MonaLisa Touch is a type of laser therapy to treat symptoms of vaginal atrophy like vaginal dryness and painful sex. It works by repairing your vaginal tissue. A healthcare provider performs MonaLisa Touch in their office. It’s noninvasive and doesn’t require anesthesia.
MonaLisa Touch® is a type of noninvasive laser therapy to treat vaginal atrophy (also called GSM or genitourinary syndrome of menopause). GSM is a condition that causes symptoms like vaginal dryness and pain during sex. The MonaLisa Touch can help make sexual intimacy more comfortable. It works by healing the tissue lining of your vagina, restoring its moisture.
MonaLisa Touch is an alternative to estrogen-based therapies like creams, lubricants or medication. It’s ideal for people who either can’t or prefer not to use estrogen therapy as treatment for GSM.
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The MonaLisa Touch treats symptoms of GSM that most commonly occur in menopause. Menopause is when a person assigned female at birth (AFAB) stops getting their period and loses the ability to get pregnant. During menopause, your estrogen levels decrease. These hormonal changes cause your vaginal tissue to become dry and thin. This can lead to several symptoms such as:
The MonaLisa Touch helps the tissues in your vagina regenerate, helping it to become moist again.
It’s important to note that the MonaLisa Touch doesn’t tighten your vagina. There are other methods your provider may suggest if your goal is to fix looseness or sagging. The MonaLisa Touch helps restore your vagina’s lubrication, not necessarily its appearance.
The ideal candidates for MonaLisa Touch treatment are people who:
If you have any of the following health conditions, MonaLisa treatment may not be right for you:
Talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms and health history. They can tell you if you’d benefit from MonaLisa Touch laser therapy.
The MonaLisa Touch is a CO2 (carbon dioxide) fractional laser. A fractional laser delivers thousands of tiny beams of light into a specific area. The laser beams destroy vaginal tissue and stimulate your vaginal tissue to generate new blood vessels and produce more collagen and elastin. This essentially causes the tissue lining to regenerate and repair itself.
No. There’s nothing you need to do to prepare for treatment. It’s a relatively quick and painless procedure. It doesn’t involve surgery or anesthesia. Your provider will discuss any preparations with you before treatment.
Treatment with the MonaLisa Touch happens in your healthcare provider’s office.
It’s similar to what happens during a Pap smear:
The device delivers tiny energy pulses into your vagina. It may feel like a vibration or a tiny prick — like the poke of a needle. Your provider will treat both the internal vaginal skin (where a tampon goes) and the skin at the opening of your vagina.
You need three treatments spaced about six weeks apart. Your provider may recommend annual treatments to maintain relief of your symptoms.
No, it shouldn’t hurt. Your provider puts numbing gel around your vaginal opening before they insert the laser. Some people say they can feel a vibration.
Treatment with the MonaLisa takes about five minutes.
Recovery from MonaLisa laser therapy is quick. You can continue on with your day as normal. Your vagina may feel a little irritated or uncomfortable. If you feel discomfort, applying ice packs or using a lubricant may help. Avoid doing activities that cause you pain.
Treatment with MonaLisa Touch has been shown to cause significant improvements in vaginal moisture. It can restore a person’s sexual intimacy and give them confidence again.
MonaLisa Touch treatment is also beneficial for people who can’t take estrogen. Treatment for vaginal dryness traditionally involved estrogen medications. This means people who can’t take estrogen were left without an option for relief prior to MonaLisa Touch laser treatment.
Yes, studies show that over 80% of people are satisfied or very satisfied with the results of treatment. About 90% of people rate their improvement as better or much better.
Many people say they notice relief from vaginal dryness after just one treatment.
Side effects are mild and don’t last longer than 36 hours. The most common side effects are:
Most people return to their normal activities the same day. You should refrain from intercourse for three days. You can expect to have mild irritation or discomfort for 24 to 36 hours.
Discuss specific recovery instructions with your provider so you know what to expect.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have uncomfortable symptoms due to vaginal dryness. They can talk to you about possible treatment options, including treatment with MonaLisa Touch.
Your insurance doesn’t cover MonaLisa Touch treatment. The exact cost of treatment depends on your location and provider, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $1,000 per session. Some people may need up to five sessions initially. Most people need to return every 12 to 18 months for touch-ups. Be sure to talk to your provider about what you can expect to pay for treatment.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
The MonaLisa Touch® is a type of laser treatment for people with vaginal dryness, pain during sex and other uncomfortable symptoms associated with low estrogen. It delivers tiny pulses of light to your vaginal tissue, which causes it to repair itself. Talk to your healthcare provider if you’re interested in MonaLisa Touch treatment — they can tell you if it’s right for you.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 03/02/2023.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy