Radiofrecuencia monopolar no ablativa como tratamiento en el síndrome de la laxitud vaginal: revisión sistemática

Abstract

Introduction and objective

Vaginal laxity syndrome (VLS) encompasses signs and symptoms occurring when the vaginal introitus at rest exceeds the typical size (> 25 mm). Non-ablative monopolar radiofrequency (NAMRF), through endogenously generated heat, increases metabolism and denatures collagen, promoting the formation of new collagen to enhance elasticity and firmness of the skin. This study aims to analyze the available scientific evidence regarding the effect of NAMRF as a treatment for VLS.

Materials and methods

Six electronic databases (SCOPUS, PubMed, PEDro, Web of Science, Science Database, and Sport Discus) were consulted between November 2022 and February 2023 to identify clinical trials involving women with VLS who underwent NAMRF treatment in the vaginal area. Studies combining NAMRF with other therapies in the same group or those with inaccessible full texts were excluded. Methodological quality assessment employed the PEDro and Quality Assessment Tool for Before-After Studies with No Control Group scales, while Cochrane's risk of bias tool assessed bias risk.

Results

Six studies with a total sample of 196 women, averaging 42.34 ± 6 years, were included. All six studies demonstrated low to moderate methodological quality and a high risk of bias. Nevertheless, NAMRF treatment in VLS resulted in a statistically significant decrease in vaginal introitus size in all studies. Statistically significant improvements were also noted in desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and sexual satisfaction, among other factors.

Conclusions

NAMRF appears to reduce vaginal opening and may enhance sexual function, including increased desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction in women self-reporting VLS. It may also strengthen pelvic floor muscles, reduce urinary incontinence frequency, and increase clitoral sensitivity. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously due to the overall low to moderate methodological quality and high risk of bias in the included studies.