CSMC advocates for feminine wellness this National Women’s Month

Conversations about feminine wellness are still considered taboo or even shameful, especially
in conservative countries like the Philippines. From menstrual problems to reproductive health
and even menopause concerns, there is still a significant lack of resources for women regarding
these issues.

“Women deserve access to all the information and resources they need to ensure that their
feminine wellness is taken care of,” said Dr. Catherine Howard, head of Cardinal Santos
Medical Center’s (CSMC) Reproductive and Sexual Health committee and the CSMC Laser
Gynecologic Group. “Feminine health is nothing to be ashamed about.”

In celebration of National Women’s Month, CSMC recently hosted a webinar promoting feminine
health awareness among women. Dr. Howard herself discussed some common feminine health
issues experienced by women and what treatment options are available, such as FemiLift.
FemiLift is an FDA-approved non-surgical laser-assisted procedure designed to improve vaginal
irregularities and rejuvenate vaginal tissues. FemiLift uses a clinically established CO 2 laser
technology to gently heat vaginal tissue, contracting existing fibers and stimulating production of
new collagen, which helps give the vaginal tissues strength and flexibility. It is fast, painless,
safe and effective.

“We see FemiLift as a solution for a wide range of feminine indications such as stress urinary
incontinence, vaginal dryness, laxity and even recurrent infections,” said Howard. “There are
certain stages in a woman’s life where these issues are almost inevitable, like menopause or
post-delivery of a baby. Some of these can be addressed using exercise, therapies, hormonal
treatments, natural remedies and of course laser colpoplasty, which is FemiLift.”
Menopause is the cessation of a woman’s menstrual period some time around her 40’s to 50’s.
During this time, women develop symptoms caused by hypoestrogenic changes. This is
because with age, the vaginal tissues become thinner, drier, less elastic and more easily
irritated.

One of these symptoms is stress urinary incontinence, a leakage of urine when there is
abdominal pressure, such as laughing, coughing, sneezing or exercise. In more severe cases,
some patients might even need to use sanitary pads or adult diapers to prevent leakages.
“FemiLift helps treat stress urinary incontinence by strengthening weak pelvic floor muscles,
which is what women use to hold in their pee,” Howard noted. “It also revitalizes the vaginal
lining, increases thickness of the vaginal walls and restores lubrication. Additionally, FemiLift
helps generate new healthy tissue with higher immune resistance to infection.”

FemiLift can also be used in post-delivery rehabilitation. Before, during and after vaginal birth,
women’s hormones fluctuate and their bodies go through many changes, such as weakened
pelvic floor muscles and vaginal dryness. With FemiLift, the laser treatment strengthens, tones
and restores vaginal tissue flexibility.

“What’s good about this is that it is just a minor procedure, like an ultrasound. You don’t need
anesthesia of any sort, in ten to twenty minutes you’re done with the procedure and the entire
treatment can be finished in three sessions, so once a month for three months,” Howard said.
CSMC has been offering FemiLift through its Comprehensive Women’s Care Unit since 2018,
but had to halt procedures because of the pandemic. Now, FemiLift is open once more to the
public for only Php 65,000 for three sessions. The effects of the procedure generally last 12 to
18 months, but Howard shared that some of her patients reported a consistently satisfactory
vaginal condition despite having their last procedure in 2018 or 2019.

“People might think FemiLift is just for improved sexual activity, but in reality it’s also effective in
treating very real concerns and conditions in the feminine area,” Howard stressed. “It is a
medical treatment for menopausal women, women experiencing issues post-delivery and
women who are at risk for recurrent infections. There are a lot of benefits from this treatment. I
highly recommend it.”

For more information about the programs and services that CSMC offers, please visit
https://cardinalsantos.com.ph/. CSMC is also on Facebook, like and follow them at
www.facebook.com/CardinalSantos.