FDA-Cleared Treatment for Women’s Health now available at St. Joseph Health Medical Group in Santa Rosa

Innovative Laser Procedure, MonaLisa Touch®, Aids Gynecologic Health

The obstetric and gynecologic team of St. Joseph Health Medical Group has added a leading-edge treatment to their Santa Rosa Doyle Park location to resolve gynecologic health issues often caused by menopause or urogenital atrophy. The MonaLisa Touch, an in-office procedure that is virtually painless and requires no anesthesia, received FDA clearance in 2014. St. Joseph Health Medical Group is one of the first OBGYN groups in Sonoma County to offer the special fractional CO2 laser designed to restore vaginal health and help treat symptoms commonly felt by peri and postmenopausal women as well as breast cancer survivors.

In 2010, there were approximately 64 million postmenopausal women and many of them may experience gynecologic health changes when estrogen levels decline. In addition, there are approximately 250,000 breast cancer diagnoses per year – but the disease has a survival rate of nearly 90% at five years. That adds up to a large portion of the population likely suffering in silence from a wide array of gynecologic health concerns; many of which can greatly impact a woman’s quality of life.

Performed in an office environment, without the need for anesthesia and with virtually no pain or side effects, the MonaLisa Touch delivers fractional CO2 laser energy to the vaginal wall tissue, so cells make more collagen. Patients undergo three treatments spaced six weeks apart, and each treatment time is less than five minutes.

“Recent studies show that patients treated with the MonaLisa Touch laser showed highly statistically significant improvement in the vaginal tissue after the first treatment,” says Gregory Sacher, MD, a board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist at St. Joseph Health Medical Group in Santa Rosa. “We are pleased women can now access this important care in a safe environment, close to home.” Prior to the arrival of the MonaLisa in Santa Rosa, women had to travel to San Francisco for this care. “It’s a game-changing procedure for our patients, especially women who are post-menopausal. We are able to safely and effectively treat symptoms such as urinary incontinence, painful intercourse, common vaginal discomforts including burning and itching, and chronic urinary tract infections,” adds Obstetrician and Gynecologist Azra Ayubi, MD. Ayubi, who is highly trained in minimally invasive gynecologic procedures and surgeries, joined St. Joseph Heath Medical Group last year.

For more information on the Cynosure MonaLisa Touch laser, or to schedule an interview with one of our physicians, please call (707) 337-0780.

Obstetric and Gynecologic Team at St. Joseph Health Medical Group, Santa Rosa

Whether giving birth or seeking the best in diagnostic treatment and care for any gynecological need, the St. Joseph Health Medical Group team of passionate and trusted experts is available to help women design a personalized treatment plan. They offer advanced obstetric and gynecolic care including treatment for high-risk pregnancies, menopausal counseling and treatment, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, osteoporosis prevention and treatment, and more. The team is comprised of: Azra Ayubi, MD; Bob Field, MD; Jonathan Kurss, MD; and Gregory Sacher, MD. To make an appointment, please call (707) 303-1719.

Contact: Vanessa deGier (707) 337-0780