Safety, Tolerability and Short-Term Efficacy of Transvaginal Fractional Bipolar Radiofrequency Therapy for Symptoms of Stress and or Mixed Incontinence in conjunction with Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause

Radiofrequency energy has been utilized to treat conditions such as vaginal laxity,
atrophy, and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Contact RF energy heats the mucosal surface of the vagina uniformly to deliver electrothermal energy to the connective tissues in the vaginal wall. This RF energy application stimulates collagen and elastin remodeling to restore the rigidity, elasticity, and moisture of the superficial vaginal mucosa. The limitation of this surface treatment is in the penetration depth of the energy to the vaginal tissue layers. This is the first
study to report on the use of microneedling to deliver RF energy to the vaginal canal similar to what has been used to treat the skin surface of the face, neck, and chest. Microneedling increases the response of the collagen contraction and neocollagenesis in deeper layers of tissue, thus increasing the support to the surface. The novel intravaginal microneedling device used in this study allows penetration of the needles to 1 mm, 2 mm, or 3 mm.