is to avoid strenuous activity for first few days and sexual intercourse. We went for a walk over breakfast. Only a couple of easy kilometres and I felt quite uncomfortable afterwards. Like my vagina wanted to drop out. Even on the drive home I didn't feel good sitting. I spent a couple of hours lying on the couch and it settled.
Still no discharge. And no unpleasant odour. I have noticed a change in odour with menopause. I would be thrilled if Monalisa touch was to reaolve that as well.
I am feeling positive and hopeful.

Updated on 21 Nov 2018:
Wow... 3 1/2 weeks post my first MLT I am feeling encouraged. My bladder urge incontinancy has settled where I am sleeping through the night instead of waking to pee through the night. My vulva feels less irritated and dry day to day. Where I used Aci Joel internally for comfort, I have been a la naturelle for past 3 weeks and no irritation. I am keen for my second and third treatments. Next one scheduled December 7th. First one November 2nd. What this might save me in Lube and Vaginal moisturiser and Panty Liners will make the $600/treatment well worth it.

Updated on 18 Jan 2019:
I had my third and final (in this instalment) of MLT. Again, the treatment itself was no trouble, no pain and over with quickly and I was off to work immediately after.
We did give sex a try after treatment 2 and I had a lovely time of it. No added lube was required. No soreness afterwards. I am still slow to arrive at orgasm, but I think that is my brain waiting for pain and my lack of hormones.
My urgency to get to the bathroom has reduced. I still need to go to the bathroom if I wake at night, but it may be my sleeplessness due to hot flushes that rouses me. Not my bladder.
I am not experiencing tingly dryness in my day to day life...which was disconcerting. These were not pleasant honeymoon tingles, they were I could feel my vagina was uncomfortable. I don't even want to think about having a vagina until it comes time to use it.
Over all...so far. So good.
I have had a fabulous experience and look forward to the next 12 weeks which Doctor advised me, I should see a real improvement from my existing improvements.