Laser versus sham for genitourinary syndrome of menopause: A randomised controlled trial

To assess whether CO₂ laser treatment is more effective than sham application in relieving the most bothersome symptom (MBS) in women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).

Single-centre, sham-controlled, double-blind, randomised trial.

A tertiary centre in Belgium.

Sixty women with moderate to severe GSM symptoms.

All participants eventually received three consecutive laser and three consecutive sham applications, either first laser followed by sham, or conversely.

The primary outcome was the participant-reported change in severity of the MBS at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included subjective (patient satisfaction, sexual function, urinary function) and objective (pH, Vaginal Health Index Score, in vivo microscopy) measurements assessing the short-term effect and the longevity of treatment effects at 18 months after start of the therapy. Adverse events were reported at every visit.

The MBS severity score decreased from 2.86 ± 0.35 to 2.17 ± 0.93 (-23.60%; 95% CI -36.10% to -11.10%) in women treated with laser compared with 2.90 ± 0.31 to 2.52 ± 0.78 (-13.20%; 95% CI -22.70% to -3.73%) in those receiving sham applications (p = 0.13). There were no serious adverse events reported up to 18 months.

In women with GSM, the treatment response 12 weeks after laser application was comparable to that of sham applications. There were no obvious differences for secondary outcomes and no serious adverse events were reported.