ThermiVa

December 29, 2017 by Dana Shanis, MD

ThermiVa® is a non-surgical, safe and effective procedure that uses radiofrequency heat to tighten loose, sagging skin and increase blood flow and nerve sensitivity in the vaginal area. This procedure is used to treat many common vaginal complaints, including:

1· Vaginal and labial laxity

Stretching of the vaginal tissues and muscles is common after childbirth and can occur with normal aging. This can cause decreased sexual satisfaction, discomfort with exercise and bothersome urinary symptoms. The labia (external lips around vagina) also experience sagging over time, which can cause rubbing and irritation and cause many women to feel self-conscious. ThermiVa® can be used both internally and externally for these concerns. The heat applied during the procedure causes the tissues to contract and increases the amount of collagen in the area.

2· Vaginal dryness

Many medications, as well as the normal aging process can cause vaginal dryness for many women. This dryness often becomes severe after menopause or cancer treatments, causing daily discomfort and making sex painful. Without exposure to hormones, the ThermiVa® procedure increases blood flow in the area which increases vaginal moisture and lubrication during sexual activity.

3· Urinary incontinence and overactive bladder

Urinary complaints are common in women of all ages, most commonly incontinence (leaking urine) and overactive bladder. The radiofrequency applied to the vaginal tissues during the ThermiVa procedure can help tighten the tissue under the urethra, which decreases the rate of leaking with cough, sneeze or exercise. The procedure also increases nerve growth around the bladder, which can decrease bladder irritation that causes the urgency experienced in overactive bladder.

4· Painful sex

ThermiVa® helps reduce muscle spasms in the pelvic floor that are commonly a cause of pain with sex. Many women also report an improvement in their desire, arousal and ability to orgasm after the treatment. Due to the small probe size, most women report little to no discomfort during the procedure even if they are unable to tolerate penetration during sex due to pain.

How is it performed?

During the procedure, a small wand is slowly moved over the areas of concern, gradually heating the tissue. The procedure takes less than an hour, during which most women report feeling only a warm sensation and no pain. There is no down time once completed, women can return to exercise and sexual activity immediately. A total of three treatments, scheduled a month apart, are recommended for optimal results.

When will I see results?

While each woman’s experience may differ, many women notice a difference within hours to days after their first treatment. For some women it takes longer or multiple treatments. The effects of the treatments continue to improve for several weeks and lasts up to one year on average. A touchup session is often needed after a year to maintain the effect.

Is it safe?

Over 50,000 procedures have been performed with this technology worldwide, and no burns or significant adverse outcomes have been reported.

If you are dealing with any of these issues, you do not have to live with the discomfort any longer. Schedule a consultation with one of our Women’s Health providers to review your concerns, discuss alternative treatment options and determine if you may benefit from this procedure.

A Note from RWWC

“Since our founding in 2008, our goal has been to provide primary care for women. Our team of physicians and nurse practitioners are dedicated to providing preventive care, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic disease(s) and coordination of care with specialists.”

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