EFFECTIVENESS OF CO2 MICRO-ABLATIVE VAGINAL LASER THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF RECURRENT CYSTITIS
Italian Archives of Urology and Andrology 2026
The study evaluated the efficacy of micro-ablative CO₂ vaginal laser therapy in the treatment of recurrent cystitis in women. Seventy-five patients were enrolled and divided into two groups: women with bacterial cystitis and a positive urine culture, and women with interstitial cystitis and a negative urine culture. All patients underwent three sessions of dual-wavelength vaginal laser treatment (10,600 nm/1,540 nm). Clinical results were assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) for urinary symptoms, a visual analog scale (VAS) for urinary urgency and incontinence, and the O'Leary-Sant ICSI index for interstitial cystitis.
The results showed a significant reduction in the number of cystitis episodes, associated with a significant improvement in urinary symptoms, with a reduction in urinary urgency and stress urinary incontinence. The treatment was also associated with a high degree of patient satisfaction, exceeding 90%.
From a pathophysiological perspective, the study highlights several pathogenic mechanisms of recurrent cystitis, including estrogen deficiency, which promotes urogenital atrophy and impaired vaginal barrier function; vaginal microbiota dysbiosis, with a reduction in lactobacilli and an increase in uropathogenic bacteria; vaginal and periurethral colonization, which can serve as a reservoir for recurrent urinary tract infections; urothelial changes and bladder inflammation; and, in interstitial cystitis, a possible neuroinflammatory component.
Overall, the results suggest that micro-ablative CO₂ vaginal laser may represent a promising and potentially complementary therapeutic strategy in the treatment of recurrent cystitis, helping to improve urinary symptoms and patients' quality of life.
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