Use of laser and radiofrequency for genitourinary syndrome of menopause: do Brazilian women know it? / Laser e rádio frequência como opções terapêuticas na síndrome geniturinária da menopausa: as mulheres brasileiras conhecem?

Abstract

Objective: to verify how many women between 35 and 69 years old would undergo laser and/or radiofrequency as treatment for genitourinary syndrome of menopause and how many report improvements after having undergone for those procedures. The study also seeks to identify how many women resort to these treatments for aesthetic reasons and how many as genitourinary syndrome of menopause symptom relief. The whole research was done in Brazil. Methods: literature review followed by the formulation of a Google Forms questionnaire that was sent to 339 Brazilian women. Female individuals participated in the research, regardless of race, education, religious belief, or number of children. The collected data was descriptively analyzed; Pearson’s chi-squared test was used when appropriated. Results: 173 responses were obtained, 170 of which were used, and three were excluded due to inconsistencies. Of the 170 respondents, 79 were in menopause, and six already have undergone the mentioned treatments. The main symptoms presented by women in menopause were vaginal dryness (79,7%) and urinary incontinence (51,9%). A minority of the participants reported having knowledge regarding the treatments. Conclusion: Although the treatment effectiveness in improving genitourinary syndrome of menopause, they are not widely known by women. This highlights the need for a greater dissemination of information regarding these therapeutic options.