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MonaLisa Touch® For Sjögren’s syndrome
MonaLisa Touch® vaginal laser therapy for women with Sjögren’s syndrome
Living with Sjögren’s syndrome can be exhausting. When it also causes vaginal dryness and pain with intimacy, it can affect every part of life, including self confidence, relationships and enjoyment of sex.
At Clarendon Health, our MonaLisa Touch® vaginal laser service is designed to support women who are struggling with dryness, burning and pain during intercourse, including those with autoimmune conditions such as Sjögren’s syndrome. It is a non hormonal treatment that aims to improve the quality of the vaginal tissue and restore comfort.
How Sjögren’s syndrome can affect your vagina and sex life
Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the glands responsible for moisture. This includes the glands that support natural lubrication in the vagina and vulva, which can lead to:
- Persistent vaginal dryness and burning
- Soreness or splitting of the vulval skin
- Pain with penetration
- Bleeding after sex
- Recurrent irritation or infections
Many women describe the tissue as “paper thin” or “sandpaper like”. The dryness is real, not imagined, and can make intimacy distressing. It is common to avoid sex, which may affect emotional wellbeing and relationships.
Treatments you may already have tried
Guidelines for Sjögren’s related vaginal dryness usually recommend:
- Regular vaginal moisturisers – non hormonal gels used several times per week to keep the tissue hydrated.
- Lubricants for sex – water based or silicone based products to reduce friction during intercourse or with dilators.
- Topical oestrogen (if suitable) – low dose local oestrogen can improve thinning, dryness and pain, although not everyone can use it.
- Pelvic floor physiotherapy or dilators – helpful when muscles tighten in response to pain.
Many women find some relief. Others, despite doing everything right, continue to experience pain. This is when regenerative treatments such as MonaLisa Touch may be considered.
What is MonaLisa Touch® vaginal laser therapy?
MonaLisa Touch® is a fractional CO₂ laser treatment for the vagina and vulva. It delivers controlled micro pulses of energy to the vaginal lining to:
- Stimulate new collagen and elastin
- Improve blood flow
- Encourage natural lubrication
- Support a thicker, healthier vaginal lining
It is a local, non hormonal treatment and typically a walk in, walk out procedure.
Although most research has focused on menopause and breast cancer survivors, fractional CO₂ vaginal lasers are increasingly used for dryness, burning and discomfort. Many women report improvement in vaginal health and sexual comfort, although laser therapy remains a developing field and may not suit everyone.
How MonaLisa Touch® may help with Sjögren’s
In Sjögren’s syndrome, dryness is combined with changes in tissue structure and resilience. By targeting the vaginal lining, MonaLisa Touch aims to:
- Improve tissue quality and thickness
- Reduce dryness, burning and irritation
- Make penetration more comfortable and reduce micro tearing
- Support natural moisture production
- Enhance sexual comfort and confidence
Many women value being able to enjoy intimacy again or tolerate smear tests without severe pain.
MonaLisa Touch works best alongside good home care such as moisturisers, lubricants and pelvic floor support.
What to expect from treatment
Before your first session
Your consultation includes:
- Reviewing your Sjögren’s history and overall health
- Discussing treatments you have tried
- Confirming suitability for laser treatment
- Examining the vulva and vagina if appropriate
- Agreeing a personalised treatment plan
You will have time to ask questions and consider your options.
During the procedure
- You are positioned similarly to a smear test.
- A slim probe delivers gentle laser pulses as it is rotated and withdrawn.
- Sensations are usually warmth and light tapping, sometimes brief stinging in very dry areas.
- Treatment takes around ten to fifteen minutes.
Most women return to normal daily activities the same day.
Aftercare and Recovery
Typical advice includes:
- Expecting some mild warmth, swelling, or watery discharge for a few days
- Avoiding intercourse, tampons, swimming and very hot baths briefly
- Continuing your usual moisturisers or other prescribed vaginal treatments, unless advised otherwise
Treatment usually involves three sessions, four to six weeks apart, with annual top ups if needed.
Safety, side effects and limitations
Potential side effects include:
- Temporary redness or swelling
- Light bleeding or spotting
- Short-term discomfort or burning
- Very rarely, infection, scarring or worsening pain
Some studies show promising improvements, while others suggest benefits may be more modest. This is why clear discussion about both the evidence and uncertainties is essential.
MonaLisa Touch is not suitable if you:
- Are pregnant or trying to conceive
- Have an active vaginal or pelvic infection
- Have unexplained bleeding
- Have conditions requiring further gynaecological investigation
If you have had gynaecological cancer or take immunosuppressive treatments, we will consult your wider medical team.
Is MonaLisa Touch® right For you
It may be suitable if:
- You have persistent dryness, burning or pain
- Sex, smear tests or tampon use are difficult
- Moisturisers, lubricants or topical oestrogen have not helped enough
- You prefer a non hormonal option
Responses vary. Some women notice significant improvement, others more modest change. Pain can also relate to pelvic floor spasm, anxiety or relationship factors, so a combined approach may be needed.
Your consultation at Clarendon Health
During your consultation we will:
- Listen how Sjögren’s is affecting your daily life and relationships
- Review your current medications, including rheumatology treatments
- Assess vulval and vaginal health
- Explain all treatment options, including non laser choices
- Discuss benefits, risks and uncertainties clearly
- Provide written information to take away
There is no pressure to proceed. The aim is to help you make an informed decision.
Frequently asked questions
Will MonaLisa Touch affect my Sjögren’s syndrome overall?
No. The treatment works locally on the vaginal tissue..
Can I continue using my moisturisers or topical treatments?
In most cases, yes. We will advise you individually
When can I have sex again?
Usually after a few days, depending on how the tissue looks after treatment.
How long do results last?
Many women notice improvement after one or two sessions. Benefits often last around twelve months, which is why annual top ups are recommended.
Is this available on the NHS?
Vaginal laser treatments are not widely available on the NHS and are usually self funded.
References
Fractional CO2 Laser for Treatment of Vulvovaginal Atrophy: A Short Time Follow-up :
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7865202
Caring for Women Living With Sjögren’s Syndrome:
https://www.jognn.org/article/S0884-2175(15)34103-4/abstract?
Management of Vaginal Dryness in Sjögren’s:
https://academic.oup.com/book/41892/chapter-abstract/354734681?redirectedFrom=fulltext
Ready to talk?
If Sjögren’s related vaginal dryness and pain are affecting your quality of life, you do not have to struggle in silence.
To find out whether MonaLisa Touch could be part of your treatment plan, please contact our team to arrange a consultation.
We are here to provide kind, respectful and evidence informed care, so that you can feel more comfortable in your own body and more confident in your intimate life.