The term “vaginal rejuvenation” can refer to a multitude of procedures, including surgeries such as vaginoplasty and labiaplasty, non-surgical laser therapies, and many more. Patients pursue vaginal rejuvenation for various reasons, from cosmetic enhancement to correction of functional problems. Even though a plethora of these solutions exist in the modern medical world, a lot of misunderstanding still surrounds them. Below, our Charleston-area plastic surgeons have debunked four of the most common myths about vaginal rejuvenation.
- Vaginal rejuvenation is only for cosmetic purposes. While vaginal rejuvenation can be performed to enhance appearance (e.g., addressing laxity, symmetry, or pigmentation issues), many women pursue this type of procedure for functional purposes. Among their numerous other benefits, vaginal rejuvenation solutions can combat urinary incontinence, pelvic floor issues, and dryness.*
- Vaginal rejuvenation is invasive. “Vaginal rejuvenation” describes not only surgical procedures, but non-surgical options, as well. For instance, vaginoplasty is an intensive surgery employed to tighten the vaginal canal, whereas the ThermiVa® device uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to tighten tissue in a non-invasive manner.
- Vaginal rejuvenation is painful. Women often assume that procedures performed in their intimate area will be uncomfortable. In reality, however, patients typically do not find these treatments especially painful. Anesthesia is almost always used for major surgeries, and systems like ThermiVa® are often described as “virtually painless.”
- Vaginal rejuvenation is just for the external vagina (i.e., the labia). Contrary to this belief, different vaginal rejuvenation options are tailored to treat both the external (i.e., labiaplasty) and internal (i.e., vaginoplasty) genitalia. Techniques can also be performed together to achieve a combination of these goals.
It is normal to have questions prior to any kind of treatment. To learn more about vaginal rejuvenation, we welcome you to contact Plastic Surgery of the Carolinas.