TherMiva for Treatment of Genital, Urinary and Sexual Post-Menopausal Problems in Women in NYC
by Dr. Alex Shteynshlyuger, a board-certified urologist and specialist in the treatment of urinary problems in women including frequent urination, burning with urination and urinary retention.
If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation or if you need a second opinion, please contact us or call: 646-663-4151
Thermiva for Urinary Incontinence and Vaginal Health
What is ThermiVa?
ThermiVa is a non-invasive, painless procedure to rejuvenate the external genitalia (labia, vulva, and vagina) in women. It is a non-surgical treatment that is performed in the office with an energy-based device. It has been shown to be beneficial for many women with vaginal problems particularly related to menopause.
What Does ThermiVa Help With?
ThermiVa is used to treat several signs and symptoms associated with urinary and sexual dysfunction. Women who undergo this treatment can expect to see improvement in vaginal laxity and atrophic vaginitis as well as stress urinary incontinence and symptoms of overactive bladder. The treatment gives a more youthful appearance to the vulvovaginal region by increasing the amount of collagen fibers. It restores vaginal elasticity and improves tightness and moisture. Some women who suffer from anorgasmia (an inability to experience orgasms) also report improvement after ThermiVa treatments.
Who is a Candidate for ThermiVa?
Women who have undergone vaginal childbirth as well as pre- and post-menopausal women are candidates for ThermiVa. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (atrophic vaginitis) occurs in about 50-75 percent of women due to decreased estrogen levels. Signs and symptoms of urogenital atrophy include burning, dryness, irritation, discomfort, pain, sexual dysfunction, urinary urgency, dysuria, and incontinence. Women who have some or all these symptoms can benefit from ThermiVa.
How does ThermiVa Work?
During a ThermiVa treatment, radiofrequency energy is delivered to the vaginal tissues. The application of transcutaneous temperature-controlled RF energy has been shown to restore a more youthful appearance to the vulvovaginal area. RF energy is safe, effective, painless, and noninvasive.
The thermal effect of the RF energy causes ablation and/or coagulation in the tissues. This activates healing and growth factors, stimulates the production of new collagen, and improves blood flow to the area. The result is a tightening of the area and restoration of elasticity. The newer, healthier tissue is stronger, better lubricated, and more resistant to tears. This provides relief from symptoms such as pain, dryness, burning, incontinence, overactive bladder, and sexual dysfunction.
Higher energies can be used in the vaginal area, compared to the face, for example, without inducing pain. This ability to deliver more energy results in a more profound effect in vaginal rejuvenation.
Is There Evidence that ThermiVa is Effective?
Studies [1, 2] have found that transcutaneous temperature-controlled RF (TTCRF or ThermiVa) treatments, three sessions spaced 4 weeks apart, result in significant improvement in atrophic vaginitis, vulvovaginal laxity, and sexual satisfaction. There is also a noticeable improvement in orgasmic dysfunction and stress urinary incontinence.
When tissues treated with ThermiVa are examined under the microscope, there is an increase in elastin, collagen, blood vessels, and small nerve fibers. Increased density of nerve fibers is associated with improved sensitivity, leading to better arousal and orgasmic function. The results are maintained for at least 120 days. The treatment is safe and effective with no side effects.
Women who participated in a study [3] on ThermiVa reported a considerable reduction in time to orgasm. There was also visible tightening of the female external genitalia and increased moisture. This improved natural lubrication of the vagina reduces dryness and friction which can cause discomfort, especially during sex.
Another study [4] found that 70 percent of patients who had TTCRF reported significant improvement in urinary incontinence for up to 12 weeks of follow-up. The treatment was well tolerated with no complications.
What to Expect During Treatment with ThermiVa?
ThermiVa is performed using a slim S-shaped probe that has an RF emitter at its tip. The feedback mechanism in the probe monitors temperature and adjusts the power output to keep the temperature in the target range. For the patient, the treatment feels similar to a warm, relaxing internal massage.
Number of sessions: Typically, two or three treatments are necessary for best outcomes, although results are often noticeable after the first session.
Duration of sessions: Each session lasts about 30 minutes.
Pain: The treatment is painless and no anesthesia is required.
How Long Does ThermiVa Last?
The results vary, but most women see a noticeable improvement about 2 weeks after the first treatment. The benefits typically peak after the second or third session. The results can last for six months to one year.
Recovery After ThermiVa: What to Expect
The skin is not breached during a ThermiVa treatment, so there is no discharge, no wound care required, and no downtime. The tissue surface does not need to heal, which means patients can resume normal activities, including sex, immediately after a ThermiVa session.
Potential Benefits from ThermiVa Treatment
Vaginal atrophy (degeneration or wasting away) commonly occurs following childbirth or during pre-menopause. ThermiVa addresses this and relieves symptoms of vaginal discomfort such as dryness, burning, and incontinence. Here are some potential benefits of ThermiVa:
- More youthful appearance of vulvovaginal area
- Better natural lubrication and less dryness
- Tightening of the vagina
- Quicker and more intense orgasms
- Improvement in burning, dryness, irritation, discomfort, and pain during sex
- Reduction in urinary urgency, frequency, and dysuria
- Relief from stress urinary incontinence
ThermiVa vs MonaLisa Touch
ThermiVa has certain advantages over laser treatments such as MonaLisa Touch. The treatment probe used in the ThermiVa procedure is small, narrow, and shaped like the dilators commonly used by gynecologists. These single-use wands are hygienic and do not require any cleaning. The device itself is light and portable. No smoke or odor is generated, so there is no need for smoke evacuators or special glasses. The biggest advantage of ThermiVa over laser treatments is that the skin barrier remains completely intact and there is no tissue or skin healing required.
Talk to us at New York Urology Specialists today to see if ThermiVa is right for you. Our offices are conveniently located in Midtown Manhattan. Our board-certified urologists have extensive experience in treating female genitourinary symptoms, including frequency, urgency, incontinence, dryness, burning, and pain.
Why Choose New York Urology Specialists for Treatment of Bladder Pain and Discomfort?
- All treatment is performed by a Board-certified urologist experienced in treating men with symptoms of frequent urination, urinary urgency, urinary incontinence and bladder pain using medical therapy, minimally invasive therapies, lasers, and open surgery.
- We are one of the few practices in the region to offer a full range of options for treatment of urinary problems in men and women
- We offer treatment options for overactive bladder, UTI, and urinary incontinence in our office which avoids the risks, costs, and recovery from general anesthesia.
- Extensive Experience: Hundreds of men and wo men have been treated successfully using medical therapy, Botox for overactive bladder, Interstim for frequent urination and tibial neuromodulation.
When it comes to experience and innovation – New York Urology Specialists are a step ahead. Better Science Means Better Care. We specialize in minimally invasive highly effective treatment for symptoms of bladder pain, urethral burning, pelvic discomfort, incomplete bladder emptying, urinary frequency, and urgency. Many treatment procedures are performed in the convenience and privacy of office settings under local anesthesia.
If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation or if you need a second opinion, please contact us or call: 646-663-4151
Medicare and major insurances accepted. Urologist. We offer affordable rates and financing options.
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Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Shteynshlyuger:
If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation or if you need a second opinion, please contact us or call: 646-663-4151
We offer affordable, highest-quality urology care with or without insurance. Find out our office hours or directions to our office. We offer weekday, weekend, and evening office hours.
If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation or if you need a second opinion, please contact us or call: 646-663-4151
Dr. Alex Shteynshlyuger is a board-certified urologist in NYC who specializes in treating men and women with urinary problems including frequent urination, difficulty emptying the bladder, urinary urgency and incontinence.