The appearance of your face and body aren’t the only things that evolve throughout the years. As you may have noticed or even just wondered about, your vagina also ages and changes, both in appearance and in function. Depending on your personal experience, these changes can negatively impact numerous areas of your life, from creating a sense of insecurity and lack of confidence or feelings of dissatisfaction in your intimate relationships.
Fortunately, there are options to help restore the more youthful appearance and function of your vaginal area so that you can feel more confident with your overall feminine well-being. Today’s surgical and non-surgical vaginal rejuvenation treatments can help improve not only the appearance of the vaginal tissues but also increase sensation and sexual pleasure and, if needed, improve urinary incontinence concerns.
Vaginal rejuvenation is a broad term that encompasses a multitude of surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments aimed to improve the size, shape, and function of the vagina.
These procedures are commonly used to reverse the changes that can accompany pregnancy, childbirth, weight loss or gain, genetics, certain medications, the natural aging process, lack of estrogen from menopause, and cancer treatments, which can decrease estrogen and limit the ability to use hormone replacements. Vaginal rejuvenation is also an alternative for patients who are not candidates for hormone-based therapy to help their symptoms.
As women, we may spend more time than we like to admit making sure that we look and feel our best, but many women don’t pay the same attention to their more intimate areas. Many women have been conditioned to simply accept some of their feminine concerns as “facts of life” and others may feel uncomfortable or embarrassed to talk about them. The result is that these women simply deal with the issues, unaware that simple treatments can improve their confidence and personal relationships. Most of my patients find that after initiating the conversation, they are glad they did!
The benefits of vaginal rejuvenation vary based on the procedure and the initial concern of the patient, but overall, it can improve your overall quality of life. The most common benefits include:
If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions, you may be a candidate for vaginal rejuvenation:
There are several vaginal rejuvenation treatments available, including surgical and non-surgical options, with each having its own unique benefits and risks to evaluate. I use ThermiVa® in the office as it is a proven, non-surgical vaginal rejuvenation treatment that uses radiofrequency technology to safely and comfortably tighten the tissue in the labia and vaginal canal.
During the treatment session, the small ThermiVa handpiece delivers gentle radiofrequency waves to the targeted tissue. These treatments are quick, taking only about 30 minutes, and unlike more invasive surgical options, such as vaginoplasty or labiaplasty, ThermiVa treatments are painless, requiring no numbing or downtime.
You can often see noticeable results after the initial treatment. That being said, I typically recommend three treatments scheduled one month apart for best results. Results last for approximately nine months to one year, so I recommend yearly follow-up treatments.
Are you bothered by the amount of fullness in the mons pubis (pubic mound) area, just below the panty line and over the pubic bone? If so, a “pubic lift” (also known as monsplasty) can easily be performed in the office using liposuction and local numbing to improve the appearance. In cases of smaller bulges, CoolSculpting is an effective non-surgical option. Additionally, if there is extreme laxity in the area, the skin may be excised to improve results further.
Other Surgical vaginal rejuvenation treatments include:
Vaginoplasty is a surgical procedure used to repair or tighten the vagina while under local or general anesthesia. Downtime following vaginoplasty varies depending on the extent of the procedure. You may be able to return to your daily routine within one to two weeks, although it’s recommended to abstain from all physical activity, including sex, for at least six weeks. Complete recovery may take several months.
Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure that changes the size or shape of the labia or vaginal “lips.” While it’s frequently combined with vaginoplasty, it can be performed as a stand-alone procedure. The results of labiaplasty are permanent, but the appearance of your labia may continue to change with aging or future childbirth. As a surgical procedure, there will be downtime following a labiaplasty. Most of the swelling will subside within the first six weeks, but it may take several months for complete recovery.
Kegels and other pelvic floor exercises can help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles to improve urinary incontinence and sexual function at the most basic level. You can do them from the comfort of your home, but improper techniques could make your problems worse. Click here for a step-by-step guide for women on how to do Kegel exercises effectively.
Many women are too embarrassed to discuss their symptoms of vaginal discomfort and are unaware of the available treatment options. During your discreet and thorough consultation process, Dr. Eliopoulos, with her over two decades of experience as a board-certified plastic surgeon, and her team are here to help you start the conversation and determine if this treatment is right for you.
ThermiVA offers a non-surgical alternative to help you achieve your desired results without the cost and downtime associated with traditional surgery. Chelmsford vaginal rejuvenation provider Dr. Dina Eliopoulos aims to provide the best care and patient satisfaction possible at her practice in the Chelmsford area.
Plastic surgery isn’t just about people changing their look—it's about making you feel good about being you. Whether you need breast augmentation, a breast lift, liposuction or Botox, Dr. Dina Eliopoulos is here for you. For over 20 years, patients have sought out the care and results that Dr. Eliopoulos can create in her beautiful Chelmsford, Massachusetts office. The peace of mind that comes from a board-certified, residency- and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon is hard to parallel. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Eliopoulos today to experience the difference for yourself.
