Despite its prevalence, vaginal laxity is an issue that many women feel ashamed of or uncomfortable discussing. Unfortunately, this causes many people to suffer in quiet rather than seeking a solution to their condition. The vaginal walls are composed of fibrous material and collagen, which provide them flexibility and strength. When a woman gives birth vaginally, she puts enormous strain on the vaginal walls, causing stretching that can diminish both sensation and tightness in the area. This is referred to as vaginal laxity. Although it is often connected with childbirth, vaginal laxity can develop as a result of menopause, weight fluctuation, biological aging, or other reasons over time. Vaginal laxity, regardless of its etiology, can harm a woman's emotional health and well-being by making intercourse unpleasant or unpleasant. There are three treatment options for varying degrees of vaginal laxity to assist women to understand their options.

 

What is Vaginal Laxity?

The Vagina, a female reproductive system organ, is a muscular tube with elastic tissues. The vaginal muscles, like other elastic tissues in the body, stretch and relax during intercourse or birth, and then return to their former position. However, the muscles of the vagina, like other tissues in the body, lose their flexibility as we age. Vaginal elasticity refers to the vagina's loosening of elasticity as a result of overstretching and aging. It is an ill-defined and neglected condition. Approximately 84% of gynecologists estimate that their patients' vaginal laxity is underestimated.

 

Vaginal Laxity and a Decrease in Vaginal Lubrication

Hormonal changes, cancer therapy, and the natural aging process can cause the vagina to dry out, making intercourse unpleasant. Both Radiofrequency and laser vaginal treatments can improve vaginal lubrication. Better lubrication combined with stronger vaginal muscles can result in an improvement in both comfort and pleasure during sexual activity, leading to a more satisfying experience.

 

Vaginal Laxity Causes

Vaginal laxity can be caused by several causes. Among them are:

• Aging. With age, tissues lose elasticity. Because the vagina is also a muscular canal, it loses flexibility with age, leading to vaginal laxity.
• Childbirth. Vaginal or instrumented birth may result in vaginal laxity. It can also be caused by numerous births.
• Underlying medical conditions. Vaginal laxity can also be caused by several underlying medical issues. Marfan syndrome, for example, affects connective tissue.
• Trauma to the vagina. Injury to the vagina, as well as the insertion of big devices or foreign bodies into the vagina, overstretches the vaginal muscles, causing looseness.
• Menopause. Menopausal women experience vaginal laxity due to a decrease in estrogen levels.
• Health issues. Several underlying medical disorders also diminish estrogen levels. Chronic kidney illness, pituitary gland malfunction, premature ovarian failure, and Turner syndrome are examples of these.

 

Vaginal Laxity Risk Factors

The following are some of the risk factors for vaginal laxity:

• Underlying diseases. Underlying conditions, such as neurological disorders and collagen-related conditions like Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, increase the incidence of vaginal laxity.
• Hormonal imbalances. Hormonal problems manifest themselves at many levels. Placental hormones affect collagen throughout pregnancy, influencing the tissues. Reduced estrogen levels during menopause may induce vaginal laxity.
• Direct influence on the vagina. Vaginal laxity can be caused by a direct action on the vaginal muscles. Vaginal laxity can occur during normal or instrumented childbirth (through forceps or vacuum). The insertion of big devices or foreign objects also raises the danger of this illness. Women who have many births at the same time are more likely to develop vaginal laxity than women who have a single birth.
• Other factors. Women who smoke or chew tobacco are more likely to develop vaginal laxity. Furthermore, women who participate in physical activities such as gymnastics or diving are more prone to vaginal laxity.

 

Vaginal Laxity Symptoms

The following symptoms may be experienced by women who have vaginal laxity:

Sexual issues. Depending on the type of laxity, vaginal laxity causes a variety of sexual difficulties in women. Pain during sexual activity, vaginal pain, and insertion pain can all be caused by vulvar laxity. Vaginal introital laxity can affect sexual arousal level, orgasmic response, and latency.

Symptoms of genitourinary origin. Genital organ prolapse or pelvic relaxation syndrome are other terms for vaginal laxity. It can induce a variety of genitourinary symptoms, including rectocele and cystocele development, voiding dysfunction, stress urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and overactive bladder disease.

Psychological issues. Several cases of vaginal laxity are both functional and aesthetic. It has the potential to induce psychological issues in women. Females suffering from vaginal laxity are concerned about their femininity and self-image. Furthermore, girls with vulvar laxity are frightened to wear tight-fitting garments because of noticeable labial folds. Sexual discomfort and low self-esteem may arise.

 

Vaginal Laxity Diagnosis

There is no precise test for identifying vaginal laxity. The doctor may attempt to discover the origin of your symptoms by ruling out certain conditions using various testing. Among the options are:

• Physical examination. To understand your situation, the doctor conducts a thorough physical examination. The doctor may inquire about previous medical illnesses, current medications, including OTC medications and supplements, and traumatic vaginal events. To exclude body dysmorphic disorder, the doctor will also inquire about your behavioral history. The doctor may also examine the genital anatomy and look for signs of prolapse.
• Urodynamic testing. Urodynamic testing is used to exclude urological problems including voiding dysfunction or stress urinary incontinence.

 

Vaginal Laxity Treatment

Kegel Exercise

Kegel exercises are frequently prescribed as a first step in the treatment of minor vaginal laxity. Kegel exercises can help strengthen the muscles in the pelvic floor in women who have recently given birth. Kegel exercises, however, will not help women with real vaginal laxity since they do not treat the tissue within the vagina or the vaginal wall.

 

Vaginoplasty

Vaginoplasty, also known as vaginal tightening, is a gynecology operation for pelvic floor reconstruction in women who have severe laxity or looseness of the vaginal canal and underlying musculature, most typically as a result of delivery but also as a result of the natural aging process. Substantial vaginal stretching occurs during childbirth, and the structure of the vagina does not always return to its pre-pregnancy size. The pelvic floor muscles, also known as the levator muscles, are flat shelf-like muscles situated along both sides of the female pelvis that stretch when the baby's head emerges through the vaginal base, a process known as crowning. Congenital hypermobility syndrome patients' vaginal soft tissues can also become considerably overstretched. Most women experience decreased sensitivity in the vaginal area, which causes many women to feel dissatisfied after sexual intercourse. Laser vaginal tightening treatment may be utilized for women who have modest symptoms and is a regularly performed treatment for vaginal laxity. It perfectly complements a vaginoplasty procedure for ideal symptom relief and a vaginal look. In women with overly big labia, vaginoplasty might be paired with labia reduction surgery.

Vaginoplasty surgery, often known as vaginal rejuvenation, tightens and strengthens the vaginal walls and tissues. The technique is used to reshape and tighten the tissue walls of the vagina, allowing women to attain a more youthful appearance, raise self-esteem, and improve sexual satisfaction through improved function. All patients should be in excellent health and have reasonable expectations about what vaginoplasty surgery can do. The operation is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia to ensure a pleasant and comfortable experience throughout. Vaginoplasty achieves the best results by improving and strengthening the vaginal tissues. The technique entails eliminating extra vaginal tissue and tightening the muscular walls to create a more attractive vaginal area.

 

Radiofrequency Vaginal Rejuvenation

Radiofrequency is used to warm the vaginal and vulvar linings. It rebuilds the collagen and elastin, promotes blood flow, and increases vaginal moisture, causing the tissues to tighten and contract. This stimulates the production of more collagen and elastin, resulting in firmer and plumper vaginal walls. Though you won't be aware of the changes in these revitalized vaginal walls, you will feel them: in addition to increased blood flow, which will help maintain the vagina well moisturized, the plumper walls will be effectively able to support your bladder, which is great news for the many women who suffer from urinary incontinence. It is also useful for tightening the labial tissues.

• How Radiofrequency Vaginal Rejuvenation Works?

A thin probe is placed on the vagina and vulva, causing a pleasant warming sensation. Some patients compare it to getting a warm stone massage. The procedure is painless, and the only sensation you may feel is the motion of the probe and a pleasant warming sensation. The vaginal treatment takes about 15-20 minutes and the vulva treatment takes about 10-15 minutes. Doctors like to make sure that nothing is rushed and that you are always as comfortable and calm as possible. There is no downtime; you can resume your daily activities immediately following your treatment.

Tightening and toning occur when a probe (or wand) is introduced into your vagina or directed through your external genitals during this kind of vaginal rejuvenation. The probe is connected with a light-like top that heats the tissue. To disperse heat in the affected areas, your surgeon or provider twists the wand or applies moderate strokes. The duration of radiofrequency vaginal rejuvenation treatment ranges from five to thirty minutes, depending on the type and strength of the laser or RF waves used, as well as the technique.

Nonsurgical vaginal rejuvenation is painless and does not necessitate anesthetic. If you have discomfort, your clinician may administer a topical anesthetic. During the operation, the treatment region may feel warm or sting like a bee. You must abstain from sex and tampon use for three to five days. For the greatest outcomes, follow all of your provider's post-procedure recommendations. After treatment, you may notice some redness or swelling, but this should go away within 24 to 48 hours. You may require multiple treatments before you achieve your desired result. After treatment, you may notice some redness or swelling, but this should go away within 24 to 48 hours. You may require multiple treatments before you achieve your desired result.

 

Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation

Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation is a medical technique designed to restore the damage done to your vaginal and perineal muscles after childbirth, resulting in increased sexual gratification. Many people remark that they look and feel like a 16-year-old again.

Many people experience stress urinary incontinence, which is characterized by a minor flow of urine when laughing, shouting, coughing, or exercising. Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation tightens the muscles on the top, bottom, as well as outside (perineal body) of the vagina, hence easing the source of stress incontinence and curing women of this unpleasant condition.

While treating stress incontinence is a key component of Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation, you may not need bladder rejuvenation. Only people suffering from stress incontinence or urinary relaxation require bladder rejuvenation. Your doctor will discuss your concerns and symptoms during your initial session. He will identify the specific technique required based on your consultation.

 

• How Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation Works?

During Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation, the doctor utilizes a laser to cut and dissect the muscles of your vagina, as well as suture material to heal and tighten them. Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation strengthens the muscles of the vagina's top, bottom, and outside (known as the perineal body).

The laser that the doctor uses during Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation is a pinpoint accuracy instrument that is soothing on the tissues, reduces bleeding and bruising, seals lymphatics, and therefore promotes healing. The laser itself is around the size of two laptops.

Vaginal muscle tone, strength, control, and mechanical force are all improved with laser vaginal rejuvenation. It reduces the inner and outer diameters of your vagina while increasing the perineal body's volume. Sexual satisfaction is proportional to the number of frictional forces produced. Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation returns your vagina to its pre-pregnancy state, allowing you to maximize frictional forces and so increase sexual gratification.

Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation is a therapy that aims to restore youthfulness. Many doctors conducted Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation on happy patients from all over the globe who wanted to feel like they were 16 again. When patients consult with an experienced plastic surgeon about Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation to alleviate their physical concerns, they rapidly understand the life-changing advantages of this breakthrough procedure. Many doctors are encouraging women all over the world to take charge of their sexual health.

Aside from improved sexual enjoyment, a further benefit is the production of a youthful look for patients. Women want a slit-like introitus. The edges of the labia Minora and Majora should meet in the midline to form the perineal body. The technique also improves the partner's sexual pleasure. Of course, we all want to look and feel attractive. Women's vaginal and perineal body muscles, as well as vaginal aesthetics, change dramatically as women age and after giving birth.

Many women experience a relaxed or distorted appearance of their vulvar tissues after childbirth. Laser Vaginoplasty methods, such as laser reduction labiaplasty of the labia minora, can treat aesthetic issues regarding the vulvar structures, particularly the labia Minora/Majora. These procedures can be combined with Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation.

 

Vaginal Laxity Prevention

Certain factors, like age and menopause, cannot be prevented, so there is no way to prevent the onset of vaginal laxity. Certain methods, however, may lower the likelihood of vaginal laxity. These are the factors:

• Performing Kegels are a muscle-strengthening exercise.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle and refrain from chewing tobacco.
• Managing underlying medical issues such as neurological illnesses, Marfan syndrome, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

 

Conclusion

Pregnancy and vaginal delivery can cause damage and stretch, leading to a decrease in vaginal tightness. Vaginal laxity is more common in women who have more than one child, have a large baby, have a forceps delivery or are elderly. While pelvic floor retraining and Kegel exercises may be advised to strengthen the vaginal muscles, there is no proof that these isometric activities cause vaginal tightness. However, surgical vaginoplasty has a high patient satisfaction level. However, some women want to have additional children or do not want to have surgery, therefore they may wish to try nonsurgical methods that use laser or radiofrequency energy.