Hi, just a quick update: I have applied to participate in the trial and got a lovely email back from Prof Abbott. Looks like I might be eligible (yay!) but still need to go through the screening process etc. It is a 12 month study which uses a randomised trial method to determine the effectiveness of the Mona Lisa treatment (MLT) compared to a placebo. Participants will be randomly placed into groups and then either being put into the MLT group or a placebo group. Participants won't know which group they're in during the study as the procedures (biopsies / vaginal examinations / use of the MLT device etc) will all look the same - they just don't switch on the laser for the placebo group :)
A total of 3 treatments will be performed with a 4 week break in between. Participants will be assessed 4 weeks after each treatment and then 6 months after the final one to find out what changes may / may not have happened. If the MLT procedure is found to be successful then women in the placebo group will have the opportunity to have a 3 treatment course for free, following the completion of the study.
Hopefully the results of the study will show MLT to be successful and a possible therapy for those of us that can't use oestrogen hormone creams etc. If the trial shows the therapy to be helpful then there will be good evidence to lobby to have the procedure available through Medicare, to make it more affordable, as those of us that have looked into this before have baulked at the expense, especially on top of so many other financial hits because of treatment.
Will let you know if I'm accepted and how things go. Jane xx
