Mona Lisa touch reviews

cin, that is very sad news. I really feel for you. I'm not sure I recognize your name, but there are so many different discussions it's hard to keep tack of everyone. I think many of the women getting it are your age. Maybe they can respond and let us know. What did the doctor say about your body's response? Obviously you were being treated for yeast, but were you actually testing postive for yeast? Maybe in time your body will heal and balance out. What is the doctor's explanation of how your body reacted?

I am even older than you, haven't had the ML, but was hoping if my symptoms got worse I would have the ML as a viable alternative. Yours may be the 2nd unsuccessful reaction mentioned on the site so far. I do find it difficult to keep all these discussions straight!

Here's hoping with time you will feel better.

Hi. I am 71 Mona Lisa was a major life changer for me. No pain or Uti's in over 8 months. For me it was a life changer.

Hi Nancyo!  For the past seven months I have had non stop burning in my vagina along with soreness and frequency of urination. Five doctors later and over 15 visits I was put on estrace and vagifem.  I've been on those for six weeks now with zero relieve.

 This has greatly impacted my life.  The burning pain is fairly severe and never stops.  I have not been able to work because of the pain and spend most days crying.  I am getting more and more depressed.

I have a consultation for Mona Lisa Touch in two days, on Friday.  I am hoping this is the answer to my prayers.

Can I ask you if you had vaginal burning prior to Mona Lisa?  If not, can you  please tell me your symptoms?  Did the Mona Lisa releive these symptoms. Most of the burning is on the left side of my vagina, inside the vagina, not on the labia.

Thank you for your time, I am so disraught over this and need help.  

I had the worst symptoms burning itching pain Uti's depression fatigue Saw urologist who said I had intersistal cystitis which after 1 year of treatments was wrong I saw gyns and then urologist gyn who I talked to about Mona Lisa which I found on Internet She was the first one who said vaginal atrophy and she encouraged me to do it. Was on antibiotics all the time because of Uti's . Also on Premarin and always in pain. Mona Lisa gave me my life back. Have not had symptoms any longer or Uti's since last treatment.

I would recommend it. I would have done anything after 3 years out if my life

nancy, this is only somewhat related to the topic, but I just had laser treatment for sun damage on my hands and face. From what I had read and was told I expected some light scabbing that would quickly slough off within days. Well, it's been almost a week and the "scabs" are a deep eggplant color and really unsightly. I called the dermatologists office and spoke with the nurse who said the healing takes weeks and I won't know till then IF it will work. (The doctor had been very cavalier saying he could easily remove the original damage.) Obviously it will now be a while before I look at all normal. I am putting Vaseline on the areas as instructed. It doesn't hurt unless I inadvertantly touch them. I put sunscreen on my hands (was told at the office to do so) but that stung so badly I washed it off immediately. I was wondering if the results from the Mona Lisa were actually the same as it is also laser, but considering the location you just can't see the scars that form. The laser in both procedures is supposed to encourage the production of new collagen. Were you given specific info re the healing process after the Mona Lisa?

Yes, I was told I have atrophic vaginitis, but the thing that concerns me is all of the pain in my vagina is on one side although my vagina is very, very dry all throughout.  You said your pain is only on one side so maybe I have pudenial neuralgia as wel.  

I have been to so many doctors and do not know if a pelvic floor specialist exists here (I think that is who you said you went to)  I am in so much pain but no one is taking me seriously.  The burning never stops, not even for one minute.  I am so frightened and miserable asif this does have something to do with my nerve there is no one to diagnose this or help me.

Jean, do you have any suggestions as far as what type of doctor I could see or what to tell them?

Thank you so much for your time..

Lisa

Thank you so much for replying Nancy.  I am going for Mona Lisa consult tomorrow and then set up treatments.  I am so desperate.  I was told this is vaginal atrophy, and I do have severe dryness, but all of the burning is on one side of my vagina which makes me nervous that it may be a nerve problem.

This is all so upsetting.  I sailed through menopause with some hot flashes and that is all.  I didn't even know atrophic vaginitis existed.  

Did you get any burning relief after the first treatment, the second?? Or was all your relief after the third treatment?

Thank you so much for your time,

I went to a chronic pain Dr. who specializes in pelvic pain. He was Dr. Joseph Abdelmalak at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. It is a pretty small subspecialty so depending where you live, you may have to travel. I suffered with that for a year and it took this Dr. 5 minutes to diagnose me! I had two nerve blocks which were diagnostic mainly but he used some steroid also to help some. Now I am in PT- you need a specialized PT who does pelvic floor therapy. This could take quite a while but after each treatment for PT by the PT I have felt relief for a few hours up to 4 days. Now working to get rid of this. There are other things if PT doesn't work totally, but first get a proper diagnosis. You will undoubtedly need to go to a large clinic.

I think I added this somewhere, but I had both probelms AV and Pudenal neuralgia as well as obturator muscle spasm all at the same time. I thought it was all AV and when two Drs same it looked good after the Mona Lisa treatments, I  couldn't understand what was going on. You amy have more than just AV.

You mentioned that the Mona Lisa helped you. How has it helped you? 

Also, did you have any relief after first treatment, or did you only find relief after the third?

I was at my wits end

I've had all 3 Mona Lisa treatments, and it has helped so much. I haven't had to you Estrace cream since the first one. I had constant burning at the vaginal entrance, and always felt like I had to pee. The Estrace took about 6 mo till it started to help, and I think that was only once my gyn said to increase it to 3x a week. But even though it finally started to help, it's so messy, and I had to constantly wear pads. Plus if I got behind schedule by a day or two, the burning would start again. The ML treatment didn't hurt at all during the procedure, but did have some burning and itching for a few days after. Used AquaPhor which really helped. I also used a LOT of Coconut oil between Estrace prior to the ML. My GYN also treated the outside tissues each time. Don't know how long it will last, or if I'll require the yearly touch up, but it has been worth every cent to me. Good luck to you

Oh! I am so relieved to learn that someone else had constant burning at the vaginal opening.  Not happy that you suffered, but relieved that there is hope for me.  I have constant burning at the vaginal opening and also deeper inside.  It has me so upset that I cry each day. It hurts to sit, stand, sleep.... Now I have hope that this Mona Lisa therapy will help me.  Nancy and Jean have been wonderful on here as well, both giving me hope for healing!

Thank you so much for taking the time to post to me here Peg it has helped me a lot.  Tomorrow I go for my Mona Lisa consult!  Hope at last! :-))

Lisa

I am at my wits end too...but now have hope  :-)

Thank you for replying once again Jean!  The Vagifem has done little for me although I have only been using it for 6-7 weeks and I've heard it can take 3-4 months to kick in.

You have been wonderful in replying and answering my questions!  I now have hope due to all of you Mona Lisa Adventurists!  lol

lisa, It certainly is helpful to know there are other women having to deal with the problem, what hasn't helped and what has, isn't it?  Istumbled upon this site a couple of years ago after being told by the gynecologist that I needed to use Premarin cream before the AV got worse. I never filled the prescription because I had a sister with breast cancer who had been on HRT. I actually haven't been back to see that doctor. The AV doesn't seem to be causing any serious problems though she did warn it could. After reading what other women go through I can see she was right about that, but I'm still not willing to take a chance with hormones. My sister died of her cancer a month ago; she had pleaded with me not to use the cream.

Since first coming on here the Mona Lisa treatment was mentioned by someone in Europe, I believe, and more women started to get it. There are success stories and some unsuccessful, but I am really counting on it as my salvation should symptoms get worse. In the meantime there is Vit E and coconut oil.

I hope the ML works well for you. Let us know. Good luck!

I went for my Mona Lisa Consult today and the doctor refused as he is certain my constant pain is nerve pain not AV.  He referred me to a specialist, but she cannot see me for two months. I am so devastated.  The pain is intense and I can barely get through each day.  :-(

You mention physical therapy.  Is that the treatment for pudendal nerve pain?  Is there anything else?

That is why you have to go in for the prliminary consulation. It had to wait too. The Drs in that field are so booked up. If your state is a self-referral state you can make an appt with a PT without going thru your regular Dr. I had/have both conditions VA and pudenal nerve neuralgia and obturator spasms in the pelvis. If you go to a PT it has to be someone who is ceritified in Pelvic Floor therapy. They will be able to see if you have any trigger points or pelvic floor spasms. My protocol was two pudenal nerve blocks, now PT followed by trigger point injections then possible nerve ablation. I called about setting up the trigger point injections with the Dr. the pain guy referred me to. Next appt for consultion in February and then don't know how long to get the actual injection. Horrible to have to wait, but that means the person is very busy which means he is probably very good. At least that is the way I see it.

lisa, it was recently mentioned on another thread that Nortriptyline is sometimes prescribed for pain associated with these issues. It is actually an anti-depressant, but some meds have side effects that help other issues.

I was prescribed a low dose of Trazadone to help me sleep and that is an older anti-depressant. (If it makes people sleepy I can't imagine it did much for depression, but maybe that's why they don't prescribe it much anymore.)

Might be worth discussing the Nortriptyline with your doctor via phone if he/she is not available for an appointment.

I'm exactly like you . What has made me so angry is non stop burning pain and no one seems to understand. My life came to a stand still overnight. All I could do was cry. My husband finally went to the doctor and insisted giving me pain meds. They prescribed Norco I had zero hope it would even touch the pain but it did. I can't worry becoming addicted right now. I could not take the pain and burning and no sleep. Ask for something for the pain while you are trying to find a treatment that works. Norco relives about 80 persent of the pain. Don't let them tell you to just be patient

Hi Lisa, 

I was diagnosed with AV one year ago by my OBGYN. I too had searing burning inside and out as well as recurrent UTI's.  I finally went to a urologist who has said I probably have cystitis. 

I learned Ned about the Mona Lisa from a postcard that came from my OBGYN and I'd described all of my symptoms! Also I'm a breast cancer survivor and only used the estrogen because my pain was so terrible. 

Saw at my OBGYN today after just having a terrible weekend of pain and possible UTI. After telling her how this condition has made my life so miserable, she said I would benefit from the MLT.  So, I had my first treatment this afternoon at 4:00! I was nervous but she's been my doctor for many years and I trust her. 

The treatment was was not bad at all! It's now 11:00pm and though I do feel a bit of swelling in the vagina, there has so far been no burning. I just hope it continues to get better from here!  I'd love to hear how you are!

Ladies, this is a later reply to your topic but for me it is still valid and have jsut been reading through it all just to get an understanding of what others are going through. I am 55 and had vaginal atrophy causing painful intercourse no UTI's. I had my 1st ML 3months ago and just did my 3rd and last. First one was on low and had not much in changes. 

second one she turned up and I had some bleeding afterwords, a little discomfort for 2 days and then all good. and it made a huge difference. Not 100% but defintiely 60% improvement . I will see what this last treatment does. I am diasapointed for all ladies that have not had success. Perhaps the initial cause was not properly diagnosed. I am so happy not to have that burning during intercourse. Pain that actaully prevents me from participating and that means an unhappy husband. But thankfully he is understaning. I have had no issues with the treatment and have definite improvement so can't talk it up highly enough. So glad I found it. 

I am suffering greatly from AV and had my first Mona Lisa Treatment about a week ago.  I have burning and soreness continuously, non stop.  You said you noticed improvement after the second treatment. How soon after the second treatment did you feel this improvement?  Was it immediate, weeks?

I am trying desperately to remain positive and have been trying to heal my adrenal glands so they will produce more estrogen on their own but I have been dealing with this for one full year now and I cannot believe the negative impact it has had on my life...I cannot work, etc and emotionally I am crying all of the time.

Any encouragement you can give me would be great!  Also, do you think I should ask the doctor to turn up the laser.  I did not know there was more than one setting? Also, did your doctor treat the outside as well as the inside?  You mentioned you had burning during intercourse. Did you have burning at other times as well? My buringing never stops.  Lots of questions.  lol

Blessings to you...

Hi,

I also have had only one Mona Lisa treatment on January 3rd. Afterwards I too still had burning which turned out to be caused by a yeast infection which I suspected I had before the treatment. Took 2 courses of Difloucan and it helped greatly with the vaginal burning. I had treatment inside and out but not sure what the laser was set on. After the vaginal burning stopped I still had burning in the urethra. After much research I wondered if my herpes could have something to do with it. I've had herpes for over 25 years but never in the urethra. It felt just like that though. After much online research, I learned about a supplement called Lysine. It will help counteract whatever causes the herpes to breakout. After about 4 days of takin lysine and Acyclovir I'm finally feeling almost normal! Herpes can be dormant in a persons body without any symptoms which I never knew. Worth looking into anyway.

I hope you find some relief. I was ready to shoot myself from the pain!!

Hi Alexandria, 

my experience was positive and I am fortunate to have found a good doctor.  Please don't get me wrong about that, as I really don't know what constitutes a bad one but I feel that mine was thorough.  There were lots of questions before the treatment.  Christie below mentioned that she had herpes and the one thing that you have to declare is herpes or candida. Even if you have only e dr had it once and never again, it can stay dormant in your body.  In order to do the trea ment they have to really dry out the vaginal tissue and that can stir up the herpes or the yeast infections.  So tell you doctor and I did and she put me on a course of preventative madivation before the treatment. I had no trouble with the first treatment or any of them as I have to take the medication for 3 days before and 4 days after.

i didn't ask the doctors to turn up the dial. She decided on her own, saying that she though I could take it.  She also commented that it was still mild compared to the settings that a doctor in south Australia is using.

I am not a doctor or medically qualified in any sense.  Just a woman going through post manopausal hassles.  It's a bugger. i didn't have constant burning. Perhaps ask your doctor to do a swab test of the tissue to see if they can determine if there is any reason for the constant burning.  Treat that first. Get it under control. 

I don't know your age or if your VA was seen by a doctor or self diagnosed. 

For me things were getting really dry and intercourse more and more painful. That lead me to my GP, who said this is common at my age and try cream.  It didn't work and I started looking for alternatives. One I found was PRP injections. The other was the ML.  I have tried both now and have felt imptovement. I am told that the real difference should start kicking in 3-4 months down the track.  

There is a silver lining.  Keep positive.  If the ML is not for you there are other things.  But firstly I would discuss that burning with the doctor and get it tested.

Hi Rose!

Thank you so much for your detailed answer.  I've been to seven different doctors over the course of the last year looking for a diagnosis and solution.  I was diagnosed with AV by two doctors.  In addition one of the best specialists here in my area diagnosed me with a pelvic floor problem.  The specialist referred me to three months of physical therapy for the pelvic floor which didn't help.  Most of my burning and pain is on the left of my vagina  so she thought I had a nerve problem which pelvic floor therapy would usually help, but now I have pain on both sides although primarily still on the left side.  I have so much burning especially when urinating and my urethra doesn't feel normal.  I've had every test in the book from pelvic sonograms to cytoscope of my urethra to bladder tests.  At first I dismissed that this could be AV because of the pain mostly on one side but I am so dry and so sore that I am now fairly convinced it is AV hence the Mona Lisa.  I was on estrace and vagifem for seven weeks and then discontinued because I was seeing no results and taking estrogen with its risks frightened me, but now I wish I had continued because I am in so much pain all of the time.  I've been tested for every std, yeast, etc and all comes back negative.  I am 54 years old and was finished with my period just before my 50th birthday.

The pain mostly concentrated on one side is what frightens me because that could involve nerves but I am pretty sure this is just severe AV.

As of now, I am placing all of my hope in this laser and after much research on adrenal glands and their function after menopause in producing estrogen I am trying to make sure I do everything to make sure my adrenal glands are functioning properly. Under severe stress for prolonged periods of time (my life) the adrenals can stop producing estrogen.  These menopausal problems are almost non existant in most cultures except for those living the the US and Europe.  Most agree this is due to poor diet and lack of exercise and especially prolonged periods of stress.

I'll keep posting here as I receive the remainder of my MLT so all can know how it goes...

Blessings...

I am using estriol 3 times a week.  I don't want to do anymore treatments.  The fourth one did me in.  Been burning in urethra since Monday saw doc on Thur says I have urethritis again.  3 times since starting treatment.  Antbiotic I'm on now.  Not working call service today they put me on uribel.  I took Valium today pyridium and oxy.  Let's see how  I felll after  uribel wears off.  Calling doc on Tuesday.  I also use coconut oi.

interested to know what happened ????