Vaginal Tightening
Vaginoplasty
Childbirth, aging and a variety of other congenital and hormonal factors can lead to weakened vaginal muscles and over-stretched vaginal tissues, resulting in loss of tightness, elasticity and control. Inability to properly contract the vaginal muscles can cause a less than satisfactory sexual experience for many women and their partners, as lack friction and control leads to diminished sensation. Other issues, such as urinary incontinence are also not uncommon, as a weakened pelvic wall does not provide enough support for the bladder and urethral muscles.
Vaginoplasty, also referred to as vaginal tightening or vaginal rejuvenation, is a surgical procedure that includes removing excess, undesirable vaginal tissue, and tightening and repairing the vaginal and pelvic muscles to reduce the diameter of the vagina and increase control and contraction strength. At Clinic 360 our specialist gynaecological surgeon performs these vaginal surgeries routinely and expertly.
Why Some Women Choose to Undergo Vaginoplasty
Aesthetic Concerns
While vaginal childbirth is a major stressor of vaginal tissue, the vaginal skin, like facial skin, can simply lose elasticity with age. As a result of these stresses, many women develop a weakness or relaxation of the muscles of the pelvic floor, which could result in poor muscle tone, increased vaginal diameter (vaginal stretching), and loose, flaccid vaginal tissue, which could become misshapen or distorted, often leading to an unpleasant, saggy appearance. While the vagina is located inside the body and is not readily visible, these conditions can still cause women to become uncomfortable or dissatisfied with its look and feel.
Sexual Dissatisfaction
For many women, the reduced vaginal tightness is more than an aesthetic concern. Some women report decreased sensation during sexual activity resulting from a loss of friction, a side effect which could lead to sexual dissatisfaction for women and their partners.
Urinary Stress Incontinence
For some, relaxation of the vagina can lead to urinary stress incontinence, a condition in which urine can leak from the bladder with laughing, sneezing, or coughing.
Luckily, advances in cosmetic surgery techniques make correcting these conditions relatively simple.
Who is a Good Candidate for Vaginoplasty?
Most women who are in good overall health and who do not have any prior medical conditions that could complicate the procedure are good candidates for vaginoplasty. However, a responsible surgeon will not perform vaginoplasty on anyone who is pregnant. It is advised that women who plan to become pregnant delay vaginal tightening procedures until after they have had children. Women who have recently given birth are typically advised to wait at least 4-8 weeks before undergoing a vaginal tightening procedure, but vaginal tightening is not only for women who have given birth, as vaginal stretching can occur for a number of reasons. If you have experienced vaginal stretching due to childbirth, are experiencing a loss of sensation and friction during sexual intercourse, or just want to improve the look and feel of your intimate area, a vaginal tightening procedure might be right for you.
What Can Vaginoplasty Do for You?
The goal of vaginoplasty is to restore the vagina by tightening pelvic muscles, as well as removing and repairing excess saggy tissue, reducing or even reversing the negative effects brought on by age and childbirth. Another goal of vaginal tightening is to restore and intensify sensitivity lost as a result of decreased friction during intercourse, potentially improving sexual satisfaction for women and their partners. In addition to restoring the overall appearance of the vagina, vaginal tightening reduces the diameter of the vaginal opening, tightens the vaginal canal, and helps to strengthen vaginal muscle control, which helps to increase friction during sexual activity. In this sense, vaginal tightening, while a cosmetic procedure, seeks to improve both the aesthetic appearance of the vagina and its functionality during intercourse.
Extensive vaginal relaxation and muscle weakening are conditions which seldom correct themselves. Kegel exercises may improve muscle tone, but rarely compensate entirely for lost tightness. These conditions may also include the labia (vaginal “lips”) and the perineal muscles (the area between the vulva and anus), which could also become stretched or weakened, and for which labiaplasty or perineoplasty, in combination with vaginoplasty, may be effective treatments.
How is a Vaginoplasty Performed?
Vaginoplasty procedure typically takes between one and two hours and is performed under local or general anaesthesia, depending on the extent of the work being done and the professional expertise of a licensed anaesthetist. The procedure involves joining together the stretched muscle at the back of the vagina and shortening it with dissolvable stitches. Vaginoplasty can be considered a kind of “face lift” for the vagina. Related procedures, such as labiaplasty, clitoral hood reduction, hymenoplasty, g-spot amplification, and other cosmetic procedures such as breast augmentation, are often performed simultaneously. Combining procedures is advisable as, while it may lengthen recovery time, it puts much less stress on the body than two separate surgeries, and reduces costs associated with anaesthesia and the use of surgical facilities. Price adjustments are usually available for patients undertaking multiple procedures.
Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation (LVR) & Designer Laser Vaginoplasty (DLV)
The vaginal tightening procedure can be performed using either traditional surgical techniques, where a scalpel is used to make incisions, or using specialized laser techniques, such as Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation (LVR) and Designer Laser Vaginoplasty (DLV). Designer Laser Vaginoplasty includes a number of trademarked procedures that aim to improve the appearance of vulvar structures, such as the labia, hymen, and mons pubis. Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation is an innovation of Dr. David Matlock, and its primary goal is to tighten the diameter of the vaginal canal and opening. LVR can only be performed by surgeons certified by the Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation Institute of America. These procedures are often performed simultaneously for a full vaginal transformation. During such procedures, the surgeon uses a laser, essentially a high-powered beam of light, in place of a scalpel. Because lasers cauterize as they incise, each incision is effectively sterilized and sealed as it’s made, which may reduce the risk of blood loss, infection, and scarring, as well as speeding recovery time.
All vaginal tightening procedures are accompanied by a thorough initial consultation with a qualified vaginoplasty surgeon, who will determine the type of treatment necessary to achieve the desired result. It is important to inform the consulting surgeon of any medications and existing medical conditions, as they may lead to surgical complications. A basic gynaecological exam will be performed, including blood and pregnancy tests, as well as follow-up visits as necessary to monitor recovery. Patients will be provided with detailed pre- and post-operative care instructions, in order to make each step of the procedure and recovery as smooth and comfortable as possible.
What to Expect after Surgery
It is important to have realistic expectations following vaginoplasty. Your surgeon should be able to provide you with before and after photos from consenting patients, which can give you a concrete idea of the kinds of visual results to expect. You can also expect a decrease in the diameter of the vaginal opening, as well as an increased tightness and control of the vaginal muscles, which could lead to increased friction and sensitivity during sexual activity. Vaginoplasty can often reduce or reverse the effects of stretching due to age and childbirth. Some women also report improved confidence and self-image as a result of vaginal tightening procedures.
Patients should also be aware that while vaginal tightening aims to address sexual dissatisfaction, which results from reduced friction during intercourse, it is not a solution for sexual dissatisfaction caused by a lack of arousal, orgasmic deficiency, or other types of sexual dysfunction. Because sexual satisfaction is complex and dependent on a number of factors, undergoing a vaginal tightening procedure does not guarantee sexual satisfaction.
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Related Links
Vaginoplasty
Vaginoplasty Risks & Precautions
Vaginoplasty Recovery
Vaginoplasty Cost
Vaginal Rejuvenation
Perineoplasty
IntimaLase Non-Surgical Laser Vaginal Tightening
Labiaplasty
Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI)
Hymenoplasty (Hymen Restoration)
Clitoral Unhooding
Choosing the Right Surgeon
Vaginoplasty & Vaginal Tightening FAQ
What is the difference between vaginoplasty, vaginal tightening, and vaginal rejuvenation?
Vaginoplasty is often also referred to as vaginal tightening. While vaginoplasty almost always refers to a surgical procedure, the more generic term “vaginal tightening” may include non-surgical laser procedures. Some other names for vaginoplasty include vaginal reconstruction, vaginal enhancement, and designer vaginal surgery. Vaginal rejuvenation usually encompasses other procedures, such as labiaplasty (labial reduction).
What techniques are used for vaginoplasty?
Vaginoplasty may be performed using traditional surgical techniques that involve making incisions with a scalpel, or using specialized laser techniques such as Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation (LVR) and Designer Laser Vaginoplasty (DLV), which may reduce the risks of bleeding and scarring, and expedite recovery time, since they cauterize as they make incisions, essentially sterilizing and sealing as they go.
What are Designer Laser Vaginoplasty and Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation?
Designer Laser Vaginoplasty refers to a number of trademarked procedures that use lasers instead of scalpels in order to improve the appearance of vulvar structures such as the labia, hymen, and mons pubis. Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation is an innovation of Dr. David Matlock, which uses similar laser techniques to restore tightness to the vaginal muscles and to reduce the diameter of the vaginal opening. These procedures are often performed simultaneously for a full vaginal transformation.
What happens during vaginoplasty?
The procedure typically involves making a series of incisions in the genital area in order to shorten and tighten the vaginal muscles, removing any excess mucosa (vaginal lining) in order to reduce the diameter of the vaginal opening, and trimming excess skin. The incisions are closed using dissolvable stitches.
What are the benefits of vaginoplasty?
Many women undertake vaginal tightening procedures in order to restore sensitivity lost as a result of reduced friction during sexual activity. Reducing the diameter of the vaginal opening and tightening the vaginal muscles can increase friction during intercourse and lead to greater sexual satisfaction, as well as potentially improving the appearance of the vagina, which may become stretched or saggy with age or following childbirth. Many women also report improved confidence and self-image as a result of undergoing vaginal tightening procedures.
What if I have concerns before the procedure?
Any concerns can be addressed during a thorough initial consultation with a qualified vaginoplasty specialist. At this time, you should inform your consulting physician of any existing medical conditions, as well as any medications that you may be taking, as these could result in surgical complications. A consultation is also a good opportunity to express your expectations, in order to help your surgeon decide on a treatment that is right for you.
How long does a vaginal tightening procedure take?
While vaginoplasty is considered a surgical procedure, it is performed on an outpatient basis, and usually takes between one and two hours.
How long does it take to recover from Vaginoplasty?
Full recovery from vaginoplasty typically takes up to 13 weeks, depending on the individual and the extent of work being done. Most women can return to sedentary work within a week following the procedure. You can expect some swelling, tenderness, and mild bruising, as well as mild to moderate pain and discomfort, which may be treated with prescription pain medication and cold compresses applied to the area. It is advisable to refrain from sexual intercourse and any other activity in the vaginal area, including the use of tampons, for a period of about 4-6 weeks following vaginoplasty.
Is there a risk of scarring after vaginoplasty?
Like many surgical procedures, vaginoplasty involves making incisions, and therefore carries a risk of scarring. However, it is usually minimal and confined to discrete areas, like the inside of the vagina. Specialized laser techniques, such as Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation (LVR), involve incisions made with a laser instead of a scalpel, and can greatly reduce the risk of scarring.
How much does vaginoplasty cost?
Vaginoplasty at Clinic 360 starts at $4,700 plus HST. However, the cost of vaginoplasty can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the extent of work being performed, the type of anaesthesia, and the number of simultaneous procedures desired. Booking a consultation is the best way to receive an accurate cost estimate.
Will vaginoplasty be covered by my insurance?
Vaginoplasty is considered a cosmetic and therefore elective surgical procedure, and is typically not covered by health insurance. Exceptions may be made for procedures that address medical conditions. Patients are advised to consult with their individual health insurance providers.
Are there any risks associated with vaginoplasty?
Like any surgical procedure, vaginoplasty carries some risk, mostly associated with bleeding, infection, anaesthesia, and scarring. In order to mitigate these risks, it is important to inform your consulting physician of any medications or natural supplements you are taking, as well as any previous or existing medical conditions, as these may lead to surgical complications. Your surgeon will also provide detailed pre- and post-operative care instructions in order to make your surgery and recovery as smooth as possible.
What other types of surgeries can be performed with vaginoplasty?
Some women opt to have several procedures done simultaneously with vaginoplasty. These can include related procedures, such as a labiaplasty (reduction of the vaginal “lips”) or perineoplasty (tightening of the muscles between the vaginal opening and the anus). Depending on the surgeon performing the procedure, other cosmetic procedures can also be performed, such as breast augmentation or rhinoplasty (nose job).
Does vaginal tightening hurt?
Because of the use of anaesthesia, patients should not feel any pain during the procedure. You may experience mild to moderate pain and discomfort following vaginoplasty, which may be treated with prescription pain medication and by applying cold compresses to the area. This pain should subside as the area heals. Some patients find that vaginal tightening can make sexual intercourse painful. It is important that this be considered and discussed in detail before deciding on the level of vaginal reduction to be performed.
What type of anaesthesia is used for vaginal tightening procedures?
Vaginal tightening procedures are generally performed under local anaesthetic with sedation or general anaesthetic, depending on the individual, the type of work being performed, and the professional expertise of a licensed anaesthetist.
When can I see results after vaginoplasty?
While some changes will be immediately apparent, such as the reduced diameter of the vaginal opening, you should begin to see the true results after 2-3 weeks, or after all swelling has subsided.