Erbium YAG laser shows potential for treating OAB, vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women

Use of the Erbium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Erbium YAG) laser in postmenopausal women appears to improve symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) and vaginal atrophy, as shown in a study.

The single centre study included 50 Thai postmenopausal women who had OAB and complained of one or more of vaginal atrophy symptoms (VAS). These women were randomly assigned to receive either one treatment session of vaginal Erbium YAG laser (n=25) or the sham procedure (n=25).

The primary endpoint was the Thai version Overactive Bladder Symptom Score. Secondary endpoints included results from the Thai version Overactive Bladder questionnaire (OAB-q), Patient Perception of Bladder Condition Questionnaire, bladder diary, VAS score, and Vaginal Health Index score (VHI). Outcomes were evaluated and compared between the two treatment groups at 12 weeks after treatment.

At week 12 post-treatment, the Erbium YAG laser group had significantly better improvements in total Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (6.03 vs 8.44; p=0.015), nocturia (1.71 vs 2.32; p=0.004), and urgency (2 vs 3; p=0.008) as compared with the sham group.

Additionally, the Erbium YAG laser group showed significant improvements in the coping and social subscale of OAB-q, daytime micturition frequency, urgency and maximum urine volume, VAS, and VHI scores.

The findings highlight the potential of the vaginal Erbium YAG laser in treatment of OAB and vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women.