Vaginal electroporation, the new frontier for intimate health

Vaginal electroporation, the new frontier for intimate health. Women’s intimate health evolves throughout life and can be affected by many factors, such as menopause, childbirth, breastfeeding, cancer therapies, hormonal changes and natural aging. In many women these conditions come with symptoms that are often underestimated but can deeply affect daily well-being and quality of life.

Vaginal dryness, burning, itching, pain during sexual intercourse and mild urinary incontinence are not just a physical discomfort, but can also undermine psychological peace of mind, life as a couple and personal confidence.

In recent years, gynecologic medicine has developed increasingly less invasive technologies to address these problems. Among the most innovative solutions is vaginal electroporation, a method that helps the tissues recover their physiological state without surgery, without needles and without anesthesia.

At SISMeR of the NefroCenter Group SANTEC EV Plus is available, one of the most advanced vaginal electroporation systems currently available, designed to offer personalized, fast and well-tolerated treatments.

What vaginal electroporation is

Vaginal electroporation is a non-invasive medical technology that uses controlled electrical pulses to temporarily change the permeability of cell membranes.

During the treatment, microscopic temporary channels form, called electropores, which allow the active ingredients applied locally to cross the cell membrane and reach the deeper layers of the vaginal mucosa.

This is a physical principle that has been widely studied in medicine and biotechnology and that allows functional substances to be distributed much more effectively than with ordinary topical applications.

Creams and gels, in fact, tend to stay in the most superficial layers of the mucosa. With electroporation, on the other hand, the active ingredients can be delivered more evenly and more deeply, producing a targeted action without injections or invasive procedures.

This feature makes electroporation one of the most interesting technologies in the treatment of urogynecologic disorders.

How the SANTEC EV Plus system works

Among the latest-generation devices dedicated to gynecologic regenerative medicine, SANTEC EV Plus stands out, a device that uses a proprietary Dynamic Electroporation (EPV®) technology.

The system generates extremely fast, perfectly calibrated electrical pulses that make it possible to:

• temporarily increase the permeability of cells;
• promote the penetration of active ingredients;
• avoid electrolysis;
• ensure a gentle, well-tolerated treatment.

A further strength is the use of patented single-use handpieces, which ensure high standards of safety and hygiene and make it possible to use only the amount of product needed for each session, avoiding unnecessary waste.

The whole treatment lasts on average about 15 minutes and is personalized according to the patient’s clinical characteristics and the therapeutic goals set by the gynecologist.

When vaginal electroporation is indicated

Vaginal electroporation is today a valid therapeutic support in many gynecologic and urogynecologic conditions, especially when the goal is to improve the quality of the tissues and reduce symptoms without resorting to invasive treatments.

The main indications include:

• vaginal atrophy;
• vaginal dryness;
• pain during sexual intercourse;
• vulvodynia;
• vestibulodynia;
• mild urinary incontinence;
• persistent itching and irritation.

Of course, it will always be the gynecologist, after a specialist examination, who evaluates whether this method is the most appropriate solution for each individual patient.

Vaginal electroporation and vaginal atrophy

Vaginal atrophy is one of the most common conditions after menopause.

The progressive decline in estrogen leads to a thinning of the vaginal mucosa, with loss of elasticity, reduced natural lubrication and greater fragility of the tissues.

The consequences can be numerous:

• dryness;
• irritation;
• burning;
• greater susceptibility to infections;
• discomfort in daily life.

Electroporation promotes a better local distribution of functional substances, helping to maintain the physiological hydration of the mucosa and improve intimate comfort.

Vaginal dryness: it is not only about menopause

When people talk about vaginal dryness they often think only of menopause, but in reality the problem can affect women of any age.

It can appear after childbirth, during breastfeeding, following cancer treatments, when taking certain medications or in the presence of temporary hormonal changes.

Reduced lubrication can cause burning, irritation, a feeling of tightness and pain during sexual intercourse.

Through the targeted delivery of moisturizing substances, electroporation makes it possible to gradually improve the well-being of the vaginal mucosa and promote a better quality of life.

Pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia)

Pain during sexual intercourse, known as dyspareunia, is one of the symptoms that most frequently accompany vaginal atrophy.

Many women tend to live with this problem out of embarrassment or because they consider it an inevitable consequence of age.

In reality, targeted treatments exist today that can help improve the elasticity and hydration of the tissues, significantly reducing discomfort and promoting the recovery of sexual well-being.

Vulvodynia and vestibulodynia

Electroporation is also used as therapeutic support in patients with vulvodynia and vestibulodynia, conditions characterized by chronic pain localized in the vulvar area.

In these cases the treatment makes it possible to deliver locally active ingredients selected by the doctor, offering a personalized approach that can be combined with other therapeutic strategies included in the clinical pathway.

Mild urinary incontinence: help for the pelvic floor

Among the most interesting applications of electroporation is also the treatment of early forms of mild urinary incontinence.

The EV Plus system in fact integrates electrical stimulation functions, which can contribute to the functional recovery of the pelvic floor muscles.

Strengthening these structures can help improve urinary control in selected patients, always within a therapeutic pathway defined by the specialist.

Itching, burning and intimate discomfort

Persistent itching, irritation and a burning sensation can deeply affect daily well-being.

When these symptoms are linked to trophic changes of the vaginal mucosa, electroporation can help improve the physiological state of the tissues, promoting a gradual reduction of discomfort.

The benefits of vaginal electroporation

One of the main reasons for the growing use of electroporation is its excellent tolerability.

The treatment in fact has many advantages:

• non-invasive;
• completely painless;
• needle-free;
• no incisions;
• no anesthesia;
• customizable;
• fast;
• compatible with normal daily life.

Each session lasts on average 15 minutes and, in most cases, the patient can immediately resume her activities, including work and, unless the doctor advises otherwise, normal sexual activity.

What a session involves

Before starting the treatment, a specialist gynecologic examination is carried out, during which the doctor evaluates the clinical picture, the symptoms and the therapeutic goals.

A personalized protocol is then set up, which may include several sessions, depending on the problem to be treated.

During the procedure the patient generally feels only a slight sensation of warmth or a very gentle tingling, without pain.

At the end, no recovery time or special precautions are needed, apart from the instructions given by the gynecologist.

When to see a gynecologist

Many women tend to live for years with symptoms such as vaginal dryness, burning or small urine leaks, thinking of them as a normal consequence of age.

In reality these problems always deserve a specialist evaluation, because today there are many therapeutic solutions that can significantly improve quality of life.

A gynecologic examination makes it possible to identify the causes of the problem and to choose the most appropriate treatment, evaluating whether vaginal electroporation may be the most suitable solution.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is vaginal electroporation painful?
No. The treatment is generally painless and well tolerated.

How long does a session last?
About 15 minutes.

Is anesthesia needed?
No. Neither anesthesia nor incisions are involved.

Can I go back to normal activities right away?
Yes. In most cases you can resume daily life immediately, following the doctor’s instructions.

Who can have the treatment?
The indications are established by the gynecologist after a specialist examination, evaluating clinical conditions, symptoms and therapeutic goals.