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Dr Farzana Khan

Dr Farzana Khan

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Dr Farzana Khan qualified as an MD from the University of Copenhagen in 2003. She has worked in dermatology and obstetrics & gynaecology across the North of England and completed her MRCGP (CCT, 2013) and the Diploma of the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Health (2013). Her clinical focus is vaginal health—including dryness/GSM, sexual function concerns, lichen sclerosus, and comfort or volume changes. She offers careful assessment, discusses medical and conservative options first, and considers selected regenerative or aesthetic treatments where appropriate. Dr Farzana also trains clinicians as a KOL/Trainer with Neauvia, Asclepion Laser, and RegenLab (since 2023). Ongoing CPD includes IMCAS, CCR, ACE and expert training in women’s intimate fillers, PRP, and polynucleotide injectables. Her approach is simple: clear explanations, realistic expectations, and shared decision-making. Authored and medically reviewed by Dr Farzana Khan.

MD MRCGP DFFP
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Assessment first
Hormone-free option
Safety focused

Women’s Health Clinic FAQ

Can polynucleotides heal vaginal tears and scars?

Intimate polynucleotides are non-hormonal biostimulatory treatments used in some clinics for vulvovaginal tissue quality. The important first step is confirming the symptom cause, not choosing an injectable by name.

Direct answer

Polynucleotides may support tissue quality and repair signalling, but they should not be promised to heal active vaginal tears or erase scars. Recurrent splitting, painful episiotomy scars or fragile skin need assessment to identify GSM, infection, lichen sclerosus, pelvic-floor tension, scar tethering or poor wound healing. Active wounds, infection, unexplained bleeding and severe pain should be treated first. In selected healed tissue concerns, polynucleotides may be considered as an adjunct rather than a stand-alone repair solution.

Your clinician should review symptoms, medical history, allergies, medicines, cancer history where relevant, alternatives, expected benefits, limitations and aftercare before deciding whether treatment fits.

Educational only. Suitability must be confirmed after consultation and assessment. Results vary. Not a cure.

Women's Health Clinic consultation about Can polynucleotides heal vaginal tears and scars?
Consultation-led care

At a glance

These are the main points to understand before deciding whether intimate polynucleotides are suitable.

Polynucleotides at a glance

Non-hormonal biostimulation

Mechanism of Action

PNs activate the adenosine A2A receptor and the nucleotide salvage pathway, increasing fibroblast vitality, enhancing Collagen I and II synthesis.

Formulations

Available as injectable gels (such as NewGyn®, which combines PN-HPT® with hyaluronic acid and mannitol) or as topical vaginal ovules.

Target Conditions

Episiotomy scars, perineal tears, post-surgical adhesions, and vulvovaginal atrophy .

Key Benefits

Improves tissue elasticity, deeply hydrates the mucosa, reduces dyspareunia (painful sex), and minimises scar discomfort .

Important safety note

Fish Allergies: Because PNs are derived from highly purified salmon or trout DNA, treatment is strictly contraindicated in patients with known fish allergies .

Diagnosis
Allergy
Evidence
Aftercare
Alternatives




Detailed answer

Active wounds are different

Recurrent tearing or scars need assessment before any injectable is considered.

Repair support is not scar erasure

PN can only be discussed as tissue-quality support in selected healed or fragile tissue concerns.

Mechanism
Evidence
Symptoms
Alternatives

What it means

Post-Surgical Healing: In a study of 166 patients undergoing pelvic floor surgery with polypropylene mesh, post-operative use of PN and terpinenol ovules significantly reduced mesh exposure complication rates to 1%.

Why symptoms matter

Scar Rejuvenation: Real-world applications of PN/HA injectables demonstrate reported improvement in treating menopausal and post-surgical atrophy, significantly reducing subjective symptoms like soreness, tingling, and dyspareunia (pain during sex) .

Evidence limits

Evidence is encouraging in selected areas, but intimate-use claims should remain cautious and assessment-led.

Treatment fit

Setting: Administered as an in-clinic procedure by a trained gynaecologist or aesthetic practitioner .

What this means in practice

Setting: Administered as an in-clinic procedure by a trained gynaecologist or aesthetic practitioner .

Treatment Schedule: Clinical protocols typically involve a primary phase of 3 to 6 injection sessions, spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart (or every 15 days), depending on the severity of the scar or tissue atrophy .





Patient safety

Why diagnosis comes first

Many intimate symptoms overlap. The right treatment depends on whether the issue is GSM, infection, vulval skin disease, scarring, pelvic-floor guarding, medication effect or another cause.

It checks the cause

Post-Surgical Healing: In a study of 166 patients undergoing pelvic floor surgery with polypropylene mesh, post-operative use of PN and terpinenol ovules significantly reduced.

It protects safety

Fish Allergies: Because PNs are derived from highly purified salmon or trout DNA, treatment is strictly contraindicated in patients with known fish allergies .

It reviews alternatives

Moisturisers, lubricants, local ooestrogen, pelvic-floor care or specialist review may be more appropriate first.

It sets expectations

Polynucleotides are gradual tissue-support treatments, not instant resolves or promised outcomes.

Non-hormonal does not mean automatic

A hormone-free option may still be unsuitable if there is infection, unexplained bleeding, pregnancy, recent surgery, severe fish allergy or unclear pelvic pain.

Good care explains product source, treatment route, alternatives, limits, aftercare and when another medical pathway is safer.





Considerations

What to consider

Treatment planning should include diagnosis, symptom pattern, allergy risk, medicines, consent, realistic timelines and aftercare.

Consultation priorities

A consultation should review symptoms, medical history, fish allergy, infection risk, bleeding risk, pregnancy status, expectations and alternatives.

History
Consent
Aftercare
Review

Before treatment

Preparation: Patients must discontinue blood-thinning medications (e.g., aspirin or NSAIDs) at least 7 days before treatment and ensure the area is free from active infection .

During care

The Procedure: Using a fine needle, the practitioner delivers the PN gel via micro-injections directly into the dermal and submucosal layers of the scarred or atrophic tissue .

Aftercare

Immediate Aftercare: Patients are instructed to avoid sexual intercourse, strenuous exercise (gym), hot baths, saunas, and tampons for 24 to 72 hours to prevent friction and infection .

When to reassess

If symptoms persist, worsen or do not match expectations, reassessment is safer than repeating treatment automatically.

Practical expectations

Treatment Schedule: Clinical protocols typically involve a primary phase of 3 to 6 injection sessions, spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart (or every 15 days), depending on the severity of.

Costs and treatment plans should be confirmed before booking; do not rely on generic package claims.





Common concerns and myths

Common misconceptions

Clear patient information should correct over-simple claims and keep expectations realistic.

Myth: polynucleotides are fillers

Reality: they are biostimulatory DNA fragments used for gradual tissue-quality support, not instant volume.

Myth: hormone-free means suitable for everyone

Reality: fish allergy, infection, bleeding, pregnancy, recent surgery and unclear pain can make treatment unsuitable.

Myth: results are promised

Reality: response varies and should be reviewed before repeating treatment.

Evidence and limits

Mechanism-of-action language should not be treated as proof of a predictable result.

Alternatives still matter

Moisturisers, local hormonal care, pelvic-floor physiotherapy, infection treatment or specialist review may be better for some patients.





Safety checklist

Safety checklist

Use these questions to decide whether treatment should be discussed, delayed or redirected.

Has the cause been assessed?

Symptoms should be reviewed in context before selecting an injectable treatment.

Are red flags absent?

Active infection, unexplained bleeding, severe pain or new vulval changes should be checked first.

Are alternatives clear?

Ask what conservative, hormonal, pelvic-floor or specialist options may be more appropriate.

Is follow-up planned?

The clinic should explain aftercare, review timing and when to seek help.

Reassuring signs

Proceeding is more reasonable when diagnosis is clear, goals are realistic, red flags are absent and aftercare is understood.

Clear diagnosis
No red flags
Review plan

Reasons to pause

Pause treatment for active infection, unexplained bleeding, pregnancy, severe fish allergy, recent pelvic surgery, severe pain or changing vulval skin.

Pain
Bleeding
Infection




When to escalate

When to seek medical help

Some symptoms should be assessed before any elective intimate treatment. Use NHS 111 online

Allergy symptoms

Swelling of the lips, tongue or face, breathing difficulty, widespread hives, faintness or collapse needs urgent help.

Bleeding or new skin change

New post-menopausal bleeding, ulcers, changing white plaques, unusual discharge or visible blood in urine should be assessed.

Infection signs

Fever, pus, spreading redness, worsening swelling or feeling unwell after a procedure needs prompt advice.

Emergency symptoms

Call 999 in a life-threatening emergency, including collapse, chest pain or breathing difficulty.

Use NHS 111 for urgent advice or call 999 in a life-threatening emergency. This page is educational and does not replace individual medical assessment.

Next step

Book a clinical consultation

A consultation can confirm whether intimate polynucleotides may be suitable, whether another pathway should come first, and what realistic outcomes, risks and aftercare would look like.

View Research Sources (12 Sources)
• Giani, I., et al. (2013). "Polynucleotides and terpinenol: an effective aid in preventing mesh exposure in pelvic floor surgery." Pelviperineology. Demonstrates the efficacy of PN ovules in surgical wound healing . Palmieri, I. P., & Raichi, M. (2022). "Vulvar rejuvenation with polynucleotides HPT® and benefits on postmenopausal sexual life disruption." Obstetrics and gynaecology Reports. Evaluates intradermal PN-HPT and HA injections for vulvar atrophy and dyspareunia . Alessandri, F., et al. (2022). "A real-world study on the safety and efficacy of polynucleotide-based vaginal ovules in vaginal atrophies." Obstetrics and gynaecology Reports. Highlights complete resolution of severe vaginal dryness and healing of post-surgical atrophy .
• 2019 surveillance of intrapartum care for healthy women and babies (NICE guideline CG190) - NCBI
• 2022 exceptional surveillance of intrapartum care for healthy women and babies (NICE guideline CG190)
• Recommendations | Intrapartum care | Guidance - NICE
• Recommendations | Postnatal care | Guidance | NICE
• Fenton's Repair - University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
• Fenton's procedure - Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
• Hair and Face - York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• REVEAL 1 Trial - NHS Health Research Authority
• Two parallel, pragmatic, UK multicentre, randomised controlled trials comparing surgical options for upper compartment (vault or uterine) pelvic organ prolapse (the VUE Study) - PMC
• Pharmacological Activity and Clinical Use of PDRN - PMC - NIH
• Polynucleotides in Aesthetic Medicine: A Review of Current Practices and Perceived Effectiveness - PMC

These 12 source names are selected from 24 display-ready sources, with a raw audit trail of 67 imported records. Additional reviewed material included peer-reviewed clinical papers, evidence reviews, clinical trial records; duplicate, low-relevance and non-clinical records were removed before display.

Educational only. This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Results vary. Not a cure.

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