Vaginal Rejuvenation

Also known as vaginoplasty and laser vaginoplasty surgery, vaginal rejuvenation allows you to tighten and support your vagina and its surrounding structures. You may opt for this procedure to correct damage to the muscles of your vagina that can occur after childbirth and with age, and which is also more likely if you smoke, or gain or lose a significant amount of weight. While some women also seek this cosmetic procedure to increase sensitivity, surgical tightening of your vaginal tissue cannot promise a greater sexual response, as arousal and orgasm are intricate and highly personal, governed just as much by emotional as physical factors. However, if you have realistic expectations of what this treatment can offer, you will be very happy with your results.

Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation

When you choose this procedure, you can look forward to improved muscle tone, muscle strength and control of your vaginal muscles. Laser vaginoplasty surgery also allows you to benefit from a vagina that has a smaller diameter and greater strength in your perineal area. As this technique is very precise, the results are pleasing and with little blood loss healing is rapid and you are able to get back to your normal activities sooner.

Your gynaecologist will discuss anaesthetic options for vaginal rejuvenation with you, but it is usually possible to undergo vaginal rejuvenation as an outpatient using a local anaesthetic and a nerve block. Before the laser is used a special solution is injected into your vaginal walls to minimise blood loss once cutting begins. Then once the tissue of your vagina is cut accordingly, stitches tighten your vaginal muscles in line with the specifications you agreed with your gynaecologist.

To make an informed decision about whether you want to surgically tighten your vagina it is important to be aware of the risks of vaginal rejuvenation as well as its benefits. Although it is a safe, low risk procedure, like any surgery there is still a small degree of risk when you have laser vaginoplasty. For example, haemorrhage and infection may occur, though this occurs in less than 1% of women. There is also a potential risk of damage to your bladder or rectum, though both are extremely rare when performed by a skilled surgeon. In a very small minority of cases over-tightening may alternatively occur. Finally, there is also a small risk from receiving an anasesthetic. However, the benefits of this laser surgery nearly always outweigh the risks.

Preparing for Vaginal Rejuvenation

To aid your recovery and reduce the risk of complications, there are certain steps you can take before laser surgery. For instance, you should stop blood thinning medications and supplements, such as aspirin, St John's Wort and vitamin E, beforehand, as these may lead to excessive blood loss and bruising. If you smoke, you should avoid doing so for at least a fortnight before your vaginal rejuvenation procedure, as smoking impairs your circulation, which can hinder healing. Keeping well hydrated is also important to aid your circulation, so besides drinking plenty of fluids, you should avoid alcohol in the fortnight before and after surgery.

It is also helpful to know what to expect after laser surgery to tighten your vagina. A certain amount of bruising, swelling and discomfort is normal after the procedure. Although swelling may last for several weeks, you can reduce swelling initially by applying ice to the external areas that were treated during the first two days after treatment. You will also be given advice on suitable painkillers to take to ease your discomfort. While the recovery from vaginal rejuvenation is different for every woman, you should be mobile by the next day, though you may want to take a few week off work or from your normal activities to aid recovery. However, over the next couple of weeks you should still limit physical activity and avoid high impact exercise for the first month, as these will otherwise place too much stress on your vagina as it heals. Similarly, you should avoid intercourse for the first six weeks after the procedure. If you have questions about other activities, you can discuss this with your gynaecologist, who will give you detailed self-care information to take home with you.

To learn more about vaginal rejuvenation, book a consultation with Dr Purkayastha today.