What's the Deal with Vaginal Rejuvenation Treatment?

Vaginal rejuvenation is an umbrella term that refers to a variety of vaginal corrective techniques. Your vagina and its surrounding tissues may lose strength and suppleness due to factors like childbearing, ageing, and heredity. This causes a number of problems, including incontinence (leaking pee), dry vagina, sagging skin, and diminished sexual pleasure.

Many women or those who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) turn to vaginal rejuvenation to treat these issues and restore the appearance and functionality of their vagina.

Currently, vaginal rejuvenation is being done both using surgical and non-surgical methods (by means of lasers and other energy-based devices). Vaginal rejuvenation involves removing the rugae and other fibrous tissue from around the vagina, which makes it smoother and more elastic.

This procedure can be done on an outpatient basis at a doctor's office or hospital.

Who Can Do Vaginal Rejuvenation?

Vaginal rejuvenation can be performed by a board-certified gynecologist, plastic surgeon, dermatologist or urologist depending on your needs and desires.

What Can You Expect After Vaginal Rejuvenation?

After vaginal rejuvenation, you'll be able to resume normal activities within a few days.

You can resume sexual intercourse in about a week and expect some discomfort for the first few days after your procedure. This may include bleeding from your vagina or genital area. You should avoid sexual intercourse if possible during this time period until your symptoms subside completely.

Are You a Candidate for Vaginal Rejuvenation?

People undergo vaginal rejuvenation to address symptoms like vaginal looseness, lack of lubrication and decreased sexual intimacy which is frequently brought on by having children or menopause. In addition to reducing these symptoms, it can also help with:

• Loose skin surrounding the vagina.

• Urinary incontinence. 

• Vaginal dryness.

• Reduced libido.

• Painful sexual intercourse (dyspareunia).

• Loss of sexual enjoyment and feeling.

• Inadequate self-esteem or a lack of confidence.

What are the Risks of Vaginal rejuvenation?

Vaginal rejuvenation is a safe procedure. The risk of complications related to the procedure or any associated treatment is very low, and most patients can expect a successful outcome.

However, there are some risks that you should be aware of before undergoing vaginal rejuvenation:

• At times, women who have had radiation therapy to the pelvis may not be able to have a vaginal rejuvenation surgery due to an increased risk of developing cancer from residual radiation in their bodies (see our full article on radiation safety).

• Women who have had surgery on any other part of their body—such as breast augmentation—should not undergo vaginal rejuvenation procedures until they’ve recovered fully from those surgeries and healed completely.

How Long Does it Take to Recover from Vaginal Rejuvenation?

Vaginal rejuvenation depends on the procedure you undergo. For example, if you have the V-lift procedure and are required to take antibiotics for 7 days, then your recovery time will be two weeks.

However, most women do not need such a long recovery period because they can resume normal activities in just 1-2 days after their surgery.

How Much Does Vaginal Rejuvenation Cost?

The cost of vaginal rejuvenation varies by procedure. Costs depend on the provider and the procedure.

Vaginal rejuvenation is not covered by most insurance companies because it's considered cosmetic surgery and not medically necessary; however, if you have a condition known as vaginal atrophy (a thinning of the inner lining of your vagina), then this may be an option for you.

Conclusion

Vaginal rejuvenation can improve sexual health in women. It tightens the vagina and may enhance sexual pleasure. It may help with urinary incontinence, as well.