Authors
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Introdução
A Síndrome Genito-Urinária da Menopausa é o nome dado ao conjunto de sinais e sintomas da vulva, vagina e trato urinário decorrentes das alterações hormonais comuns na pós-menopausa e que, quando não tratados, podem progredir e afetar de forma negativa a qualidade de vida e a função sexual das mulheres. De entre as alternativas terapêuticas para esses sintomas destaca-se a terapia com Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (LASER), que tem mostrado relevância crescente como tratamento não hormonal nestas situações. Este é normalmente bem tolerado e pode aliviar os sintomas mais comuns da síndrome, embora a segurança da exposição repetida e a duração dos seus efeitos terapêuticos ainda não seja clara.
Objetivos
Com esta dissertação procurou-se compreender e contextualizar a síndrome genito-urinária da menopausa e avaliar a evidência científica e as recomendações internacionais sobre a eficácia e a segurança do uso do Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (LASER) para o tratamento desta síndrome.
Metodologia
Para a elaboração desta revisão bibliográfica foi realizada, no período de setembro de 2018 a maio de 2019, uma análise sistemática de um conjunto de artigos científicos e de revisão publicados na plataforma online PubMed, utilizando os termos de pesquisa “Síndrome Genito-Urinária da Menopausa”, “Atrofia Vulvovaginal”, “Sintomas pós-menopausa”, “Tratamento LASER” e “LASER CO2”. Adicionalmente, foram consultados comunicados, pareceres e recomendações nacionais e internacionais de entidades de relevo na área.
Conclusão
De acordo com a evidência científica disponível, o uso de terapias com Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (LASER) na síndrome genito-urinária da menopausa apresenta-se como uma alternativa terapêutica viável, em especial nos casos de sintomatologia moderada a severa, refratária a quaisquer outras opções de tratamento ou de difícil alívio com as medidas de alteração de estilo de vida, hidratantes e terapias tópicas. No entanto, e por todas as suas limitações, o nível de evidência ainda não é considerado robusto o suficiente para permitir recomendações definitivas para o seu uso na prática clínica corrente; são necessários estudos controlados e randomizados adicionais para confirmar e evidenciar de forma sólida a sua eficácia e segurança a longo prazo.
Introduction Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause is the given name to the set of signs and symptoms of the vulva, vagina and urinary tract resulting from the common postmenopausal hormonal changes which, when left untreated, can progress and negatively affect the quality of life and the sexual function of women. Among the therapeutic alternatives for these symptoms, it is worth mentioning the therapy with Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (LASER), which has shown increasing relevance as a non-hormonal treatment in these situations. It is usually well tolerated and may relieve the most common symptoms of the syndrome, although the safety of repeated exposure and the duration of its therapeutic effects is not clear yet. Goals This dissertation aimed to understand and contextualize genitourinary syndrome of menopause and to evaluate the scientific evidence and international recommendations on the efficacy and safety of the use of LASER for the treatment of this syndrome. Methods In this review, a systematic analysis of scientific and review articles published in the online PubMed platform was carried out from September 2018 to May 2019 using the terms “Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause”, “Vulvovaginal Atrophy”, “Postmenopausal Symptoms”, “LASER Treatment” and “CO2 LASER”. Additionally, communications, warnings and recommendations from leading societies in their fields were consulted. Conclusion According to the available scientific evidence, the use of LASER therapies in the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause is a viable therapeutic alternative, especially in the cases of moderate to severe symptomatology, refractory to any other treatment options or difficult relief with lifestyle modification measures, moisturizers and local therapies. However, because of all its limitations, the level of evidence is still not considered strong enough to allow definitive recommendations for its use in current clinical practice; additional controlled and randomized studies are required to confirm and solidly demonstrate long-term efficacy and safety.
Introduction Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause is the given name to the set of signs and symptoms of the vulva, vagina and urinary tract resulting from the common postmenopausal hormonal changes which, when left untreated, can progress and negatively affect the quality of life and the sexual function of women. Among the therapeutic alternatives for these symptoms, it is worth mentioning the therapy with Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (LASER), which has shown increasing relevance as a non-hormonal treatment in these situations. It is usually well tolerated and may relieve the most common symptoms of the syndrome, although the safety of repeated exposure and the duration of its therapeutic effects is not clear yet. Goals This dissertation aimed to understand and contextualize genitourinary syndrome of menopause and to evaluate the scientific evidence and international recommendations on the efficacy and safety of the use of LASER for the treatment of this syndrome. Methods In this review, a systematic analysis of scientific and review articles published in the online PubMed platform was carried out from September 2018 to May 2019 using the terms “Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause”, “Vulvovaginal Atrophy”, “Postmenopausal Symptoms”, “LASER Treatment” and “CO2 LASER”. Additionally, communications, warnings and recommendations from leading societies in their fields were consulted. Conclusion According to the available scientific evidence, the use of LASER therapies in the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause is a viable therapeutic alternative, especially in the cases of moderate to severe symptomatology, refractory to any other treatment options or difficult relief with lifestyle modification measures, moisturizers and local therapies. However, because of all its limitations, the level of evidence is still not considered strong enough to allow definitive recommendations for its use in current clinical practice; additional controlled and randomized studies are required to confirm and solidly demonstrate long-term efficacy and safety.
Description
Keywords
Atrofia Vulvovaginal Laser Co2 Síndrome Genito-Urinária da Menopausa Sintomas Pós-Menopausa Tratamento Laser