What is a vaginoplasty?

Vaginoplasty (also known as posterior colporrhaphy) is a procedure designed to tighten the vagina. An alternative is noninvasive vaginal tightening through heating tissues with radiofrequency waves or laser. Patients with significant laxity may not experience a benefit from these treatments and may be better candidates for surgical tightening with vaginoplasty.

Reasons patients want a vaginoplasty

After childbirth, women may complain of vaginal laxity, resulting from stretching of tissues and separating of muscles, sometimes to the point that a tampon falls out, and this lack of tone can contribute to sexual dysfunction.

What does a vaginoplasty do?

A vaginoplasty brings the separated muscles together, and the extra mucosa skin from the back side of the vagina is removed. The external skin can also be removed for a more aesthetic appearance.

Anesthesia for a vaginoplasty

While a vaginoplasty can be done under local anesthesia, many opt to have it done under general anesthesia.

Preparing for a vaginoplasty

Patients are asked to do a bowel prep prior to surgery.

Vaginoplasty procedure

Once the amount of tightening to be done is determined, a pie-shape wedge is marked to delineate the extra skin to be removed from inside the vagina. Beneath the skin, the tissues are tightened with strong sutures. Once the vaginal canal has been tightened, the mucosal skin is sutured closed. If there is external skin that protrudes, this can be reduced as well for a more aesthetic result.

What are the risks of a vaginoplasty?

Risks from vaginoplasty include infection, bleeding, pain, along with rare complications.

Recovering from a vaginoplasty

Patients may have one to two weeks of down time. They may feel a deep ache for the first few days, and there is no tampon use or intercourse for eight weeks. Depending on the amount of tightening performed, some patients may be instructed to use dilators.

What are the results of a vaginoplasty?

This procedure typically results in a tighter vaginal canal, which can help enhance sexual satisfaction.