Effect of Single-Session, Cryogen-Cooled Monopolar Radiofrequency Therapy on Sexual Function in Women with Vaginal Laxity: The VIVEVE I Trial.

OBJECTIVE: This subanalysis of the VIVEVE I trial aimed to evaluate the impact of cryogen-cooled monopolar radiofrequency (CMRF) therapy, for the treatment of vaginal laxity, on the domains of sexual function included in the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The VIVEVE I clinical trial was prospective, randomized, single-blind, and Sham-controlled. Nine clinical study centers in Canada, Italy, Spain, and Japan were included. This subanalysis included premenopausal women with self-reported vaginal laxity who had ≥1 term vaginal delivery and a baseline FSFI total score ≤26.5, indicating sexual dysfunction. Enrolled subjects were randomized (2:1) to receive CMRF therapy [Active (90 J/cm2) vs. Sham (≤1 J/cm2)] delivered to the vaginal tissue. Independent analyses were conducted for each FSFI domain to evaluate both the mean change, as well as the clinically important change for Active- versus Sham-treated subjects at 6 months post-intervention. RESULTS: Subjects randomized to Active treatment (n = 73) had greater improvement than Sham subjects (n = 35) on all FSFI domains of sexual function at 6 months postintervention. The analysis of covariance change from baseline analyses showed statistically significant improvements, in favor of Active treatment, for sexual arousal (p = 0.004), lubrication (p = 0.04), and orgasm (p = 0.007). In addition, Active treatment was associated with clinically important and statistically significant improvements in sexual desire [Odds ratio (OR) = 3.01 (1.11-8.17)], arousal [OR = 2.73 (1.06-7.04)], and orgasm [OR = 2.58 (1.08-6.18)]. CONCLUSIONS: This subanalysis showed CMRF therapy is associated with statistically significant and clinically important improvements in sexual function in women with vaginal laxity. These findings provide the first randomized, placebo-controlled energy-based device evidence for functional improvements associated with a nonsurgical modality for a highly prevalent and undertreated condition.

Effect of Single-Treatment, Surface-Cooled Radiofrequency Therapy on Vaginal Laxity and Female Sexual Function: The VIVEVE I Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Vaginal laxity is a highly prevalent and undertreated medical condition. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of surface-cooled, monopolar radiofrequency (RFc) therapy for the treatment of vaginal laxity in the VIVEVE I trial. METHODS: The VIVEVE I trial was a prospective, randomized, single-blinded, and sham-controlled study. Nine study centers in Canada, Italy, Spain, and Japan participated. Women presenting with vaginal laxity were screened and informed consent was obtained. Major study inclusion criteria were premenopausal status, age at least 18 years, at least one full-term vaginal delivery, and normal genito-pelvic examination results. Enrolled subjects were randomized (2:1) to receive RFc therapy (Active [90 J/cm2] vs Sham [1 J/cm2], respectively) delivered to the vaginal tissue. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary efficacy outcome was the proportion of randomized subjects reporting "no vaginal laxity" (Active vs Sham) at 6 months postintervention, which was assessed using the Vaginal Laxity Questionnaire. Treatment-emergent adverse events were evaluated in all treated subjects. Secondary efficacy end points included change on the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the revised Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS-R). RESULTS: No vaginal laxity was achieved by 43.5% and 19.6% (P = .002) in the Active and Sham groups, respectively. Differences in FSFI and FSDS-R total scores (Active vs Sham) were 1.8 (P = .031) and -2.42 (P = .056), respectively, in favor of Active treatment. Treatment-emergent adverse events were reported by 11.1% and 12.3% of subjects in the Active and Sham arms, respectively. CONCLUSION: The VIVEVE I trial is the first randomized, controlled, blinded, clinical study of RFc for the treatment of vaginal laxity. A single treatment of RFc therapy was found to be safe and associated with both improved vaginal laxity and improved sexual function. The results from this trial support the use of a novel non-surgical therapy for vaginal laxity, a prevalent and undertreated condition.