Vulvovaginal atrophy management with a laser: the placebo effect or the conditioning Pavlov reflex

Abstract

Postmenopausal vulvovaginal pain and atrophy require appropriate and sensitive outcomes that correlate with the genital discomfort, symptoms and expected changes. In some studies, hormone and laser treatments do not detect benefits due to the fact that appropriate measuring tools were not used. While some studies have demonstrated placebo effects for both therapeutic approaches, others support that sham-intervention could be a therapeutic by creating a conditioning reflex. However, obtained results are directly related with the quality of outcomes: you get what you measure. It is imperative to follow the Core Outcomes in Menopause global initiative.

摘要

绝经后阴道疼痛和萎缩需要与生殖器不适、症状和预期变化相关的适当且敏感的评估结果。在一些研究中, 由于没有采用适当的评估工具, 没有检测到激素和激光治疗的益处。然而一些研究已经表明这两种治疗方法的安慰剂效应, 其他研究支持假干预可能是一种治疗方法, 因为产生了条件反射。然而, 获得的结论与评估结果的质量直接相关：你得到你评估的东西。遵循绝经全球共识声明的核心成果势在必行。

Keywords:

• Carbon dioxide laser
• dyspareunia
• estrogen
• female sexual function
• genitourinary syndrome of menopause
• meta-analysis
• vulvovaginal atrophy

Potential conflict of interest

The author reports no conflicts of interest.

Source of funding

Nil.