At what age is vaginal plastic surgery performed?
Vaginal plastic surgery is generally carried out on women that have previously given birth and are having problems with subsequent loosening of vaginal muscles. In other words, this kind of operation can be performed on women who are past childbearing age and who have also given birth.
Sometimes this procedure is performed when the hymen (vaginal membrane) is too strong and interferes with sexual relations or menstruation. In these cases, the procedure is performed at earlier ages.
This surgery can also be performed at any age if a woman’s labia are too large or are sagging. This surgery is primarily performed for aesthetic reasons.
Is the procedure more frequently performed for aesthetic reasons or for medical reasons?
We often see both cases in the patients that come to us. However, we see more patients for medical reasons such as vaginal loosening and incontinence. Vaginal plastic surgery is also desirable for women who have given birth more than once, who have given birth to a large baby (3,800 g or more) or where forceps or vacuum extraction was performed during birth. These patients can benefit from aesthetic correction of a sagging bladder or rectum as well as loose vaginal muscles caused by birth and aging. These issues can cause problems during sexual relations. These operations are desirable when vaginal looseness causes a reduction in sexual pleasure or to prevent the sound of air released during sexual relations.
What methods are used for vaginal plastic surgery?
Patients undergoing vaginal plastic surgery generally prefer surgical methods in which the surgical procedure is short with a rapid recovery period so that the patient can return to their daily routine as soon as possible. Of these, a method known as TVT has become prominent. TVT is often applied in cases where the patient experiences vaginal loosening, sagging bladder or incontinence. Previously, patients suffering from incontinence would be treated by surgically opening the abdominal cavity. TVT is a method that puts an end to these outdated surgical techniques. Large and sagging labia are treated with plastic surgery which uses incisions and special stitches.
What is each method used for?
Two different methods are used. The first is called ‘vaginal tightening surgery’ and the second is called ‘vaginal rejuvenation surgery’.
1- Vaginal tightening surgery:
Vaginal muscles can become loose due to aging and birthing. This is a significant problem that has a negative effect on both appearance and sexual relations. Trauma that is structural or occurs after giving birth causes muscles and soft tissue in the lower genital region to stretch, expand and sag. The normal tightness and firmness of the vaginal muscles is reduced, which affects the control and support provided by these muscles. As a result the internal and external size of the vagina increases, causing a reduction of sexual satisfaction for both partners.
A vaginal tightening procedure surgically narrows the vaginal canal, correcting stretched muscles.
Who is it for?
This surgery is desirable for women whose vaginal muscles have loosened after birth or with age.
What is the goal?
The goal is to apply surgery to narrow the vaginal canal and improve aesthetic appearance caused by stretching of the vagina. Sexual pleasure is increased because the vagina is narrowed. The surgery also eliminates incontinence that some women experience when laughing, sneezing or coughing, a condition that is increasingly common with older age.
How is it done?
Local or general anesthesia is administered based on the patient’s preference. The operation lasts 1-3 hours depending on the type of procedure that is carried out. The incidence rate of surgical complications occurring during or after the procedure is less than 18 percent. It can be administered together with other plastic surgery such as liposuction or breast enlargement.
Recovery
Patients can return to their daily routine and to their work in 1-7 days, depending on the type of surgery administered. Sexual activity can be resumed in 3-4 weeks, also depending on the type of surgical procedure.
2- Vaginal rejuvenation surgery:
Aesthetic correction can be carried out on the pubic region, labia majora and labia minora, the inner and outer lips of the vagina, which perform functions outside the vagina. Many women complain that their labia are large or sagging. Although this does not affect sexual performance, this situation does affect self-esteem and makes it harder to wear tight underwear and pants.
Who is it for?
Women with labia that are smaller or larger than normal can elect for this surgery. Some women with large labia experience problems such as delayed orgasms and as a result may wish to have this surgery done.
What is the goal?
The goal of vaginal rejuvenation surgery is make the vagina appear aesthetically beautiful, normal and young. This procedure can improve self-image and restore a healthy sexual life.
How is it done?
Tissue is transferred to labia that are loose or smaller than normal. Large and sagging labia are corrected with a surgical procedure. Sometimes excessive fatty tissues can accumulate on the insides of the legs and on the mons pubis, which is the area above the vagina. In this case, liposuction can be administered. Local anesthesia is usually administered during surgery.
Recovery
Recovery is quite rapid because this is a basic surgical procedure that is just carried out with local anesthesia. Patients can return to their daily routine in 1-2 days.
Has there been an increase in the demand for vaginal plastic surgery in recent years?
Yes, the demand for vaginal plastic surgery has increased in recent years. Demand for these types of operations has increased because of improvements in surgical procedures, because women these days are more aware and because their quality of life is more important to them.
