Top Questions about Vaginal Rejuvenation
This is a delicate subject to talk about. There are many different terms to describe a vagina, such as vajayjay, flower, Minnie, front bottom. Many women don’t like to use the technical names or worry that when they do, it sounds sexualized. With so much over thinking just over what to call it, actually talking about vaginas and the problems that women face as we age is therefore delicate. These are issues that need to come out of the delicate shadows and into conversations between friends. The more we talk about these issues the better we are at dealing with problems associated with them. And it’s important to take away the shame and embarrassment. Drop those barriers and women can move forward and ask for help when they have problems such as urinary incontinence, pain during intercourse and vaginal dryness.
The female genitals take a hammering throughout life. Periods, sexual intercourse, babies and birth control implements all contribute to ‘trauma’ of the vaginal walls and inner muscles.
What is Vaginal Rejuvenation?
Vaginal Rejuvenation is the term used to describe cosmetic and plastic procedures that involve the vaginal area. They include: labiaplasty, clitoral hood reduction, urinary incontinence, monsplasty and vaginoplasty (vaginal tightening).
What is Labiaplasty?
This is a common vaginal rejuvenation procedure and involves reducing the size and shape of the inner lips, known as the labia minora. As women age, the inner lips can elongate and droop. This can cause discomfort, itching, irritation and self-consciousness. Some women chose to have them reduced to feel more confidant in themselves. A labiaplasty is a surgical procedure that involves cutting away the extra lip area.
What is a Clitoral Hood Reduction?
A clitoral hood reduction involves reshaping the skin that surrounds the clitoris. This can be for medical and cosmetic reasons. Large hoods can make cleaning the area hard, and irritation and infections can become common. Injury and trauma and congenital disorders can also affect the area. It is a procedure that can be done in the office and under local anesthetic.
What is Vaginoplasty?
This is a procedure that tightens the vagina helping with pain and discomfort during intercourse and urinary incontinence. There is a surgical procedure which involves bringing the separated muscles together – this is for severe cases. Another option is a nonsurgical option called diVa which involves inserting a wand like device into the vagina, and it rotates sending laser energy at the vaginal lining. The tissue is partly removed and replaced by rejuvenated tissue that is thicker, softer and helps with dryness and laxity which in turn helps with pain and discomfort.
How Does Vaginal Rejuvenation Work?
When vaginal rejuvenation involves a surgical procedure, there are a number of steps.
- Research the procedure and book a consultation with a plastic surgeon. Aesthetica provides COMPLIMENTARY consults for all patients.
- During the consult, be open and honest about your reasons for wanting vaginal rejuvenation and explain any symptoms you are suffering from.
- Check your calendar for the best time to have the procedure – plan for your recovery time and make sure you have someone on hand to help you.
- On the day of your surgery, have a driving buddy to get you to the hospital or office and make sure they know when to pick you up.
- Take time to recover and follow the plan your surgeon creates for your recovery. Ask for help when needed and let others do the work for as long as you need it.
If you are having a non-surgical procedure, the steps from above still remain the same, but you won’t have as long a recovery time. The diVa treatment is only approximately an hour long from arriving to leaving the office. You should still take some time to rest after the treatment so plan in extra time.
What Questions Should I Ask During a Vaginal Rejuvenation Consult?
Your surgeon will be happy to see you have researched the procedures and have lots of questions to ask. Here are a sample of questions you should be asking:
- Are you a board certified plastic surgeon?
- How many vaginal rejuvenation surgeries have you performed?
- Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure? If so, at which hospitals?
- Am I a good candidate for vaginal rejuvenation?
- What do you need from me to ensure the procedure goes well?
- How long is the recovery period?
- What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
- How are complications handled?
- How long after the procedure can I have sexual intercourse, and will I experience sensitivity?
- Will I be able to have a vaginal childbirth after vaginal rejuvenation, and if I do would this affect what has been done?
- What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my vaginal rejuvenation procedure?
- Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for this procedure?
- What are the costs for the different vaginal rejuvenation procedures you recommend?
These questions are great starting points to discussing the procedure and bringing up new questions and concerns. Your surgeon should make you feel comfortable and safe. If you have any doubts, get another consult!
How Much Does Vaginal Rejuvenation Cost?
Costs are different depending on which vaginal rejuvenation procedure you have. Prices will range from $3,000 up to $10,000 depending whether multiple treatments are required and if it is an outpatient surgery. Hospital costs include use of the treatment room, anesthesia administration, and surgical staff as well as your surgeon’s fee.
Does Vaginal Rejuvenation Help with Urinary Incontinence?
As women age – and particularly after childbirth – the pelvic muscles and vagina can become stretched and weakened. For some women this can lead to urinary incontinence. Jumping up and down, sneezing and struggling to get to a toilet in time are symptoms of weakened pelvic muscles. Kegel exercises help, but sometimes more is needed. The diVa system is used to treat urinary incontinence by tightening the muscles and promoting new stronger tissue within the vagina. It can change the life of women who suffer with urinary incontinence and vaginal pain.
Can Vaginal Rejuvenation Help With Sexual Satisfaction?
The diVa system can definitely help with issues such as vaginal pain during intercourse, increased dryness and difficulties achieving orgasm. As mentioned above, it rejuvenates the vaginal wall which makes intercourse more comfortable and pleasurable. Having a labiaplasty can increase sexual satisfaction through increased self-confidence and a decrease in pain during intercourse too.
Of course, patients won’t know this straight away because they should avoid intercourse for around 30 days post surgery and 5 days post diVa treatment.
Ready to feel sexy again?
During the stay at home order, we invite you to schedule a VIRTUAL consultation with Dr. Chang or one of the cosmetic laser and injection nurses to learn how you can stay home AND stay beautiful. Dr. Phillip Chang is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Northern Virginia near Leesburg, Virginia and an expert in a wide variety of cosmetic treatments.
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