Comparative effects of fractional radiofrequency and microneedling on the genitalia of postmenopausal women: Histological and clinical changes

• Published in: Clinics (São Paulo, Brazil) Vol. 77; p. 100117
• Main Authors: Maia, Rafaella Rêgo, Sarmento, Ayane Cristine, Silva, Rodrigo Marcel Valentim da, Carreiro, Eneida de Morais, Farias, Stephany Luanna Queiroga, Soares, Ciro Dantas, Meyer, Patrícia Froes, Gonçalves, Ana Katherine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier España, S.L.U 01-01-2022; Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina / USP
• Subjects: Flaccidity; MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL; Menopause; Microneedling; Original; Radiofrequency; Microneedling; Radiofrequency; Flaccidity; Menopause
• ISSN: 1807-5932; 1980-5322; 1980-5322
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinsp.2022.100117

•Radiofrequency is effective in flaccidity.•Radiofrequency provokes collagen remodeling.
The authors aimed to evaluate clinical and histological changes induced by Fractional Radiofrequency (FRF) and microneedling in vulvar tissue.
Thirty postmenopausal women were randomly divided into G1 (FRF) and G2 (microneedling) groups. Sub-ablative FRF was executed using disposable fractionated electrodes with an intensity of 8 mJ. Microneedling was performed using a derma roller system. The authors evaluated before and after treatment using the Vaginal Laxity Questionnaire (VLQ), EuroQol Five-Dimensional (EQ-5D) questionnaire, and the Blatt and Kupperman Menopausal Index (BKMI). Additionally, the authors performed biopsies of the labia majora for histological analysis pre- and post-treatment. Data were expressed as mean (± standard deviation). A paired t-test was used for intra-group comparison (pre- and post-treatment), with an independent t-test used to compare intergroup data (both pre- and post-treatment).
In the G1 group, the VLQ values showed differences compared to the pre-treatment values with the data obtained 60 days after the beginning of the sessions (p = 0.01). Similarly, the data changes of the G2 group proved to be significant (p = 0.001) across the same time interval. In comparing the groups, VLQ values were not different (p > 0.05). Regarding histological analysis, FRF demonstrated improvement concerning the number of fibroblasts, blood vessels, and fatty degeneration (p < 0.05) compared to the control. Additionally, FRF and microneedling samples showed higher type III collagen and vimentin expression in the immunohistochemical analysis (p < 0.05).
The therapies were found to be effective in treating the flaccidity of the female external genitalia. Additionally, histological changes were observed after interventions suggesting collagen remodeling.