Female Genital Rejuvenation

With age and childbirth, the female genitalia develop certain changes which include loss of volume of the labia majora, protruding lips of the labia minora and laxity of the vaginal walls. These can cause physical problems due to excessive rubbing during intercourse and certain forms of exercise. In addition, women can feel uncomfortable in swimwear due to excessive bulkiness of the labia minora or majora.

Female genital rejuvenation comprises of a spectrum of surgeries to restore the youthful appearance of the genitalia. These include;

1.Labiaplasty

2.Fat grafting for labia majora

3.Labia majora reduction

4.Vaginal tightening

1. Labiaplasty: Labiaplasty surgery aims at reshaping bulky and protruding labia to a more pleasing size and shape. The procedure excises excess tissue along pre planned markings to create labia minora that are symmetrical and well hidden in the folds of the labia majora.

This not only improves the genital aesthetics but also improve or relieve symptoms due to bulky labia such as discomfort or friction during exercise or sexual intercourse and visibility in tight clothing.

What is the recovery period after labiaplasty?

Labiaplasty can be performed under local or general anaesthesia depending on the patients preference. The procedure normally takes about 45 min to 1 hr and the patient id discharged on the same day. Exercises should be avoided till full healing occurs which is at about 2 to 3 wks. Sexual abstinence is recommended for about 6 wks.

The outcome of your operation will be partly determined by shape, size and symmetry of your labia minora and labia majora before the surgery. No two individuals have the same shape, size and colour of the labia and hence there will be variations in individual results after surgery too.

It is important to understand that not all genital symptoms will be improved by labiaplasty surgery. Labiaplasty surgery alters the labia but not the other tissues or the physiology in the area.

Who is a candidate?

A labiaplasty can be performed in case the patient has excessively large and bulky labia minora which are causing problems in wearing certain pieces of clothing due to friction.

Women who experience pain at the time of sexual intercourse due to the enlarged labia can also benefit from this procedure.

It is not recommended in people under the age of 18 yrs as the labia are still developing and the surgery can cause permanent impairment in growth.

2. Fat grafting for labia majora:

One of the changes associated with aging is the loss of volume of the labia majora giving it a shrunken, wrinkled appearance. This, coupled with increase in size of the labia minora leads to an unsightly protrusion of the minora.

Volume restoration of the labia majora can be accomplished using fat harvested from areas such as the abdomen or inner thighs. The result is a fuller, youthful majora which conceal the minora.

The procedure is done as a part of genital rejuvenation as a day care surgery.

3. Vaginal tightening:

Laxity of the vaginal tissues usually occurs following childbirth. Many women complain of lack of sexual satisfaction as a result of this.

Vaginal tightening can be accomplished by surgical techniques or with the use of specialised lasers.The surgery involves the excision of excess mucosa from the vaginal walls and repair of lax musculature. This is done under local or regional anaesthesia as a day care procedure. After the procedure, the patient can resume normal activities after a few days rest. Intercourse is to be avoided for a period of 6 wks after the procedure.

LASERS work by inducing collagen synthesis in the vaginal wall. The result is vaginal wall tightening without excision of excess tissue.