Radiofrequency plus PEFM safely improves vulvovaginal atrophy symptoms

A device that combines radiofrequency (RF) with pulsed electromagnetic field–based device (PEMF) appears safe to use and has been shown to improve symptoms related to vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) as well as female sexual function, reports a study. In addition, the nonablative, noncoagulative multipolar RF/PEMF device yields high satisfaction from women.

This prospective, randomized, sham-controlled, multicentre clinical study assessed 76 women, aged 19 years and above, with symptoms associated with VVA. Participants were randomized to receive three RF + PEMF (active group) treatments or sham treatments (sham group) delivered to vaginal tissue at monthly intervals.

The investigators assessed the Vaginal Health Index (VHI), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), subject sexual satisfaction and vaginal laxity (VL) score, treatment-associated pain, and adverse events at four follow-up visits between 1 and 12 months after treatment.

The active group demonstrated significantly better mean VHI scores than the sham group following treatment, except at the last follow-up visit (p<0.001). A decrease in pH (active over sham) was found to be greater at 1 and 4 months post-treatment (p<0.05).

The active group also showed improvements in FSFI, but such improvement was not significantly better than that of the sham group at all follow-up visits.

Sexual satisfaction improved more in the active group than in the sham group at all follow-up visits (p<0.05). Likewise, VL evaluations showed better improvement in the active group at 4, 6, and 12 months after treatment (p<0.05).

In addition, the active group reported greater treatment satisfaction, while pain was only minimal in both groups. Serious adverse effects did not occur.

“As a noninvasive alternative to traditional surgical and topical procedures, three sessions of noninvasive combination RF/PEMF safely demonstrated improvement in symptoms related to VVA,” the investigators said.