Radiofrequency for Menopause

Menopause is a natural milestone, and often framed as a subtle shift into a new phase of life. But for many women, the reality feels far from subtle. Hot flashes and hormonal changes may get the spotlight, but the more intimate side effects, like vaginal dryness, loss of libido, and changes in body image, can be just as disruptive. Add in the emotional impact, and menopause can start feeling like a nightmare instead of a regular part of life.

Hormone therapy is a common go-to for managing menopause symptoms, but it doesn’t always address everything women are going through. What if the solution also involved cosmetic gynecology? We’ve done our research, we’ve seen the results first-hand, and you’d be surprised at the outcomes.

The Estrogen Cascade

When estrogen levels drop during menopause, it sets off a cascade of changes, many of them in areas most people don’t talk about openly. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) is the medical term for what’s happening alongside the hot flashes and mood swings we commonly associate with “the change.” It includes a range of symptoms like vaginal dryness, itching, burning, pain during sex, urinary urgency, and even incontinence. It can be disruptive, distressing, and even embarrassing.

This isn’t a rare occurrence, either – it’s estimated that up to 45% of menopausal women live with these symptoms, yet only about a quarter seek treatment.1 But the silence doesn’t mean the symptoms are any less severe, and they don’t magically go away – they just go unaddressed, creating a ripple effect that can erode a woman’s sense of self-worth and her quality of life.

What’s causing these not-so-fun extracurricular symptoms? As women progress through menopause, the tissues of the vagina and vulva become thinner, less elastic, and less hydrated. Blood flow decreases. Collagen production slows. All of this contributes to a loss of sensation and flexibility, making intimacy painful and unappealing. For some women, even sitting or walking can cause discomfort.

Hormonal therapy is the gold standard for addressing GSM, but it’s often misunderstood. Unfortunately, a lack of understanding and inadequate follow-up care from the medical community has led to a history of skepticism and poor outcomes. Nearly a quarter of women report little to no improvement in their symptoms, and more than a third say their vaginal tissue still doesn’t feel like it used to.¹

The Radiofrequency Connection

Gaining traction is an alternative therapy that uses radiofrequency (RF) technology. (It can also be used alongside hormone replacement therapies rather than in place of them, especially when hormones aren’t addressing the more intimate undercurrents of menopause.) Unlike ablative lasers that remove tissue to stimulate regrowth, nonablative RF therapy delivers electromagnetic energy just below the surface of the vaginal tissue. This creates a gentle thermal effect that encourages tissue repair by activating fibroblasts and triggers the natural rebuilding of collagen and elastin.

As the tissues heal and strengthen, patients often report improved lubrication, reduced pain, better muscle tone, and fewer urinary symptoms. RF helps restore vaginal health from the inside out.

A small pilot study evaluating intravaginal RF for GSM found that most women experienced noticeable relief from symptoms such as dryness, sexual pain, and urinary dysfunction, with no reported adverse effects. The majority of participants also expressed satisfaction with the treatment outcomes.²

In our practice, we utilize treatments such as Morpheus8V and FormaV, advanced RF technologies that heat the deeper layers of vaginal tissue and therapies you will most often associate with vaginal rejuvenation. This promotes healthy tissue remodeling and increases vaginal sensation, moisture, and pH balance. Patients frequently experience a return of the soft folds and healthy cells that were lost due to estrogen decline. More support in the vaginal walls can also reduce symptoms of stress incontinence. We’re not just patching the cracks, we’re rebuilding the foundation.

What’s especially exciting is that RF offers multiple benefits beyond symptom relief. When vaginal discomfort is no longer a daily concern, it becomes easier to reconnect with intimacy, relationships, and self-confidence. Symptoms like dryness and pain during sex can wear on mental well-being over time, quietly eroding self-worth and pushing women into emotional withdrawal. With the restoration of natural lubrication and tissue tone, sex often becomes enjoyable again. No pain, no avoidance.

While cosmetic gynecology might not sound like a mental health intervention, the relief and renewal it brings often leads to emotional healing as well.

Some patients describe feeling like they’ve regained part of themselves that was lost in the hormonal shuffle. They no longer feel “broken” or “past their prime,” but instead more in control and more vibrant. With improved tissue health and increased comfort, many report an uptick in overall mood and even energy levels.

Sexual health is often treated as a luxury – something to worry about only after the “real” symptoms are managed. But comfort, pleasure, and confidence aren’t extras. They’re part of whole-person wellness, and they deserve equal attention.

That’s the shift radiofrequency therapy helps create. It encourages physical renewal, but also a recalibration of what women are told to expect from their bodies. With advanced treatments and a physician who understands both structure and sensation, there’s space to rewrite the story.

If you’ve been told, or you’re telling yourself, to just “deal with it,” it’s time for a different kind of conversation. You’re not alone, and you’re not out of options. If vaginal discomfort is weighing on your well-being, the team at Aayla Sexual Wellness and Aesthetics is here to help you feel whole again. As a board-certified urologist and cosmetic gynecologist, Dr. Taghechian can help address a wide range of sexual wellness concerns.

References:

1. Kamilos, M. F., Costa, A. P. F., Sarmento, A. C. A., Eleutério, J., Jr, & Gonçalves, A. K. (2021). Microablative Fractional Radiofrequency as a Therapeutical Option for Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: Perspectives. Frontiers in reproductive health, 3, 779421. https://doi.org/10.3389/frph.2021.779421.
2. Pinheiro, C., Costa, T., Amorim de Jesus, R., Campos, R., Brim, R., Teles, A., Vilas Boas, A., & Lordêlo, P. (2021). Intravaginal nonablative radiofrequency in the treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause symptoms: a single-arm pilot study. BMC women’s health, 21(1), 379. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-021-01518-8.