
Guide
Exercising the perineum with geisha balls
by Natalie Hemengül
Birth changes everything. Including the vagina. So much so that some people would like to reverse the course of time. But is it possible?
I'm familiar with facial rejuvenation: getting rid of wrinkles, firming the skin, removing age spots. But I had no idea that women now needed to rejuvenate their private parts. I decided to discuss it with a specialist in operative gynaecology.
Why do women choose to have vaginal rejuvenation
? Dr J.F.P. Schüttpelz, FMH for gynaecology and obstetrics.
Women are interested in vaginal rejuvenation for both health and aesthetic reasons. After the menopause, many suffer from dry mucous membranes and pain due to the lack of hormones. In these cases, the aim is to strengthen the mucosa. However, most patients are aged between 30 and 40 and have already experienced childbirth, which has transformed their private parts: their vagina no longer looks the same, or they feel a sensation of prolapse. The walls of the vagina can sometimes loosen and descend slightly. This is a simple change that presents no danger, but can sometimes be perceived as embarrassing. After giving birth, many women also feel that their vagina is too large. Some women no longer feel the same intensity during sexual intercourse. When the operation is successful, the "rejuvenated" vagina returns to its pre-natal shape. From a medical point of view, the term "rejuvenation" refers to cell renewal and improved elasticity.
What treatments are available in such cases?
To tighten the vagina, surgery, injections of hyaluronic acid or autologous fat, or laser treatment may be used. Surgery should only be used as a last resort, as it is a complicated procedure that can take several hours. Not to mention the fact that it involves a stay in hospital, as well as the risk of post-operative bleeding and infection. Pelvic floor re-education can be a good solution, and we recommend it to every woman who has just given birth. Unfortunately, it's not always easy to fit into an already busy day. And given that, in most cases, the volume of the vagina increases after childbirth and excess skin forms, this type of exercise isn't always enough.
The important thing is to discuss it with your gynaecologist. Unfortunately, some of them don't always take this problem seriously, because it's not considered dangerous to health. To make matters worse, women are sometimes reluctant to discuss the subject with their doctor. I have noticed, however, that there has been growing interest in these treatments in recent years. This is due to the fact that women are talking to each other about it more often and their suffering is being mentioned in the media.
What does laser treatment involve?
After being inserted into the vagina using an applicator, the laser heats the tissue, stimulating the cells and helping them to produce collagen. The procedure is completely painless and is performed three times, four weeks apart, to narrow the vaginal canal by around 20%. This is sufficient for many patients, although the operation must be repeated every year.
Do you sometimes see patients wanting to undergo rejuvenation when they have nothing to rejuvenate?
Yes, I sometimes see women with no anatomical problems whatsoever, with a pelvic floor in perfect condition and a narrow vagina. When this is the case, I refuse any treatment and instead try to find out whether the problem could be linked to their sex life or their relationship.
Our branches offer a product that also promises to rejuvenate the vagina. Can such a device intended for domestic use really be effective?
The product's heat may slightly stimulate the vaginal walls and cause a subjective change. However, it cannot replace the effects of a medical device.
As a massive Disney fan, I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I worship series from the 90s and consider mermaids a religion. When I’m not dancing in glitter rain, I’m either hanging out at pyjama parties or sitting at my make-up table. P.S. I love you, bacon, garlic and onions.