What is Vaginal Rejuvenation

The term vaginal rejuvenation refers to several different procedures and is sometimes referred to as female genital plastic surgery. There are also nonsurgical, minimally invasive options for vaginal rejuvenation. Many women are interested in vaginal rejuvenation after experiencing changes through childbearing, hormonal changes, and aging.

You may consider vaginal rejuvenation if you’ve experienced any of the following:

  • Vaginal laxity, the loss of vaginal tightness
  • Stress urinary incontinence, the involuntary leakage of urine
  • Loss of vaginal lubrication
  • A decrease in sexual sensation
  • Loss of tone in the labia majora, the larger outer folds of the vulva

When You Should Not Have Vaginal Rejuvenation

While vaginal rejuvenation is a viable option for some who experience discomfort or dissatisfaction with the appearance of their vagina, it’s not for everyone. You should not have vaginal rejuvenation if:

  • You’re trying to get pregnant
  • You have an IUD
  • You have a cervical, uterine, or vaginal infection
  • You have cervical or uterine cancer
  • You’re suffering from pelvic inflammatory disease
  • You have a disorder of the uterus or endometrium

Be sure to meet with your doctor to discuss your personal health history, your current circumstances, and your current symptoms to determine if vaginal rejuvenation is right for you.

Different Types of Vaginal Rejuvenation

Depending on the method used, vaginal rejuvenation may be performed as an open surgery or as a minimally invasive procedure. The most common surgeries are:

  • Labiaplasty — This surgery may be an option if you’ve experienced pain from twisting and tugging of the labia, itching, irritation, or other symptoms. The goal of this procedure is to reduce the labia minora and remove extra tissue.
  • Labia majoraplasty — This procedure is designed to reduce the size of the outer, hair-bearing labia majora and is for patients who feel their labia majora are too large. During the surgery, the surgeon removes two slight crescents of skim from the inner portion of each labium.

Minimally invasive options for vaginal rejuvenation include radiofrequency and laser treatments. Both treatments heat the tissues and are usually performed as an inpatient procedure. Radiofrequency treatments are performed without anesthesia and laser treatments of the vaginal canal may be done without anesthesia, but external treatment is typically done with topical anesthesia. Typically, you will not need post-treatment medications for these procedures.

Risks & Recovery After Vaginal Rejuvenation

While the success rates for vaginal rejuvenation are very high, generally around 90%, there are certain risks associated with vaginal rejuvenation procedures. These risks may include:

  • Bleeding
  • Hematoma, a solid swelling of clotted blood within the tissues
  • Infection
  • Scarring
  • Under-resection
  • Over-resection

If you feel you experience any of these symptoms after the surgery, contact your doctor immediately.

You will be able to return home after the surgery. Anesthesia is used for vaginal rejuvenation surgeries, and recovery varies between the different types of procedures.

  • Labiaplasty — Recovery takes about a week, with restrictions on physical activities for four to six weeks. Swelling can last longer but is typically gone after six weeks.
  • Labia majoraplasty — Recovery takes about a week with restrictions on physical activities for four to six weeks.

How Advanced Gynecology Can Help

For more information, schedule an appointment today or call 706-389-9228 to speak with one of our patient coordinators.

For more information, schedule an appointment today or call 706-389-9228 to speak with one of our patient coordinators.

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