Efficacy of CO<sub>2</sub> laser treatment in postmenopausal women with vulvovaginal atrophy: A meta‐analysis
Meichen Liu, Fengyong Li, Yu Zhou, Yujiao Cao, Senkai Li, Qiang Li
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: laser treatment in postmenopausal women with vulvovaginal atrophy. METHOD: laser treatment were included. Two researchers independently reviewed articles and extracted data. Heterogeneity test was conducted for each outcome indicator. Sensitivity analysis was performed in all models. RESULTS: Twelve articles including 459 participants were enrolled. Compared with baseline, vaginal health indeices (VHIs) were significantly higher at the 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow ups (P < 0.001). For VVA severity, the visual analog scale scores for vaginal dryness at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups (P < 0.050), vaginal burning, itching, and dysuria at 1-month follow up (P < 0.001), and dyspareunia at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups (P < 0.001) were all significantly lower. For FSFI, total scores at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow ups (P < 0.001), and the scores in desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain at 1-month follow up (P < 0.050) were all significantly higher. For quality of life, the PCS12 and MCS12 scores were all significantly higher (P < 0.050) at the 1-month follow up. CONCLUSION: laser treatment may be effective for postmenopausal women with VVA symptoms in improving quality of life and sexual function.