Non-surgical vaginal rejuvenation: what are your options?

Thankfully, there have been major advances in vaginal rejuvenation, including non-invasive treatments such as Mona Lisa Touch laser therapy and Radiofrequency. These state-of-the-art technologies aim to improve tissue health, stimulate collagen production and reduce vaginal symptoms, often with little or no downtime.

We explore the main non-surgical options available – including laser and radiofrequency therapies – looking at what they involve, the symptoms they may help with, and how to decide which treatment may be right for you.

Why might you be seeking help for vaginal symptoms?

Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can cause women to experience dryness, itching, soreness, recurrent infections, and pain during sex. Dr Tania Adib, a senior Consultant Gynaecologist and menopause specialist, explains why: 

“The drop in oestrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause can cause the tissues in our vaginal walls and the surrounding areas to become thinner, dryer and less elastic. It becomes less plump, there is less lubrication, and the normal, protective microbiome can become disrupted, leading to infections and UTIs.” She adds that our bladders are next to our vaginas and are also affected by the drop in oestrogen levels – causing women to experience both urge and stress incontinence.

Pregnancy and childbirth can also place significant pressure on the vaginal walls and pelvic floor, weakening and stretching the tissues. This can lead to vaginal laxity – a feeling of looseness or reduced muscle tone – as well as symptoms such as urinary incontinence, reduced sensation during sex and pelvic prolapse. Non-surgical vaginal rejuvenation treatments can help improve tissue strength, hydration and elasticity, relieving many of these symptoms and improving day-to-day comfort and confidence.

What non-surgical treatment options are available for vaginal symptoms?

Mona Lisa Touch laser therapy:

Mona Lisa Touch treatment is an advanced laser treatment that aims to help with vaginal symptoms, especially those linked to declining oestrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause. Gentle, controlled CO2 laser energy is delivered to the vaginal tissue, stimulating collagen production and encouraging tissue repair, helping to restore moisture, elasticity and overall vaginal health.

It is often recommended for women who are experiencing:  

• Genito-urinary symptoms of menopause (known as GSM, or vaginal atrophy)
• Vaginal dryness
• Itching, burning and irritation
• Pain during sex
• Mild vaginal laxity
• Mild urinary leakage and incontinence
• Lichen sclerosus

The treatment is minimally invasive and carried out using a slim transvaginal probe, and many women describe the sensation of mild warmth or vibration.

Consultant Gynaecologist, Pandelis Athanasias, an expert in treating menopausal symptoms, reports, “Many of my patients typically see improvements after 3-4 sessions, which we space several weeks apart, although this depends on your symptoms. The recovery time is minimal, and you can usually get on with your day as normal after your treatment.”

Radiofrequency:

Radiofrequency works by delivering gentle pulses of heating and cooling energy to encourage the repair of the tissues in the vaginal walls and pelvic floor muscles. It targets the deeper tissues of the vagina, so it’s often used to treat vaginal laxity, bladder and pelvic floor weakness and mild prolapse. These are issues commonly faced by women after childbirth and also during menopause.

As Dr Adib explains: “Radiofrequency regenerates not just collagen, but also elastin too. During a vaginal birth, the vagina stretches to allow the baby through. The elastin fibres – which maintain the integrity and strength of the vagina – may stretch and weaken, and sometimes fail to heal properly. Radiofrequency allows those fibres to come together, strengthening the vaginal walls, providing support and so improving laxity and incontinence.”

We use the most advanced Radiofrequency technology, BTL Ultrafemme 360, which is particularly beneficial for women experiencing the following:

• Vaginal laxity
• Stress incontinence
• Urge incontinence
• Weak pelvic floor
• Mild prolapse
• Reduced sensation during sex

Other hormonal and non-hormonal options can include:

• Topical vaginal oestrogen
• HRT (for non-vaginal symptoms)
• Injectable hyaluronic acid
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for vaginal symptoms
• Pelvic floor physiotherapy
• Lifestyle adjustments
• A dietary plan
• Minimising caffeine and alcohol
• Targeted, evidence based supplements

How to choose the right treatment?

One of our specialist Consultant Gynaecologists will first carry out a full assessment, to determine which treatment pathway is right for you.

This will consist of: 

• A full clinical examination
• Vaginal swab
• A detailed medical history
• Comprehensive discussion of your symptoms and response to any other treatments

They will then create a personalised treatment plan which may include Radiofrequency or laser treatment or a staged combination of the two. For example, if your main concern is dryness we may begin with laser therapy, but if you are also experiencing incontinence we may then go on to Radiofrequency. 

Our Consultant Gynaecolgists Dr Tania Adib and Dr Pandelis Athanasius are leading experts in their field and have successfully treated many women with both Mona Lisa Touch and Radiofrequency. As Dr Athanasius notes, “It’s important to look carefully at each woman's symptoms and treat her accordingly. While both MLT and Radiofrequency have worked well for many of my patients, some women may need other treatments first – for example, they may have an ongoing infection that needs clearing first, or if they haven’t tried guided pelvic floor exercises, I may advise starting with that. Treatment is personal to each woman."

 What should you expect during your Mona Lisa Touch treatment or Radiofrequency?

If Mona Lisa Touch laser therapy or Radiofrequency is recommended during your consultation with one of our Consultant Gynaecologists, we will schedule a series of appointments at times that are convenient to you.

Both treatments are straightforward and quick procedures, lasting around 15-20 minutes. After making sure you are comfortable and relaxed, we use a slim transvaginal wand to deliver controlled heat or light energy to the affected areas. Our specially trained clinician will move the wand around, gently treating your vaginal and vulval areas as necessary. Most women find there is minimal discomfort, describing a sensation of heat or vibration.

For both treatments, we usually recommend 3-4 treatments in total, with 4-6 weekly intervals between them for Mona Lisa Touch therapy, or 1-2 weeks between them for Radiofrequency. Following this most women notice an improvement in their symptoms. We then recommend a maintenance treatment every 6-12 months. However, this will depend on your individual symptoms, the other aspects of your care and how you respond to the treatment. 

Is non-surgical vaginal rejuvenation safe?

The vagina, vulva and surrounding areas are delicate, highly sensitive parts of the body, so it’s important you feel confident that your treatment adheres to the highest clinical and professional standards. We understand it can be confusing when many clinics offer cosmetic ‘vaginal rejuvenation’ in non-clinical settings, rather than treatments designed to address genuine vaginal health concerns.

When considering treatment, it’s important to ensure you are under the care of experienced and qualified specialists in women’s health. You should always have a thorough consultation beforehand, including discussion of your symptoms, medical history and whether non-surgical treatment is suitable for you. A correct diagnosis is crucial, as many conditions can seem present in similar ways to vaginal dryness, so an assessment by an experienced gynaecologist is vital. 

Our Consultant Gynaecologists are leading specialists in vaginal, cervical and vulval conditions and have used Mona Lisa Touch and Radiofrequency extensively, with very positive outcomes and no reported adverse side effects. While large-scale randomised trials are still limited, the effectiveness of both treatments is supported by research published in international medical journals, and both MonaLisa Touch and Radiofrequency are widely used by gynaecologists across Europe and North America.

Why choose the Medical Chambers Kensington for vaginal rejuvenation?

All our patients are assessed individually and treatments are carried out in our comfortable, multispeciality private clinic in London. Your treatment will always be supervised by our Consultant Gynaecologists, Dr Tania Adib and Pandelis Athanasius. They provide highly empathetic and compassionate care, combined with exceptional clinical expertise.

The benefits of visiting the Medical Chambers include:

• Outstanding care from highly experienced Consultant Gynaecologists with specialist expertise in menopause, vaginal, cervical and vulval health
• Extensive experience in providing non-hormonal treatments for menopause symptoms, particularly for women affected by cancer or unable to take HRT
• Access to advanced, evidence-based treatments, including Mona Lisa Touch laser therapy and Radiofrequency treatment
• A personalised treatment plan tailored to your symptoms, medical history and lifestyle
• Comprehensive consultations with time to discuss your concerns fully and ask questions
• A discreet, welcoming and friendly team, who are dedicated to supporting and guiding you with the highest standards of care
• Ongoing monitoring and dedicated support, with follow-up appointments, at times to suit you
• A holistic approach to women’s health, with access to a wider multidisciplinary team, including ultrasound specialists, women’s health physiotherapy, and a mental health specialist
• Clear, evidence based advice focused on improving vaginal health and quality of life, rather than cosmetic outcomes

Visit our private London clinic

If you would like to find out more about non-surgical vaginal rejuvenation or discuss whether Mona Lisa Touch laser treatment or Radiofrequency may be right for you, you can make an appointment online or call 020 7244 4200 to learn more about how we can help you.