Today there are various gynecological treatments available for women that bring comfort, confidence, and less pain. One of those special treatments is Vaginal Rejuvenation. It includes everything that has to do with the corrective procedures on the vagina like tightening or treatment for increasing lubrication. These procedures are usually performed to correct problems that may occur after giving birth. These conditions are – lack of tightness in the vagina, urinary incontinence, absence of lubrication, etc.

Vaginal Rejuvenation is increasing in popularity as the issues after childbirth can affect a woman’s sense of well-being and sexuality. Studies say that around 40% of women have psychological distress from sexual dysfunction, and because of this, many are opting for Vaginal Rejuvenation. There isn’t one single way for this. There are injections, creams, surgical, and non-surgical procedures to manage this. 

Vaginal Rejuvenation can consist of several procedures – female genital plastic surgery, genital rejuvenation surgery, designer vagina surgery, and vulvovaginal plastic surgery are some of the surgical procedures used. Female genital plastic surgery procedures include – clitoral hood reduction, monsplasty, labiaplasty, vaginoplasty, and labia majoraplasty.

Why women desire Vaginal Rejuvenation?

The vagina is an elastic muscle, and it can expand due to tow reasons – childbirth and age. It expands in childbirth for obvious reasons, as a woman needs to push out the baby. But with age, there are changes in hormones that reduce the strength of the muscle and the surrounding connective tissues. As such, the vagina may lose elasticity. The vaginal walls can become thin due to a lack of estrogen, making one feel a change in diameter. This is known as vaginal atrophy. This loose feeling makes women want to go back, and here is where vaginal Rejuvenation comes in.

Women may seek vaginal Rejuvenation either for cosmetic reasons or to have a better quality of life. Many have experienced stress urinary incontinence post-childbirth, and hence vaginal Rejuvenation can help them with this. If a woman seeks this for cosmetic reasons, then its important to think of the reasons they want it before going forward.

Methods of Vaginal Rejuvenation

Vaginal Rejuvenation is done via two methods – Surgical and Non-Surgical. 

  • Surgical

Surgical options for vaginal Rejuvenation are – vaginoplasty, labiaplasty, and vulvaplasty.

1. Vaginoplasty

This procedure tightens the vagina that can become with age or childbirth. Vaginoplasty has been represented as done to benefit self -esteem, and confidence. The procedure is performed under regional or local anesthesia. It can either be a full-length or half-length tightening. A depth of 7-8 cms is full length. It also usually includes perineoplasty to remodel the perineum. 66% of women believe that this procedure has improved their sex lives. 

However, some have complained of complications such as hemorrhage, wound infection, constipation, and lack of lubrication, to name a few. Some examples of vaginoplasty are:

  • Clitoral unhooding: This involves removing tissue that covers the clitoris.
  • Revirgination: The hymen breaks the first time a woman has intercourse, and surgery can be done to mimic its original state before the woman had sex. 
  • G-spot amplification: It is believed that the front wall of the vagina has the g-spot, which is important for female stimulation and arousal. Collagen is injected into this area to increase pleasure for the woman.

2. Labiaplasty

Labiaplasty means reshaping the labia. It is the surgical reduction of labia minora. This has become quite popular. It changes the shape of the labia or corrects the asymmetry. Complications following this surgery can be hematoma, infections, and scarring. One can shorten or reshape the lips after administering anesthesia. The unwanted tissue is cut with a laser or scalpel, and the loose edge is stitched with dissolving stitches.

3. Vulvaplasty

Vulvaplasty means reshaping the vulva. This involves reshaping the vulva to look a certain way.

FAQs for Surgical Procedures

  • Who can go for a surgical Vaginal Rejuvenation?

  1. A woman in good health who has the following issues can go for surgery.
  2. She feels pain or soreness during exercise or sexual activity.
  3. Her genital contours have become stretched or lax.
  4. She wants to improve the look of her genitals.
  5. She doesn’t feel much sensation during sex after childbirth.

  • What is the procedure for surgical Vaginal Rejuvenation?

Anesthesia is administered to the patient first. If it is a vaginoplasty, then eth excess skin is removed, and the vaginal wall tissues are tightened using sutures. If it is a labiaplasty, then eth excess tissue is removed to get the desired contour. The labia is aligned and closed with absorbing sutures.

  • What questions do I ask the surgeon before making a decision on the surgery?

  1. Will the procedure affect my ability to feel an orgasm?
  2. What are the benefits of this procedure?
  3. What are the short and long term risks involved?
  4. Will there be reduced sensation in the clitoris or labia post-surgery?
  5. Can I use all feminine hygiene products such as tampons?
  6. Doe sit affect pregnancy and childbirth in the future?

Non-Surgical

Non-Surgical Vaginal Rejuvenation involves two common methods. One is using radio frequency and the other using the laser. They are known as energy-based treatments. Both radiofrequency and laser options heat the tissues, which affects the formation of collagen. It was found that cooling, along with radiofrequency, leads to the tightening of the vagina. The alternate laser use heats the vaginal tissues and tightens them too.

  • Radio Frequency – Radiofrequency or RF treatments use electromagnetic waves. These are similar to waves produced in a microwave. These waves are, to a lesser extent, in an RF treatment, and the energy is focused to heat the tissue. Some brands that offer RF devices are – ThermiVa and Viveve.
  • CO2 Laser – In CO2 laser treatment, a wand is inserted. This wand heats up the tissue in the vagina. The tissue in the lower layers are forced to make more collagen and makes the skin firm and tight. Brands that offer the laser device are – FemTouch, MonaLisa Touch, and FemiLift.

FAQs for energy-based treatments

  • How is laser tightening done?

A laser probe is inserted into the vagina, and it can rotate 360 degrees. The light can penetrate the vaginal epithelium and reach the tissue, which can produce new collagen. It is painless and requires zero downtime or anesthesia. Patients can resume their day to day activities post the procedure. But doctors advise nothing should be inserted in the vagina for five days, including no sex.

  • Who can be a good candidate for laser treatments in Vaginal Rejuvenation?

Laser treatments for the vagina is safe for most women, especially those that have issues relating to pelvic pain, stress urinary incontinence, vaginal prolapse, and pelvic relaxation. Doctors recommend that women wait at least three months post-birth for this treatment. In post-menopausal women, this treatment can promote collagen production. The vaginal remodeling returns the architecture of the vagina, the way it was before menopause. Women have reported a reduction in pain during sex and improved lubrication.

  • Where can an energy-based treatment take place?

These energy-based treatments can be performed in the doctor’s office. Little to zero anesthetics is used for the procedure.

  • Are there are any risks associated with this procedure?

There can be a risk of infection or bleeding in some women. But this risk is very low, and most women don’t experience this. In extremely rare cases, a woman may experience vulvar or vaginal scarring.

  • Are energy-based treatment permanent?

These treatments are not permanent and will need to be done over several sessions.

  • Will insurance cover the cost of Vaginal Rejuvenation?

Most insurance providers do not cover vaginal Rejuvenation. However, some do pay for this as therapy. Do call your insurance provider to find out more.

  • Does vaginal lubrication improve with RF and Laser?

RF and laser both have been seen to improve vaginal lubrication. This change is said to be the result of improved blood flow.

  • How often does this procedure need to be performed? Is once enough?

RF and laser aren’t permanent, so most companies recommended another session 6-12 months after the first session.

  • Are energy-based procedures more effective than surgical procedures?

A non-surgical procedure doesn’t replace surgery. Radiofrequency and laser depend on tightening the walls using collagen remodeling, whereas surgery closes the gap between the vaginal muscles that have stretched apart. The results of laser and radiofrequency may be limited, but surgical procedures always carry the risks of surgery.

Reducing Urinary Incontinence

If you experience a leak when you laugh, run, sneeze or cough, then you may have urinary stress incontinence. This happens when pelvic floor muscles become weak due to pregnancy or old age. Because of this, controlling leakage from the bladder becomes difficult. Women who suffer from it may struggle with embarrassment.

Certain vaginal rejuvenation procedures can really change this form of a woman. Non-surgical treatments can achieve good results. A doctor may suggest a combination of cryotherapy and radiofrequency to heat the deeper vaginal layers. Women will notice an improvement in dryness and vaginal laxity. Also, urinary incontinence can be treated completely by this method.

Intended Results from Vaginal Rejuvenation

  • A woman will feel more comfortable during strenuous activities or sex after this procedure. There will be more lubrication, and women will be able to feel better orgasms.
  • There will be a reduction in urinary incontinence, and she will be free from embarrassment.
  • Vaginoplasty can tighten the vagina and bring it to the same size as it was before childbirth.
  • The labia’s appearance can be improved, which will boost the woman’s self-confidence.

Conclusion

Vaginal Rejuvenation can ensure that a woman’s vagina is lubricated, she feels tight, and there is a lesser chance of stress urinary incontinence. A woman might opt for vaginal Rejuvenation for cosmetic purposes as well. Because her vagina is lubricated and tight, sexual intercourse won’t be as painful, and she will enjoy it. The urinary incontinence will ensure that she isn’t shy from any physical activities and lives her life to the fullest.

While a Vaginal Rejuvenation appears to be a solution for some of the valid issues that women face. One must understand that no matter what, any procedure or surgery will not restore a body part to how it was when the woman was 18 years old. The body goes through wear and tear as it ages. Thus, Vaginal Rejuvenation is a good way to avoid pain and embarrassment, but one must understand and be sure of what the expectation of the outcome is.

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