The team at 8 West Clinic is, at our core, a supporter of women. We see the importance of women looking and feeling their best, the value of treating all conditions that affect your health and offering treatments that are rewarding in all aspects of your life. Especially if it isn't something you feel comfortable talking about. We want to break those barriers of stigma surrounding women's sexual health. From painful intercourse to incontinence, to ageing and life events - like childbirth - they all impact your vaginal health. This can mean you are feeling pain, discomfort, lack of sensation or lack of control.
New Treatment Options for Vaginal Health
''As far as medical research goes, women's sexual health historically gets little attention,'' said Dr. Thomas Buonassisi, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon and 8 West Clinic Founder. ''It's an unfortunate reality of medical history. Many of the treatments focused on hormones that were ineffective for some women and unwanted by others. As new technologies are being developed, we have new generations of researchers advocating for women. ''With lasers successfully treating skin conditions for more than two decades, those treatments are being evaluated for vaginal care,'' he said. This has lead 8 West Clinic to be the only clinic in Vancouver to offer the DiVa Laser Vaginal Therapy. ''It's a very effective treatment for vaginal dryness, urinary incontinence and discomfort during sexual intercourse,'' said Dr. Buonassisi. ''There is no down time from this treatment, there is no surgery and there are no medications needed. It can be performed in the clinic in as little as eight to ten minutes.''
How diVa Laser Therapy Works
''Women deal with this everyday and we don't talk about it enough and I feel we need to,'' said Amanda Massey, an 8 West Clinic DiVa Laser Therapy patient. ''There is no 'I will wait a minute' to go to the bathroom when I am on a run or playing with my kids and laughing too hard. I was surprised I actually noticed a difference right after my first treatment.'' The DiVa Vaginal Therapy is a series, typically three, of progressive treatments. The procedure begins with the application of a topical anesthetic. After 20-30 minutes, an enrobed laser is inserted into the vagina for about five minutes.
''The DiVa Laser has a number of innovations that lead to better patient health,'' said Dr. Buonassisi. ''The laser is covered with a protective film which means it never comes in contact with a patient's skin and is completely sterile. The DiVa is also fully automated. The laser rotates and retracts itself - leading to better distribution of energy and a more comfortable experience for patients.
''The process works as the laser creates micro-wounds within the vaginal wall which encourages the body to heal itself. This promotes the growth of more collagen, new blood vessels, nerves and a new epithelium layer - which in the vagina produces moisture,'' he said.
In the News
diVa has recently received an approved clearance from Health Canada for the indication of GSM (genitourinary syndrome of menopause) for peri- and postmenopausal women - the only device in Canada with this indication. diVa was also just awarded RealSelf's "Most Worth It" award with 100% patient satisfaction.
Patients can head out the door and carry on with their day, returning for additional appointments about one month after the initial treatment. Patients typically feel a tightening of the vaginal canal, and with ongoing treatments improvement with incontinence and dryness, as well as a reduction in pain during intercourse.
''The DiVa is amazing and so are the staff here,'' said Massey.
The staff at 8 West Clinic will take the time to listen to your sexual health concerns and walk you through the DiVa Laser Vaginal Therapy. Request your complimentary consultation, it is completely confidential and they will answer your questions and discuss if this, or another procedure is suitable for your specific type of concerns.
