DiVa vaginal rejuvenation is an incredibly popular, effective laser-based treatment for womens’ intimate wellness that reduces dryness, urinary urgency and incontinence, decreases bladder infections, and improves vaginal sensation. The DiVa laser uses two types of laser technology; ablative (removes tissue) and non-ablative (does not remove tissue). This is also known as Hybrid Fractional Laser (HFL) technology. HFL resurfaces and replenishes vaginal tissue, restoring your confidence and wellbeing.
At Swan Medical, we believe it is your right to lead a happy, fulfilled life well into your golden years. That’s why we offer DiVa vaginal rejuvenation at our Los Gatos clinic. Dr. Peter Castillo is an expert in female intimate wellness and has served his patients as a double boarded urogynecologist in California for many years. He has dedicated his professional life to helping women meet their personal health needs, providing a better quality of life and sexual fulfillment for hundreds of patients. If you would like to learn more about how DiVa laser treatment can help you, please contact us at (925) 905-9922 or complete a quick, confidential inquiry form on our website. We are here to provide you with medical services to help you feel comfortable and confident!
Contents
Comfort & Reliability with DiVa
Older women face many gender-specific health problems, none of which should be brushed aside as unimportant. As we age, many changes occur in our bodies that we may feel like we have little to no control over. Unfortunately, these conditions are rarely discussed or provided the necessary medical support and resources due to patient embarrassment and insufficient training in medical school.
Studies have shown that, by 53 years of age, the prevalence of vaginal dryness can increase by up to 34%. (1) These symptoms are triggered by a sharp decrease in hormones and a thinning of vaginal tissues during and after menopause. Similarly, urinary incontinence, has been proven to have a significant impact on sexual function. (2) Unfortunately, the effects of age can lead to painful intercourse, recurrent bladder infections and a subsequent avoidance or lack of interest in sexual behavior, and feelings of insecurity and discomfort.
Laser vaginal rejuvenation encompasses medical treatments for functional women’s health issues including but not limited to; genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), sexual dysfunction, vaginal laxity, urinary tract infections and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). (3) DiVa is a great choice for women who have experienced/experience the following:
- Vaginal Dryness
- Urinary tract infections
- Urinary incontinence
- Vaginal Pain
DiVa HFL technology can provide customizable treatments to patients with precise accuracy that minimizes discomfort. The precise automated control system and single-use handpiece attachments also ensure the procedure is both consistent and safe for every patient.
In-Depth Women’s Health: GSM, SUI, & Vaginal Laxity
Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)
GSM is an umbrella term for a number of menopause-related conditions including vulvovaginal atrophy ( also known as atrophic vaginitis; thinning, drying and inflammation of the vaginal walls) and urogenital atrophy (disorders that affect the urinary tract).
Not just menopause. Women using long standing birth control or long periods of breastfeeding can have similar effects in the vagina as a menopausal women.
These conditions can have a negative effect on one’s romantic, and non-romantic life, affecting our libido, our relationship with our partners, and our general mood.
Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI)
SUI is the leaking of urine when we cough, sneeze, or laugh. The prevalence of urinary incontinence in women between the ages of 30–90 years old is 45%, with most women reporting SUI as the main component. (3) This can leave us in embarrassing situations in public and can also be a sensitive topic to bring up with our primary care providers.
Vaginal Laxity
Vaginal laxity results from dysfunction in the pelvic floor muscles, but also from changes in skin sensitivity which can make the vaginal walls feel “loose”. In one study, 24% of participants experienced symptoms of vaginal laxity. (4) Symptoms such as these can seriously impact our body image and intimate relations.
Thankfully, modern medicine is more in-tune with the needs of mature women than ever before. With unique female-focused services, we at Swan Medical are proud to serve the residents of Los Gatos, San Jose, San Francisco, Davis, and farther afield. To book a personalized DiVa consultation with Dr. Castillo, please contact us at (925) 905-9922 to take your first step on the road to better intimate wellness!
Benefits of DiVa Treatment
- Pain-Free Intercourse
- Solves Urinary Incontinence
- Reduces UTI Infections
- Diminishes Vaginal Laxity
- Increases Sensation
- Aids Sexual Confidence
- Better Quality of Life
Real Results for Women
The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire is a way to collect data about women’s sexual health. It has been used to assess the success rates of DiVa treatment in real patients. It asks patients to rate improvements in these areas:
- Desire
- Arousal
- Lubrication
- Orgasm
- Satisfaction
- Pain
- Overall Satisfaction
Research has shown that DiVa demonstrated significant improvements in all areas, between 44% and 164%. (5) These results clearly show that patients benefit greatly from improvements in sexual function, vaginal health, and overll quality of life.
Candidates
If you have had one or more vaginal births in your lifetime, are experiencing menopause and post-menopause symptoms, have had a hysterectomy, or have frequent issues with urinary incontinence, a DiVa vaginal rejuvenation procedure could be the ideal solution for you.
Intimate rejuvenation is unsuitable for patients with active infections (yeast infections, or untreated STDs) or during pregnancy.
For Intimate Wellness Services, Hormone Replacement Services, and more, place your trust in the experts at Swan Medical for top-quality, discreet women’s health treatments in the Bay Area.
Personal Consultation with Dr. Castillo
As an expert in women’s urogynecological health for many years, Dr. Castillo is a compassionate provider who is sensitive to the nature of the patient requests he receives. Please do not feel ashamed or embarrassed about an honest wellness check at your pre-treatment consultation. We are here to help you lead a more fulfilling life, and you will always be treated in a dignified manner by doctors and staff alike at Swan Medical.
At your individual consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss delicate personal issues in a safe, private environment. Dr. Castillo’s medical assistant (MA) will take your vitals, record your weight, and bring you to the examination room. The MA will ask you to complete a new patient questionnaire. He will perform a pelvic examination and may ask you about intimate symptoms such as problems with intercourse and incontinence. Once the examination is complete and the necessary paperwork is prepared, he will schedule a date for your DiVa rejuvenation procedure.
Find out more about what to expect at your personal consultation by reading the information provided on our “First Visit” page.
Preparing for Surgery
General Considerations
We advise patients to stop smoking a few weeks before their procedure to promote tissue healing, and caution patients to avoid taking aspirin or similar blood-thinning medications. Please arrive at your appointment well-hydrated and refreshed after a good night’s sleep.
Traveling to Los Gatos
You do not require a ride home and will be able to resume normal daily activities with the exception of avoiding sex for two days. Swan Medical is conveniently located within reach of three international airports, including San Jose International (SJC, 10 minutes away), San Francisco (SFO, 40 minutes away), and Oakland International (OAK, 45 minutes away). For patients with specific travel needs, a $500 credit is available for those traveling further than 100 miles for treatment.
The DiVa Procedure
Laser vaginal rejuvenation incorporates both ablative and non-ablative lasers that work together to achieve individualized results for each patient. The DiVa system is a specially designed, motorized device that delivers precise, effective results. It employs a one-time use Strengthened Quartz Dilator (SQD) that flattens the vaginal tissues gently and uniformly. In the first stage of treatment, Dr. Castillo will deeply resurface the vaginal wall, which uncovers healthy new tissue. Next, he will direct heat from the second laser to the treated area, stimulating collagen production in the layers of tissue. Collagen is an important naturally occurring protein in the body that revitalizes and strengthens tissues.
The actual treatment time for DiVa laser vaginal rejuvenation is 3-5 minutes however the patient will be numbed for 20 minutes using a topical numbing cream. Every patient is different, so the number of treatment sessions will vary. In most cases, 3 procedures spaced 4 weeks apart, and single maintenance treatments every 10-12 months are recommended to maintain vaginal health. Most patients don’t find laser treatment to be uncomfortable with an average discomfort score of 1-2 out of 10 due to the topical anesthetic.
Cost
The cost of your vaginal rejuvenation treatment will vary according to your own specific circumstances. You will have the opportunity to discuss your personalized treatment plan at your consultation with Dr. Castillo. See what our patients are saying about their experience at Swan Medical!
FAQ
Why is sex painful for me?
There are many underlying reasons that sex could be painful for you. The best course of action is to speak to a licensed obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) doctor to discuss your symptoms and find out more treatment information. If you are experiencing menopause, or are post-menopausal, vaginal dryness may be one reason why intercourse is uncomfortable. A vaginal rejuvenation procedure could help resolve these issues, so it may be beneficial to seek this form of medical treatment.
What is vaginal atrophy?
Vaginal atrophy was a medical term that is now incorporated under the umbrella term “genitourinary syndrome of menopause,” or GSM. Symptoms of GSM include, but are not limited to: genital dryness, pain during intercourse, decreased arousal/desire, irritation of the vulva and/or vagina, and urinary urgency. If you have concerns about your intimate health, seek prompt advice from a medical professional.
Who can perform vaginal rejuvenation?
Aesthetic and medical intimate procedures of the vulva and vagina should be performed by a licensed doctor who specializes in urogynecology, genital cosmetic surgery, or plastic surgery.
References
- Ambler, D. R., Bieber, E. J., & Diamond, M. P. (2012). Sexual Function in Elderly Women: A Review of Current Literature. Reviews in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 5(1), 16–27. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3349920/
- Tran, L. N., & Puckett, Y. (2020). Urinary Incontinence. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559095/
- Bujnak, A., Crowder, C. A., & Krychman, M. L. (2021). Energy-Based Devices for Functional Vaginal Problems: Issues and Answers. Current Sexual Health Reports, 13(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-021-00302-x
- Dietz, H. P., Stankiewicz, M., Atan, I. K., Ferreira, C. W., & Socha, M. (2018). Vaginal laxity: what does this symptom mean? International Urogynecology Journal, 29(5), 723–728. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-017-3426-0
- Guerrette N., Peet J., Castillo P., Coyle M., Kennely, M., Stepp K. (2018). Safety and efficacy of Hybrid Fractional Laser (1470 and 2940nm) for symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause: Prospective multi-center study: 3 and 6 month interim analysis. North American Menopause Society Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA https://www.jmig.org/article/S1553-4650(19)31086-6/pdf