What Vaginal Rejuvenation Is Really Like

Everything you need to know about this cosmetic treatment

Over the course of our lifetimes, our bodies undergo several changes. When it comes to the vagina: puberty, childbirth, and menopause are all milestone events that have an effect on sexual function, laxity, and appearance.As cosmetic procedures become more widely available, more people are attempting to reclaim the health of their vagina through surgical solutions. However, historically, vaginal rejuvenation has been a subject that has always been brushed under the carpet. There isn’t too much information available on it so it becomes difficult for women to undergo thorough research before they can consider going through with this treatment. Hence, here is  a lowdown on everything you need to know about this easy, potentially non-invasive, and generally painless solution to your vaginal concerns. Note that it is always advisable to consult a licensed medical professional before the treatment and follow all the instructions strictly to achieve desired results.

What is vaginal rejuvenation?

Vaginal rejuvenation sometimes, referred to as vaginal reconstruction when done for functional medical reasons, can include a whole host of procedures – most commonly vaginoplasty and/or perineoplasty. It is a procedure designed to tighten the inner and outer muscles of the vagina that results in improved muscle tone, control, and strength. This is achieved by reducing the external diameter of the vagina and tightening internal muscles. The non-invasive treatments take anywhere between 20-30 minutes and require no anesthesia.

How does it work?

SURGICAL METHODS

• Vaginoplasty surgery is specifically performed to tighten the vaginal canal. It is sometimes referred to as a colporrhaphy, when it is done for medical functional reasons to strengthen the vaginal walls. Once the amount of tightening to be done is determined, a pie-shaped wedge is marked to delineate the extra skin to be removed from inside the vagina. Beneath the skin, the tissues are tightened with strong sutures. Once the vaginal canal has been tightened, the mucosal skin is sutured closed. If there is external skin that protrudes, this can be reduced as well for a more aesthetic result.
• Perineoplasty, on the other hand, is a procedure to tighten and support the opening (not canal) of the vagina, especially as it relates to the supportive network. This area is frequently damaged either by an episiotomy cut or a tear during a difficult vaginal childbirth delivery. A perineoplasty procedure involves removing any scarred tissue from this area and suturing back together the connective tissue network to recreate a supportive vaginal opening.

NON-SURGICAL METHODS

• Radiofrequency (RF) treatment is a procedure wherein electromagnetic waves are used in RF devices. Similar to the waves used in a microwave – but to a lesser extent – the energy is focused to heat the tissue. They work by pulsing energy into the collagen layer of the vaginal mucosa, where concentrated thermal heating leads some degree of collagen 'shrinkage' and secondary regeneration.
• CO2 laser treatment: The laser heats up the upper layers of the tissue, causing the tissue in the lower layers to make more collagen. This makes the skin firmer and tighter.

Who is an ideal candidate?

• Post-menopausal women with dry vaginal tissues.
• Women with laxity after vaginal childbirth.
• Women with urinary incontinence and/or prolapse of the bladder, rectum, or vagina.
• Aesthetic reasons.

Benefits

There are various reasons why women undergo vaginal rejuvenation. It helps with increased friction experienced during intercourse, minimizes dryness, eases urinary tract concerns, and restores confidence.

Recovery and downtime

With the non-invasive procedures of vaginal rejuvenation, there is virtually no downtime. You can resume normal activities a couple of days following the treatment. With the surgical procedures, it is recommended to wait for a week or two to resume normal activities and at least six weeks before intercourse. The results typically last a lifetime and you may need annual touch-ups.