« View all News & Articles

Why Postmenopausal Women Are Exploring Nonhormonal Vaginal Rejuvenation Treatment

Key Takeaways

• Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) affects about half of all postmenopausal women and can lead to dryness, burning, irritation, and discomfort with intimacy.
• Local estrogen is still a standard therapy, but some women can’t take hormones or prefer to avoid them.
• A randomized sham-controlled study in Menopause in 2026 demonstrated that a radiofrequency approach led to improved sexual function and vaginal health scores.
• Our nonhormonal intimate wellness solutions include InMode FormaV, InMode Morpheus8V, InMode VTone and O-Shot® – each one addressing a different concern.
• Results vary, and no energy-based devices are FDA-cleared for vaginal rejuvenation. Every plan starts with a physician evaluation.

Menopause changes far more than the menstrual cycle. As estrogen levels decline, the tissues of the vulva and vagina often become thinner, drier, and less elastic, which can lead to discomfort during intimacy, exercise, and everyday activities. For decades, hormone-based therapy has been the primary medical approach to these changes. Today, nonhormonal vaginal rejuvenation treatment is drawing growing attention in women’s health, supported by a body of clinical research that has expanded considerably in recent years.

At Sylvana Medical & Aesthetics, Dr. Jeanne O’Connell, MD, reviews each patient’s history, symptoms, and goals before recommending any intimate wellness service. Some women have a history of hormone-sensitive cancer, some have clotting concerns, and others simply prefer to limit hormone exposure. Whatever the reason, we believe women deserve clear, honest information about what nonhormonal options can and cannot do.

The Changes Menopause Brings to Vaginal Tissue

Estrogen improves blood flow, increases moisture and collagen in the vaginal walls. As levels go down, tissue often becomes thinner and loses its natural lubricity, and the vaginal environment may change in ways that make irritation and urinary symptoms more common. Clinicians now refer to these changes as genitourinary syndrome of menopause, or GSM. The term replaced the old term “vulvovaginal atrophy,” because the bladder and urethra are often affected too.

Common symptoms of GSM include:

• Vaginal burning, itching, or dryness
• Pain/discomfort with sex
• Urgency, frequency or incontinence of urine
• A feeling of slackness or lack of tone

Hot flashes are often temporary, but GSM usually gets worse over time. Often symptoms persist or worsen without intervention, which is one reason we encourage women not to dismiss them as something they simply have to accept.

Local estrogen therapy is a known treatment for GSM. Hormones might not be for everyone. Women with a personal history of breast or endometrial cancer, some clotting disorders or other medical issues may be advised to avoid or limit them. Others have tried estrogen creams and found the regimen a drag. Lubricants and moisturizers can relieve symptoms temporarily but do not treat the underlying changes in tissue quality. Nonhormonal regenerative approaches have attracted attention in that gap. 

Where Energy-Based Options Fit in a Nonhormonal Plan

Radiofrequency (RF) devices deliver controlled heat to tissue. Researchers believe that gently raising tissue temperature may stimulate collagen remodeling, increase blood flow, and support the body’s natural repair processes. Because the mechanism is thermal rather than hormonal, RF is being studied as an option for women who want to avoid estrogen.

The evidence has grown in recent years. In February 2026, the journal Menopause published a randomized, sham-controlled trial from the University of Castilla-La Mancha in Spain involving 62 postmenopausal women with GSM. Women who received six weekly sessions of capacitive-resistive monopolar radiofrequency showed significantly greater improvements in Female Sexual Function Index and Vaginal Health Index scores than the sham group, and those gains persisted at the 12-week follow-up. The researchers reported no adverse events and no changes in systemic estrogen levels. This study used a different RF technology than the devices we offer, and larger long-term trials are still needed. Even so, findings like these help explain why interest in nonhormonal vaginal rejuvenation treatment continues to rise among physicians and patients alike.

Our intimate wellness services use advanced InMode technology, with each device designed to address a different aspect of vaginal and pelvic health:

• Radiofrequency-based options deliver gentle, controlled heat to vaginal and vulvar tissue and may support improved moisture, comfort, and tissue quality.
• Muscle stimulation options target the pelvic floor and may support bladder control when used alongside pelvic floor exercises.

Because dryness, laxity, and leakage involve different tissue layers, a combination of approaches is often more beneficial than a single device. Every woman’s body responds differently, so we tailor each plan to the individual rather than relying on a single approach. 

Regenerative options continue to be studied for their role in sexual wellness, and while current research is encouraging, individual outcomes vary, and no treatment can guarantee a specific result. Energy-based devices have not been cleared by the FDA specifically for vaginal rejuvenation, which is why a thorough physician evaluation comes first. 

During a discussion about a vaginal rejuvenation treatment, we review the current evidence, possible side effects, such as temporary redness, swelling or tenderness, and realistic expectations for her situation. Candidacy also depends on health-related factors. Active infection, pregnancy, some implanted devices and some medical conditions may contraindicate treatment or require clearance from another specialist first. Women with a history of cancer should also consult their oncology team. 

Nonhormonal Intimate Wellness Options at a Glance

Postmenopausal women have more choices than they once did, and hormones are no longer the only path worth discussing. Nonhormonal approaches are supported by a growing, though still developing, body of research, and they give women who cannot or prefer not to use estrogen a reason to revisit symptoms they may have lived with for years.

If dryness, discomfort, or bladder changes are affecting your quality of life, we welcome a conversation. Dr. O’Connell and our team can review your health history and help determine whether nonhormonal vaginal rejuvenation treatment, hormone therapy, or a thoughtful combination suits your needs. Contact Sylvana Medical & Aesthetics in Frederick to schedule a consultation. 

References: 

“FDA Warns Against Use of Energy-Based Devices to Perform Vaginal ‘Rejuvenation’ or Vaginal Cosmetic Procedures: FDA Safety Communication.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 30 July 2018, www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications.

Palucci, Mariachiara, et al. “Efficacy of Non-Invasive Monopolar Radiofrequency for Treating Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: A Prospective Pilot Study.” Clinics and Practice, vol. 15, no. 8, 2025, p. 155, doi:10.3390/clinpract15080155.

Portman, David J., and Margery L. S. Gass. “Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: New Terminology for Vulvovaginal Atrophy from the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health and the North American Menopause Society.” Menopause, vol. 21, no. 10, 2014, pp. 1063-68, doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000000329.

Quezada-Bascuñán, Claudia Andrea, et al. “Efficacy of Nonablative Radiofrequency on Sexual Function in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” Menopause, published online 10 Feb. 2026.

“Radiofrequency Therapy Could Improve Vaginal, Sexual Health Function.” Contemporary OB/GYN, 16 Mar. 2026, www.contemporaryobgyn.net/view/radiofrequency-therapy-could-improve-vaginal-sexual-health-function.