Vaginal Rejuvenation Singapore — The G Lift Protocol
Dr Sin Yong has a dedicated interest in intimate laser treatment for women, particularly after childbirth and around menopause. Device makers including DEKA, CLASSYS and ILOODA have invited him to share his clinical expertise internationally on laser, RF and HIFU techniques.
The G Lift Protocol utilises LCLR® (Laser Collagen Lipo Remodelling), a laser-based approach to collagen remodelling. The G Lift is planned as a short course, with the number of sessions set after assessment.
What the G Lift Treats
Life's milestones — childbirth and menopause — lead to physiological changes many women experience in silence. These are the concerns women most often raise. Laser may help some of them, and not others:
A feeling of looseness after childbirth or with age. Laser aims to remodel the vaginal lining and may improve how the tissue feels for some women. It does not repair stretched muscles or a prolapse, which are checked for first.
Thinning of mucosal walls and decreased lubrication — leading to irritation, itching and discomfort. G Lift aims to improve moisture by supporting the thickness and lubrication of the vaginal lining, which may make daily life more comfortable.
Leaking when sneezing, laughing or exercising. Laser has been studied for mild stress incontinence with mixed results. Pelvic floor muscle training remains the first step; laser may be considered alongside it after assessment.
Pain or reduced sensation during intercourse. Where discomfort comes from thin, dry tissue, improving the lining may make intercourse more comfortable. Pain has many causes, so it is assessed before any laser is planned.
How does vaginal laser work?
Thermal Collagen Remodelling
Fractional laser places tiny columns of controlled heat into the vaginal lining, leaving untreated tissue between them. The heat prompts a healing response in which new collagen, small blood vessels and a thicker lining develop over the following weeks.
Lining Remodelling
Small studies in postmenopausal women have reported a thicker lining after treatment, which is linked with better natural moisture. Symptom relief, such as less dryness or burning, has varied between trials and between women.
What It Does Not Do
Laser works on the lining, not on the pelvic floor muscles. It is not a treatment for prolapse and does not replace pelvic floor exercises. Some women notice a change early, but any benefit builds over weeks.
Recovery
A session takes about 15 to 20 minutes and is usually done without anaesthetic. Most women return to their daily routine the same day, and sexual activity is usually paused for three to four days.
Treatment Protocol
Dr Sin Yong evaluates your specific concerns, medical history and goals. Symptoms, history, cervical screening and examination findings decide whether laser is suitable.
Laser energy is delivered with a slim probe. Anaesthetic is not usually needed; most women describe warmth or a light vibration. It is done as an outpatient.
Mild warmth, swelling or spotting can occur for a few days. Any change in symptoms builds over the following weeks and is reviewed before the next session.
Usually three sessions about 40 days apart. If symptoms improve, a yearly review decides whether a maintenance session is worthwhile; how long any benefit lasts varies.
What is vaginal rejuvenation, and what is MonaLisa Touch?
“Vaginal rejuvenation” is a broad, non-medical phrase for non-surgical treatments of the vaginal tissue, most often laser or radiofrequency. It is not the same as vaginal tightening surgery or labiaplasty, which change anatomy and are done by gynaecological or plastic surgery teams.
MonaLisa Touch is a fractional CO2 laser system made by DEKA for the vaginal lining. A slim probe is placed in the vagina and the laser delivers small, spaced columns of heat around it; a separate setting can be used on the vulva. IN Eternity Clinic is a designated DEKA Centre of Excellence. Treatment is non-hormonal, which is why it is often discussed by women who cannot or prefer not to use oestrogen.
Who considers vaginal laser? After childbirth, around menopause and after cancer treatment
- After childbirth: some women notice looseness, dryness while breastfeeding, or discomfort around healed tears. Treatment is not considered until postnatal recovery is complete and bleeding has stopped; pelvic floor physiotherapy is usually the first step. See after pregnancy.
- Around and after menopause: falling oestrogen thins the lining and causes dryness, burning, discomfort during intercourse and urinary urgency. This is the group in which vaginal laser has been studied most.
- After breast cancer or other hormone-blocking treatment: women advised to avoid oestrogen may look for a non-hormonal option. Plans are made with the oncology team.
- Women with mild stress leakage: laser is sometimes discussed, but evidence is limited and pelvic floor training comes first.
Most women who ask are not looking for a cosmetic change. They want sex to be comfortable again, or to stop noticing dryness through the day. The consultation is set up for that conversation; see how we consult.
What vaginal laser can and cannot do
Setting expectations honestly is part of the treatment. This is how the evidence and clinical experience divide:
| May help | Does not do |
|---|---|
| Dryness, burning and irritation from a thin lining | Repair a prolapse or stretched pelvic floor muscles |
| Discomfort during intercourse caused by dryness or thin tissue | Treat infections, skin conditions such as lichen sclerosus, or unexplained bleeding |
| A feeling of laxity linked to the lining | Replace pelvic floor exercises for leakage |
| Urinary urgency linked to low oestrogen, in some women | Promise a set result; trial results are mixed |
If the examination finds that symptoms come from something laser does not treat, that is treated or referred first, and laser may not be needed at all.
“Laser works on the lining. It does not lift a prolapse or replace pelvic floor training, and a plan that suggests otherwise has skipped the examination.”
Is vaginal laser safe? Side effects and the regulators’ caution
Most effects are mild and short-lived: warmth, slight swelling, itching, a watery discharge or light spotting for a few days. Less commonly there can be infection, longer-lasting discomfort or pain during intercourse. Serious injury such as scarring is rare and is reduced by careful selection, correct settings and allowing full healing between sessions.
Regulators have been cautious about the marketing of these devices. In 2018 the US Food and Drug Administration warned against promoting energy-based devices for “vaginal rejuvenation” or cosmetic vaginal procedures, because their safety and effectiveness for those uses had not been established. That is why the treatment is offered here as a medical option for specific symptoms, after assessment, with the evidence and its limits explained.
How many MonaLisa Touch sessions, and what happens at each?
A typical course is three sessions about 40 days apart. Treatment is scheduled outside menstruation and after any infection has cleared.
| Stage | Timing | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation | Before any treatment | Symptoms and history, cervical screening checked, examination for infection, prolapse or other causes |
| Session 1 | Day 0 | About 15 to 20 minutes with a vaginal probe; usually no anaesthetic |
| Session 2 | About 40 days later | Symptoms reviewed first; settings adjusted |
| Session 3 | About 40 days after that | Reviewed again; the course can stop early if it is not helping |
| Review | Around 12 months | Decide together whether a maintenance session is worthwhile |
Questions can be asked privately before you decide; you can book a consultation or message the clinic on WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to expect, day by day
- Day 0: The session takes 15 to 20 minutes. Afterwards there may be mild warmth, slight swelling at the entrance or a little spotting. You can return to your daily routine; cotton underwear is more comfortable.
- Days 1–3: Mild discomfort, itching or a slight watery discharge can occur as the tissue heals. Avoid sexual activity, hot baths, swimming and strenuous exercise during this period, as advised.
- Week 1: Most women are back to all normal activities. Sexual activity usually resumes after three to four days, depending on the advice given after your session.
- Weeks 2–4: Collagen remodelling is under way. Improvement in moisture, comfort and tone builds gradually rather than appearing all at once.
- Review: Symptoms are reviewed before each session in the course, usually about 40 days apart, and again at an annual review once the course is complete.
Common myths, answered
- Myth: Vaginal dryness and discomfort are just part of ageing and must be tolerated.
Fact: Symptoms linked to falling oestrogen are common and treatable. Options include laser, lubricants, moisturisers and local hormonal treatment prescribed by a doctor, and they are worth discussing. - Myth: Laser replaces pelvic floor exercises.
Fact: Pelvic floor muscle training remains the first-line treatment for stress incontinence. Laser is used alongside it, not instead of it. - Myth: Laser can fix a prolapse.
Fact: A prolapse is a structural problem and needs gynaecological assessment. It is checked for before treatment because laser is not the right tool for it. - Myth: One session gives the full result for years.
Fact: Some change may be felt early, but collagen develops over weeks. The usual plan is a course of three sessions followed by annual maintenance.
What is atrophic vaginitis, and why is it now called GSM?
When oestrogen levels fall, the lining of the vagina and the tissue of the vulva become thinner, drier, less elastic and more fragile, and the nearby urethra and bladder are affected too. This used to be called atrophic vaginitis or vulvovaginal atrophy. In 2014 two international menopause and sexual health societies proposed the name genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), because the condition involves the urinary tract as well, and because it is not primarily an inflammation.
Common symptoms are dryness, burning, itching, pain or bleeding with intercourse, needing to pass urine urgently or often, and repeated urinary infections. GSM is most often linked to menopause, but it also occurs while breastfeeding, after removal of the ovaries, and with breast cancer treatments that lower or block oestrogen. Unlike hot flushes, it tends to persist or progress without treatment, so it is worth raising rather than waiting for it to pass.
Atrophic vaginitis treatment in Singapore: where laser fits
Before any treatment, Dr Sin Yong checks that the symptoms are not caused by something else: infections such as thrush, skin conditions of the vulva such as lichen sclerosus, a prolapse, or unexplained bleeding, which is always investigated first. Cervical screening is confirmed as up to date.
| Option | What it does | Points to weigh |
|---|---|---|
| Vaginal moisturisers and lubricants | Relieve dryness and friction | First step for mild symptoms; need regular use |
| Local vaginal oestrogen | Restores the lining with a low dose applied in the vagina | A prescription medicine; well studied; discussed with your oncologist if you have had breast cancer |
| Fractional CO2 vaginal laser, the technology used in MonaLisa Touch | Tiny heated columns prompt the lining to remodel and thicken | Non-hormonal; a course of sessions; trial results are mixed |
| Pelvic floor physiotherapy | Strengthens and relaxes pelvic muscles | First-line for leakage and some types of pain |
The evidence for laser is still developing and is presented honestly. A blinded trial in postmenopausal women found fractional CO2 laser improved symptoms to a similar degree as topical estriol, while a later sham-controlled trial found no significant difference from sham treatment after twelve months. Laser therefore suits women who want or need a non-hormonal option and understand that response varies. It is often used alongside moisturisers or, where suitable, local oestrogen rather than in place of them.
More questions answered
Can I have the treatment during my period?
Treatment is scheduled outside menstruation, usually a few days after a period has finished. Blood in the area interferes with treatment and makes it harder to assess the tissue. If your cycle is irregular or you have unexpected bleeding, mention it when booking, because unexplained bleeding is investigated before any laser treatment.
Do I need a Pap smear before treatment?
Your assessment confirms that cervical screening is up to date and that there is no infection or unexplained bleeding. If screening is overdue, it is arranged first. This is routine good practice before any intimate procedure, not a sign that anything is wrong.
Will anyone know I've had it done?
No. Consultations and treatment are confidential, there are no visible marks, and most women return to work and their daily routine straight away. The one change to plan around is a short pause in sexual activity, hot baths and strenuous exercise for a few days.
Is atrophic vaginitis the same as a vaginal infection?
No. Atrophic vaginitis, or genitourinary syndrome of menopause, is thinning and dryness of the tissue caused by low oestrogen, not an infection. The symptoms can overlap, because both cause itching, burning and discomfort, and thinner tissue can make infections more likely. That is why an assessment checks for thrush and other infections before any treatment. Each is treated differently, and sometimes both are present at once.
Can I have vaginal laser if I have had breast cancer?
Often this can be considered, because laser does not use hormones, and many women who have had breast cancer are advised to avoid or limit oestrogen. The decision is made with your oncology team, taking into account your treatment and any ongoing medicines. Dr Sin Yong will ask for your history, explain that results vary, and coordinate with your specialists where needed before planning a course.
Does vaginal laser help recurrent urinary infections?
Thinning tissue from low oestrogen is one reason urinary infections recur after menopause, and some women notice fewer urinary symptoms once the tissue improves. However, the evidence that laser prevents infections is limited. Local vaginal oestrogen has stronger evidence for this. Recurrent infections should be investigated properly, and Dr Sin Yong will advise on laser as part of a wider plan rather than as a stand-alone answer.
Is vaginal rejuvenation the same as vaginal tightening surgery?
No. Vaginal laser treats the lining without cutting and does not change anatomy. Surgery for laxity or prolapse is a different procedure carried out by gynaecological or plastic surgery teams, and it is discussed by referral if the examination suggests it.
How soon after childbirth can I have vaginal laser?
Not until postnatal recovery is complete, bleeding has stopped and any tears have healed, and usually after pelvic floor physiotherapy has been tried. While breastfeeding, low oestrogen can cause dryness that may settle on its own once breastfeeding ends, which is taken into account.
Can I have MonaLisa Touch if I already use vaginal oestrogen?
Often, yes. Laser and local oestrogen are sometimes used together, and your doctor will advise on timing around sessions. If you have had a hormone-sensitive cancer, oestrogen use is decided with your oncology team.
Does vaginal laser help with leaking when I sneeze or exercise?
Some women with mild stress leakage report improvement, but the evidence is limited and mixed. Pelvic floor muscle training is the first-line treatment, and more marked leakage is referred for specialist assessment.
What happens at the first consultation?
Dr Sin Yong asks about your symptoms, births, periods or menopause, medicines and cancer history, checks that cervical screening is up to date, and examines for infection, prolapse or other causes. You can stop or postpone at any point, and nothing is booked until you decide.
References
- Portman DJ, Gass MLS. 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 2014;21(10):1063-1068. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000000329
- Cruz VL, Steiner ML, Pompei LM, et al. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial for evaluating the efficacy of fractional CO2 laser compared with topical estriol in the treatment of vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women. Menopause 2018;25(1):21-28. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000000955
- Li FG, Maheux-Lacroix S, Deans R, et al. Effect of fractional carbon dioxide laser vs sham treatment on symptom severity in women with postmenopausal vaginal symptoms: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA 2021;326(14):1381-1389. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.14892
These sources describe mechanisms and general evidence. They are not a promise of any individual result; suitability is decided at an in-person assessment.
Every treatment is personally performed by Dr Sin Yong. Consultation fee waived with any medical treatment.
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