A show of hands, how many of you would get vagina rejuvenation surgery? I posted this question to my online Mommy group and was surprised to see the responses. The women, all new mothers, candidly opened up about tears that never healed properly, leaking when sneezing, and things looking a little funny – the sort of topics that you don’t usually share – even with the closest of friends. People don’t talk about these issues, so the solutions are also shrouded in mystery and confusion. The biggest misconception about vaginal rejuvenation is that it’s entirely cosmetic and, therefore, unnecessary. In reality, it is a collection of procedures to help women regain vagina health after giving birth.
So what is vaginal rejuvenation surgery, and what does it do really? To answer these questions, we go to Dr. Darren Lazare, an obstetrician and specialist in female pelvic medicine and vagina reconstructive surgery:
On Vaginal Rejuvenation
Vagina rejuvenation is an umbrella term that covers several surgical procedures, including vaginoplasty, labiaplasty, and Viveve. A woman may have one or more of these procedures, depending on their health and aesthetic goals.
Designer Vagina, Labiaplasty and Vaginoplasty
Also known as designer vagina, labiaplasty is a cosmetic procedure that involves reshaping the lips inside the vagina. New advances in technology allow plastic surgeons to use lasers to contour the labia instead of amputating. Labiaplasty with laser creates a sleeker and more symmetrical vagina appearance. While popular for aesthetic reasons, labiaplasty also treats enlarged tissue that causes discomfort during physical and sexual activity.
Often accompanied by labiaplasty, a vaginoplasty procedure surgically tightens the vagina by reducing the size of the actual vagina. This procedure is used to reconstruct the vagina, perineum, and supporting muscles. The benefits of vaginoplasty are many, including improving bladder control and sexual intimacy and correcting damaged tissue caused by pregnancy and childbirth.
On Viveve
Viveve is the non-surgical alternative that also treats urinary incontinence and vaginal laxity. A small probe is inserted into the vagina, which delivers radiofrequency waves to stimulate new collagen growth. The result is a noticeable tightening of the vagina for greater bladder control and improved sexual intimacy.
Surgical vs Non-Surgical
A non-surgical procedure like Viveve is a one-time treatment that requires minimal downtime, as opposed to vaginoplasty and labiaplasty, which require 6 to 8 weeks of recovery. Surgical procedures produce a more dramatic tightening, and for many women, surgery is the only way to achieve their functional and aesthetic goals.
Normalizing Vagina Health
As a mother, it can become normal to put your babies’ and even your significant other’s needs first – and to put yourself last. It’s a culture of sacrifice that has become an expectation. But this needs to change. We’ve all seen the social media posts with bubble baths or haircuts with the #selfcare caption. Since when did basic necessity become self-care?
In the same wave of thinking, mothers have come to expect that orgasm and arousal changes, pain during sex, leaking when basically doing nothing, and poorly healed tears are just the price of having a baby. However, like haircuts or bathing, sexual health is a basic necessity. Mothers, as much as they are often compared to superheroes, are human too and deserve the opportunity to take care of themselves.
Schedule a Consultation
It is time to bring vaginal rejuvenation into the conversation of basic health. Like a chipped tooth or a broken bone, vagina health is an essential part of women’s health that should not be ignored. The shift starts by educating yourself on these healthcare options and understanding that it’s okay to put your needs first.
Book your consultation with Dr. Darren Lazare and find out which vaginal rejuvenation procedure is right for you.
