Vagina lasering for postmenopausal women ‘may be placebo’

UK study suggests therapy for dryness, itching and pain should be used with caution, say experts

An expensive laser treatment purporting to help women with postmenopausal vaginal symptoms such as dryness, itching and pain when having sex may be no better than a placebo, research suggests.

According to the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), vaginal laser therapy involves inserting a laser device into the vagina to heat the vaginal wall and create tiny holes or micro-traumas". It has been claimed this stimulates the production of collagen, helping to alleviate postmenopausal vaginal symptoms.