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I am 45 (as of the date of this review Jan 2018). ...
I had 3 internal and 5 external treatments from around Nov 2016 to March/April 2017. My doc was more expensive but included 2 extra external treatments, if needed (they were). I don't remember how much I paid since it was over a year ago. It was around $2500-2700. I live in Silicon Valley and everything is expensive here.
My issues: excessive dryness, skin sloughing, constant feeling like yeast infection (and often getting yeast infections), difficulty having sex - skin tearing/fissures externally around vaginal opening and lacerations internally in the vagina. Skin splitting/tearing in area where they stitch you for an episiotomy. I have issues even with lots of lube. Tried all kinds of lubes. Urinary burning and feeling of severe urgency - on regular basis but horrible after sex (feels like UTI but isn't one).
Pros:
Urinary burning has improved. I do not feel like I have a major UTI every time I have sex. I still have urgency and some pain but it is manageable compared to how it was before the treatment
Vaginal - After the 1st treatment I did notice I was more moist/wet. Unfortunately, this didn't stick around for the long term, not even while doing the 2nd or 3rd treatment.
Cons:
-The price.
-External vaginal fissures around the vaginal opening are still occurring and I haven't had any time during or post treatments where this hasn't been an issue. The Monalisa simply did not work at all for my tearing/fissures around the vaginal opening.
-I am still on vaginal estrodial suppositories or cream for the internal dryness problems - so no real long-term relief there either.
-I am back to using vaginal dilators hoping that will help with the skin.
The Procedure:
No bleeding or major discomfort after the first or 2nd treatment. 3rd, 4th and 5th did cause some bloodiness on the external tissues and soreness. Every time I would itch after for a few days as I healed and it took about 7 days to heal. No pain during as the doc uses numbing ointment.
Overall Verdict:
Was it worth the cost? Probably not overall. I am not sure if I will do the annual touch up treatment at $700 (quoted at time of original procedure, don't know the price now). I suppose it depends on if my urinary burning issues start to come back/get worse. The price is very high for the little improvement that I received. I took that chance going in knowing that it may not work. I hope something else comes out that is more proven to fix my issues.
Provider Review
Dr. Levine is hilarious. She's right up there in your hooha chit chatting with you, etc. She did tell me that it may not work for all of my issues but was pretty adamant that she thought it would help. I think the procedure was definitely pushed on me for "the sale" (the laser is expensive) but she never promised a miracle either. I really like her as a doc and will continue to see if for UTIs or other urology needs (or if I do go back for a MonaLisa touch up). She's very responsive. The couple times I called because of bleeding post laser she got back to me, even when she had a death in the family (she called at 9 PM on a Friday) Her assistant Christina is also super nice and accessible.