Breaking Barriers

Kim Evans, MD, a board-certified OB/GYN from Sugar Land, Texas, runs a niche practice that caters to female sexual health. She remembers purchasing her first vaginal rejuvenation device in 2014. “Women could not believe there was something like it,” she exclaimed. Since then, Dr. Evans said there have been changes in the nonsurgical device arena, one being combination therapies to fully address patients’ issues. “There are a lot of nonsurgical solutions that we can use together to help patients – that is a game-changer,” Dr. Evans emphasized.

Ever since platelet-rich plasma (PRP) showed evidence for regenerative purposes, it has been a mainstay in aesthetics and medicine. The O-shot uses PRP to increase vascularization in the clitoris and vagina for improved sensitivity. “It uses the body’s ability to regenerate to help with moisture and mild incontinence,” shared Dr. Evans. In the case of moderate laxity with minor incontinence, EMFEMME 360 can be used with the O-shot to tighten the vagina and outer areas. In addition, some physicians couple the O-shot with Emsella to further strengthen the pelvic floor to improve leaking.

Let’s Not Forget the Males Female sexual health treatments may be seeing an uptick, but men want to remedy their issues, too, which according to Ms. Thiry, are often related to circulation problems. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a lack of sufficient blood flow to the penis and affects men of all ages. Research shows that 40% of men age 40 and 70% of men age 70 suffer from ED. In younger patients with poor circulation or performance anxiety, Ms. Thiry suggests shock wave treatments, which break down the arteries and veins in the penile tissue, so they regrow stronger and more capable of proper blood flow. Some shock wave treatments have shown an extremely high success rate (75%) in treating ED based on more than 100 clinical studies, as have devices that use pulsed acoustic sound waves.

As the sexual health and wellness industry grows, expect new uses of treatments typically reserved for the face and body. For example, Morpheus V8 (microneedling radiofrequency) from InMode is making its way onto other body parts. “It is a new intravaginal microneedling RF device that treats the whole area, including the clitoris, to help with lubrication, incontinence and sensation,” Dr. Hamori revealed. Nano fat is gaining traction, too, according to Dr. Hamori. “Superficially injecting growth factors derived from fat helps with lichen sclerosus and dryness,” she added.