Abstract
BACKGROUND: Menopause involves a range of bodily changes, with impacts on physical and psychological well-being. Around half of the postmenopausal women experience genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Fractional CO(2) laser treatment can promote tissue regeneration in the vaginal wall to potentially assist with managing GSM. However, the results from clinical trials of this treatment have been mixed, and the personal perceptions and experiences of women receiving this treatment have been largely unexplored. OBJECTIVES: To qualitatively explore the motivations and outcomes of women who have undergone vaginal fractional CO(2) laser treatment. METHODS: Fourteen postmenopausal women were involved in the study. These women had undergone vaginal fractional CO(2) laser treatment between 2 and 48 months earlier (M = 32.1, standard deviation = 14.9 months). Telephone interviews were conducted to explore women's motivations and their experiences after treatment. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Deductive and inductive thematic analysis was conducted to analyze interviews. RESULTS: Analyses produced 4 major themes. First, motivations mostly revolved around participants seeking relief from menopausal symptoms. Second, some participants noted positive sexual outcomes, including improved sexual pleasure after treatment. Third, participants noted positive physical and psychological effects, including improvements in incontinence and overall confidence. Lastly, a subset of participants reported no discernible changes. CONCLUSIONS: This novel qualitative exploration of women's motivations and outcomes of fractional CO(2) laser therapy demonstrates the multifaceted impact of treatment. These findings highlight the importance of considering the holistic effects of fractional CO(2) laser therapy on women's health during midlife, particularly amid menopausal changes.