Plastic surgery plays a big role in body changes that were once unheard of. Vaginal rejuvination is still a fairly rare procedure, but is slowly on the rise among women in the United States.
The increase in the number of vaginal rejuvenation operations stems from the variety of available techniques, experts say, but the statistics are still small compared to other plastic surgeries.
“Vaginal rejuvenation” is actually an umbrella term that can apply to several regions in female genitalia, since childbirth, age or even genetics can affect various areas in terms of appearance or sensation. Related procedures include:
• Vaginoplasty. This operation tightens the vaginal canal by reducing the amount of internal vaginal mucosa. The adjustment increases vaginal muscle tone and strength, which affects pleasure during intercourse. Recovery time is generally four to six weeks.
• Labiaplasty. This operation, which often employs laser surgery, reduces the size of the labia majora and minora, which can feel irritated when excess tissue protrudes. The surgery removes this excess tissue, which may have come about through childbirth, aging, or simple genetics. Recovery time is generally short.
• Perineoplasty. This laser operation strengthens the perineal muscles, which are located between the vaginal opening and the anus. The damage can be caused by childbirth and can lead to reduced sensation during intercourse, as well as a “gaping” external appearance on the vagina. The surgery, which restores the perineum to its original size, reduces the size of the vaginal opening.
• Hymenoplasty. This is a lesser-known operation in which a surgeon restores a woman’s hymen to its “virginal” state, often for religious or cultural reasons. Recovery from this surgery generally takes six weeks.
• G-spot amplification. This procedure involves injecting collagen into a woman’s vaginal G-spot as a way of temporarily enlarging it and possibly increasing sexual pleasure. It’s a relatively painless procedure that first employs anesthetic. The added collagen expands the area to the size of a quarter – enlarging the spot without making it large enough to be uncomfortable or disruptive in everyday life. The body absorbs the collagen within about four months.
• Mons pubis rejuvenation. Childbirth and age can result in weight gain that adds bulge to the pubic mound. Surgeons can now “nip and tuck” this area, performing liposuction on the mound to remove excess fat, followed by a “lift” that removes sagging skin. Recovery period is short.
Despite the variety of procedures available, and the purpose they may serve, vaginal rejuvenation surgeries are still on the fringe. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported only around 1,000 rejuvenations performed in the United States in 2006, the most recent statistics available.