Viveve® Treatment in Scottsdale, AZ

What is Viveve®?

The Viveve® System is a patented, cryogen-cooled monopolar, radiofrequency (RF) energy delivery system. It is used to treat women seeking treatment for vaginal laxity, intimacy issues associated with sexual function, and stress urinary incontinence. Viveve® Treatment stimulates collagen production to improve the structural integrity of the vaginal area and support the urethra. In the US, the Viveve Treatment’s energy based system is FDA approved with the specific indication for use in general surgical procedures of electrocoagulation and hemostasis.

Guerra Plastic Surgery Center in Scottsdale, Arizona is proud to offer the non-surgical Viveve® Treatment to target vaginal laxity, improve sexual function, and treat urinary incontinence in women.

What Should I Expect At My Viveve® Treatment?

The Viveve® treatment is a non-surgical treatment that uses patented technology to stimulate and rebuild natural collagen to tighten and strengthen the tissues. During the Viveve® Treatment, a small, lubricated probe is inserted into the vaginal canal. Radiofrequency (RF) energy is consistently and safely delivered, and heats up the deep tissues to stimulate the production of new collagen and tissue reinvigoration. Simultaneously, the small probe emits cryogen-cooling to protect the tissue. Because of this heating/cooling technology, no general or local anesthesia is required. The procedure is painless. Some patients report a cooling sensation, followed by a warmth.

In a randomized, double-blind and sham-controlled study, patients showed a significant improvement in arousal, lubrication and orgasm versus the sham treatment (placebo).

How Long Does The Viveve® Treatment Take?

The Viveve® Treatment is a non-surgical treatment performed in a doctor’s office. It typically takes 30-45 minutes to complete the treatment. Most patients require only one treatment. Occasionally, a second treatment may be required for women with Severe Stress Urinary Incontinence or vaginal laxity.

What Are The Results of the Viveve Treatment?

Results from the Viveve® Treatment vary from patient to patient. Most patients begin to feel and notice results immediately after their treatment. However, with this regenerative process, collagen production will build gradually over time, generally between 30 and 90 days after the Viveve Treatment. Tightness will continue to improve over time. Depending on your body’s unique collagen production, you may feel the benefits of tightening from your Viveve Treatment for up to a year or longer. Patient-reported benefits may include:

Increased vaginal lubrication resulting in reduced pain during intercourse
Approximately 9 out of 10 patients reported improvements in arousal and orgasm during sex
Improved stress urinary incontinence along with urge-related incontinence
Vaginal tightening

Vaginal rejuvenation performed discreetly in the comfort of a doctor’s office

In clinical trials to date, 90% of women who received the Viveve® Treatment reported significant, sustained tightening at 12 months after treatment, with an average improvement of 68%.

Who is a good candidate for the Viveve® Treatment?

The Viveve Treatment may benefit women suffering from vaginal laxity, pelvic floor dysfunction, intimacy issues related to vaginal laxity, or stress urinary incontinence. Many of these women report a feeling of looseness or laxity, such as

How “snug” you feel during intercourse
Less physical sensation experienced during partner penetration during intercourse
Decreased sexual satisfaction
Feeling vaginal “Looseness”

What Causes Vaginal Laxity?

Women may experience vaginal changes for a variety of reasons, including childbirth, age, hormonal changes, and pelvic floor trauma.

These and other changes stretch and expand the vaginal tissue, and can result in the loss of sexual function and/or urinary incontinence. In fact, it is estimated that 1 in every 3 women will experience urinary incontinence at some point in their lifetime. Furthermore, approximately 40% of women suffer from some form of sexual dysfunction.

What is Stress Urinary Incontinence?

The urinary tract is a system that stores and removes waste, in the form of urine, from our bodies. The kidneys clean our blood and filter and remove waste and excess water (urine). Urine drains down through tubes called ureters into the bladder. The bladder and urethra are supported by pelvic floor muscles. Normally, the bladder stores urine, and the muscles inside the bladder contract/squeeze when urine needs to be released. The sphincter muscles (valves) relax or open when the bladder contracts, and allow the flow of urine from the bladder through the urethra so that urine can exit the body.

If the muscles involved in the urinary tract system become weak, stretched or damaged, urine can pass from the bladder through the urethra when pressure is exerted on these muscles. The result is stress urinary incontinence (SUI), which is simply the unintentional loss of urine. Stress incontinence occurs when the muscles that control the ability to hold urine are weakened.

Urine may leak out with sudden pressure, like exercising, sneezing, coughing, laughing, lifting heavy objects or, in more severe cases, less forceful pressure like bending over or walking. The amount can be a few drops to tablespoons or more.

What Are Some Causes of Weakened Muscles?

Weakened muscles may be caused by:

Gender: Females are more likely to get SUI
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Menstruation
Menopause
Being Overweight
Smoking
Chronic Coughing
Pelvic Surgery
Injury to the Urethra Area
Some Medications
Age

How Does Stress Urinary Incontinence Affect My Life?

Stress Urinary Incontinence may interfere with daily and social activities. Sometimes SUI can change certain behaviors and bring about strong feelings, such as:

Embarrassment about urine leakage problems
Fear of being too far from a bathroom or change of clothes
Preventing you from exercising regularly
Affecting intimacy and relationships with a loved one
Daily routines focused and prioritized to avoid leaks
Feelings of inadequacy
Skin rash or irritation where skin is in constant contact with urine

If you relate to some of these feelings or behaviors, the Viveve® treatment may be able to help.

Aldo Guerra, MD, FACS

Dr. Aldo Guerra trained specifically and extensively for a career in cosmetic plastic surgery. After completing his plastic surgery training he passed the qualifying examination to become board certified in plastic surgery by The American Board of Plastic Surgery. He has over 15 years of experience practicing plastic surgery.

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