FemiLift is a vaginal laser treatment that uses fractional CO2 energy to address concerns like vaginal dryness, mild urinary incontinence, and loss of tissue elasticity. The procedure takes about 15 to 30 minutes, requires no downtime, and is most commonly sought by postmenopausal women or those experiencing changes in vaginal health after childbirth.
How FemiLift Works
The system uses a CO2 laser delivered through a probe that rotates 360 degrees inside the vaginal canal. As the laser pulses penetrate tissue, it creates tiny zones of controlled thermal damage in the vaginal walls. This triggers the body’s natural healing response, which ramps up production of collagen and elastin, the two proteins responsible for tissue firmness and flexibility. Over the weeks following treatment, the vaginal lining remodels itself with healthier, thicker tissue that produces more natural lubrication.
Most women describe the sensation during treatment as gentle warming or tingling. No anesthesia is typically needed.
What FemiLift Treats
The primary reasons women seek FemiLift fall into a few overlapping categories. Vaginal dryness and painful intercourse, particularly common after menopause, are among the most frequent. A study of postmenopausal women with vulvovaginal atrophy found statistically significant reductions in dryness, painful sexual relations, vaginal burning, itching, and pain at the vaginal opening after CO2 laser treatment.
Stress urinary incontinence, the type where you leak urine when coughing, sneezing, or exercising, is another common indication. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that vaginal laser therapy produced meaningful improvements in incontinence severity scores, sexual function scores, and quality-of-life measures compared to sham (placebo) laser treatments. The improvements were modest but consistent across studies.
Some women also pursue the treatment for vaginal laxity after childbirth, or for general discomfort related to thinning vaginal tissue. The probe’s design allows it to treat specific areas including the vulva, which gives it some versatility beyond the vaginal canal itself.
The Treatment Protocol
A standard course involves three sessions spaced four to six weeks apart. Each session takes roughly 15 to 30 minutes in a doctor’s office. You can return to normal daily activities immediately afterward, though doctors recommend avoiding tampons and sexual activity for at least three days following each appointment.
Results develop gradually as new collagen forms. Most women notice changes within a few weeks of their first session, with full results building over the course of the three-session series. To maintain the benefits, a single follow-up session once a year is generally recommended.
How Long Results Last
Without maintenance, results typically diminish over time as the body’s natural aging and hormonal changes continue. With annual touch-up sessions, most women sustain benefits for years. The longevity varies depending on the condition being treated and individual factors like hormonal status. Women in early menopause, for example, may find that ongoing hormonal shifts require more consistent maintenance than someone whose hormonal profile is stable.
FemiLift vs. Other Vaginal Treatments
FemiLift isn’t the only device in this category. MonaLisa Touch uses a similar CO2 laser approach, while ThermiVa uses radiofrequency energy instead of laser. The distinctions matter in a few practical ways:
- FemiLift and MonaLisa Touch both use CO2 laser energy and take about 15 minutes per session. FemiLift’s 360-degree rotating probe and interchangeable adapters allow it to treat both the vaginal canal and the vulva, which MonaLisa Touch may not offer as easily.
- ThermiVa uses radiofrequency rather than laser, making it nonablative, meaning no tissue is intentionally damaged during the procedure. Sessions run about 30 minutes, roughly twice as long. The tradeoff is that radiofrequency energy generally produces a less intense tissue remodeling response than CO2 laser.
All three are office-based procedures with minimal recovery time. The choice between them often comes down to what’s available at your provider’s clinic and which device they have experience with.
Cost and Insurance
FemiLift runs approximately $1,000 per session. Since most women need three initial sessions, the full course typically costs around $3,000 before any package discounts. Many clinics offer bundled pricing for the three-session series.
Because FemiLift is classified as a cosmetic procedure, health insurance does not cover it, even when used for functional concerns like urinary incontinence. Annual maintenance sessions add to the long-term cost.
What to Know About FDA Status
The Alma FemiLift Pixel CO2 Laser System has received FDA clearance through the 510(k) pathway, which means the agency determined it is substantially equivalent to other legally marketed devices. This clearance covers the device itself, not specific marketing claims about vaginal rejuvenation or sexual enhancement. The FDA has previously issued warnings to companies marketing vaginal laser and radiofrequency devices with unsubstantiated claims, so it’s worth being cautious about clinics that promise dramatic or guaranteed outcomes. The device is a legitimate medical tool, but results vary and the evidence base, while growing, is still being built for some of the conditions it’s marketed for.