Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) occurs in approximately 50% of menopausal women but is both underrecognized and undertreated despite numerous treatment options. Vaginal dryness, irritation, dyspareunia, urinary frequency, and urinary urgency are some of the more common symptoms that can have a negative effect on women's lives and relationships. In particular, dyspareunia is localized in the vestibule with specific trophic changes more evident than those localized in vagina. The CO2 fractionated laser, has also been found to be useful in several studies for the treatment of vaginal atrophy. In this open comparative study, 70 female menopausal subjects aged between 40 and 70 years old at inclusion, having symptoms of GSM (Vaginal dryness, burning/pain, dyspareunia,dysuria), have given her informed consent and meet all the eligibility criteria, will be enrolled. The two groups of comparison will be 35 subjects treated into vagina and vestibule, versus 35 subjects treated into vagina, only. Subjects will come to a total of 6 visits over a period of 3 months. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the performance and safety of Pixel CO2-Alma Fractionated Laser comparing its administration into vagina and vestibule versus into vagina, only. The evaluated outcomes are vaginal dryness, burning/pain, dyspareunia, sensitivity to touch at Swab test, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Vulval Pain Functional Questionnaire (VQ) at day 84 and 120 and the safety during all the study. The secondary objectives are the evaluation of vaginal and vestibular trophism, measured by Vaginal Health Index (VHI) and Vestibular Health Score (VHS) at the FU visits.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
70
The Laser will be administered at baseline (visit 2, day 0), at visit 3 (day 28) and at visit 4 (day 56) into vagina and vestibule, following the IFU of the device.
Device: Fractionated Laser (Pixel CO2-Alma) The Laser will be administered at baseline (visit 2, day 0), at visit 3 (day 28) and at visit 4 (day 56) into vagina only, following the IFU of the device.
Ospedale dei Bambini V Buzzi
Milan, Italy
Vaginal dryness by Visual Analogue Scale
The changing will be measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) mean values from baseline to day 84 (visit 5), and 120 (final visit) in each group separately and in the two groups in comparison. The minimum score is 0 and the maximum score is 10, where 0 represents no symptoms and 10 represents severe symptoms
Time frame: 120 days
Burning/pain by Visual Analogue Scale
The changing will be measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) mean values from baseline to day 84 (visit 5), and 120 (final visit) in each group separately and in the two groups in comparison. The minimum score is 0 and the maximum score is 10, where 0 represents no symptoms and 10 represents severe symptoms
Time frame: 120 days
Dyspareunia by Visual Analogue Scale
The changing will be measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) mean values from baseline to day 84 (visit 5), and 120 (final visit) in each group separately and in the two groups in comparison. The minimum score is 0 and the maximum score is 10, where 0 represents no symptoms and 10 represents severe symptoms
Time frame: 120 days
Pain/sensitivity to touch at Swab test by Visual Analogue Scale.
The changing will be measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) mean values from baseline to day 84 (visit 5), and 120 (final visit) in each group separately and in the two groups in comparison. The minimum score is 0 and the maximum score is 10, where 0 represents no symptoms and 10 represents severe symptoms
Time frame: 120 days
Sexual Function by Female Sexual Function Index
Sexual function will be evaluated at baseline and after 84 and 120 days by the Italian validated translation of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), a self-report instrument consisting of 19 items that assess sexual function over the past 4 weeks in six areas: sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. Mean value in each group separately and in the two groups in comparison will be analyzed.
Time frame: 120 days
Vulval Pain by Vulval Pain Functional Questionnaire
The Vulval Pain Functional Questionnaire (VQ) will be used to quantify the extent that pelvic pain is affecting the patients. A numerical value is assigned to each response. The higher the score the greater the functional limitation. A diminishing score represents improvement.
Time frame: 120 days
Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events/ Adverse Device Events/ Serious Adverse Events/ Serious Adverse Device Events [Safety and Tolerability]
The incidence will be calculated by searching for Adverse Event (AE), Adverse Device Event ADE, Serious Adverse Event (SAE), Serious Adverse Device Event (SADE) at each visit
Time frame: up to 120 days
Vestibular Trophism by Vaginal Health Index
The changing from baseline to day 84 (visit 5) and 120 (final visit) for Vaginal Health Index (VHI) mean value in each group separately and the changing in Arm A in comparison with that occurred in Arm B. The VHI score evaluates 5 parameters (vaginal elasticity, vaginal secretions, vaginal pH, epithelial mucous membrane, vaginal hydration) and to obtain a final score defining the degree of atrophy in the genitourinary tract by assigning a single score to each parameter. The minim score is 5 and the maxim is 25.
Time frame: 120 days
Vestibular Trophism by Vestibular Health Score
Vestibular Health Score (VHS) will be used by the Investigator evaluating 5 parameters (Petechiae, Pallor, Fragility, dryness, Erythema) and to obtain a final score defining the degree of atrophy. Each item is scored on a Likert scale between 0 =absent and 3 =severe. Total scores range from 0 to 15.
Time frame: 120 days
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.