Your vagina goes through a lot in your lifetime. While there are some more obvious changes such as puberty, childbirth, and menopause, major changes occur in between those milestones. The vulva, the part of the genitalia that includes the labia, and the vagina itself will evolve as a woman’s hormone levels fluctuate with age.
Of course, some women may feel self-conscious when these changes occur. Vaginal dryness, incontinence, and pain during intercourse can cause much discomfort and take a swing at your confidence. This is where vaginal rejuvenation comes into the picture.
Vaginal rejuvenation is a catchall term that refers to a variety of surgical and non-surgical procedures designed to tighten, repair, or otherwise improve the sexual function or appearance (or sometimes both) of the inner or outer vagina.
As more women seek to reverse the effects of ageing, childbearing, and/or hormonal changes, the demand for these techniques has also soared over recent years.
If you’ve been considering vaginal rejuvenation, we’ve created a handy guide that will help you narrow down your options. From the types of treatments to the clinics that offer them, here’s all the information you need to make an informed decision.
What causes changes to a woman’s vagina
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As we’ve mentioned, hormonal changes in your body can cause changes to your vagina. Because there are higher estrogen levels in your body during your reproductive years and before menopause, more layers of tissue are present in your vagina.
The vagina is also influenced by changing hormone levels during pregnancy. Increased blood flow is directed to the pelvis, causing a deeper colour change to the vulva and vagina.
Throughout a pregnancy, the connective tissue of the vaginal walls progressively relaxes too, in preparation for the delivery of a baby. After delivery, the vagina and vaginal opening temporarily widen, but after six to 12 weeks, the vagina will return to its pre-pregnancy size.
As you age, the walls of your vagina will become more relaxed, and the diameter of the vagina becomes wider. If there’s one myth we’d like to dispel, it’s that vaginal size does not affect sexual function.
The perception of vaginal tightness during sex is primarily related to the pelvic floor muscles, which are present around the base of the vagina. So, it’s not actually about how wide the vaginal canal is.
After menopause, when estrogen is lower, the walls of the vagina become thinner and frailer, which can cause symptoms of vaginal dryness and decreased vaginal secretions. This may result in discomfort during sex and increase the chances of vaginal irritation or infection.
The types of vaginal rejuvenation treatments available
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1. Radiofrequency (RF)
During the natural ageing process, the skin around the vaginal area can become looser and less elastic, which can also lead to urinary incontinence, decreased sexual pleasure, and vaginal dryness among other issues.
Radiofrequency (RF) energy can help to tighten lax skin and muscles for a younger appearance while also helping internal muscles to tighten. Besides that, it can help to alleviate incontinence issues too.
Since the treatment is non-invasive, no numbing or anaesthesia is required. You’ll lay comfortably on the table for a duration of 15 to 30 minutes with your legs spread apart.
The handpiece, which is a thin probe with an RF energy emitting tip, will be inserted into the vagina and gently moved back and forth, gradually getting up tissue. The handpiece can also be applied to the outer labia, depending on your concerns.
2. Lasers
A quick and painless procedure, lasers are also a non-invasive treatment that uses laser technology to restore the vaginal wall. A small rod will be gently inserted into the vagina, and while the rod is being pulled back slowly, a laser beam will stimulate new blood flow and trigger tissue growth in the vagina.
The whole procedure takes about 10 minutes, and you won’t have to prepare anything for the treatment. In rare cases when the treatment is performed by an inexperienced doctor, lasers can cause too much thermal damage due to its high energy. It can even cause darkening of the vulvovaginal area.
3. Vaginoplasty
Childbirth can sometimes cause the muscles of the vaginal canal to separate, which can result in extreme vaginal laxity. In this instance, vaginoplasty may be required. Since it is a surgery, vaginoplasty requires general anaesthesia.
A reconstructive surgeon can remove a wedge-shaped piece of tissue from inside the vagina and then draw the incisions tightly together with sutures to narrow the vaginal canal. The whole vaginal rejuvenation procedure usually takes two to five hours, depending on your condition.
While it’s true that vaginal tissues can stretch, surgically tightening the vaginal tissue in itself cannot guarantee a heightened sexual response, since arousal and orgasms are complex, highly personal responses.
Downtime and aftercare required for vaginal rejuvenation
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1. Radiofrequency (RF)
When it comes to radiofrequency treatments, patients only experience a tolerable, warming sensation and are able to resume all normal activity. This includes sex on the day of treatment. So, there is no downtime or recovery associated with the radiofrequency.
2. Lasers
Some women report slight discomfort and swelling after a laser treatment, but these symptoms generally disappear after a few days. Your doctor will most likely advise you not to have sex or use a tampon for four to five days after the procedure to allow the vaginal wall to settle.
The results you see can last for about 18 months to two years, and most women will require a “maintenance” treatment every 12 to 18 months.
3. Vaginoplasty
Generally, there will be swelling, soreness and some bruising after a vaginoplasty surgery, which should subside in a week or two. After a couple of days, you should be able to walk around comfortably.
You’ll achieve your final result in a couple of months following the surgery, and you should be able to resume sexual activity within four to six weeks.
For women with severe laxity, vaginoplasty can be effective at tightening the vagina, but it is a major vaginal rejuvenation surgery with real risks including bleeding and infection, so be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor.
The ideal candidate for vaginal rejuvenation
Ideal candidates for inner surgical vaginal rejuvenation options are women who have experienced vaginal looseness, sagging, and/or incontinence after childbirth, weight loss, or the natural ageing process.
In most cases, an ideal candidate has experienced a noticeable laxity of the vagina, bladder control issues, and problems wearing a tampon properly during her period.
For outer vaginal rejuvenation surgery or non-surgical vaginal procedures, good candidates are those who have experienced physical discomfort or pain due to enlarged or elongated labial lips, caused by chafing, pulling, or rubbing against clothing.
Other candidates report feeling emotional discomfort and dissatisfaction with the appearance of their vagina, usually due to a misshapen or abnormally long labia.
For laser vaginal rejuvenation, the ideal patients are those that are hoping to restore tightness, restore bladder control of the genitalia, and are also eager to improve the appearance of the vagina as well.
Clinics to visit for vaginal rejuvenation in Singapore
1. Fusion Medical
With clinics situated at Wheelock Place and Fusionopolis, Fusion Medical specialises in personalised health screening and aesthetic medical services.
Their team of female doctors perform a variety of women’s health-specific treatments, such as vaginal rejuvenation, female hormone therapy (perimenopause and menopause), and 3D Mammography to screen for breast abnormalities.
The Fotona Smooth Laser is a laser treatment that treats common female issues of urine leakage, vaginal looseness, and dryness that often occur with hormonal imbalances after childbirth and ageing.
This non-invasive vaginal rejuvenation treatment also works by stimulating collagen to restore skin elasticity and tighten the vaginal canal. It’s painless and fast, so you won’t have to worry about any discomfort.
Contact Fusion Medical to enquire about rates.
Wheelock Place
Address: 501 Orchard Road, #04-11 Wheelock Place, Singapore 238880
Opening hours: 8.30am – 5.30pm (Mon to Fri) | 8.30am – 1pm (Sat) | Closed on Sun
Contact: Call 6690 2458 or email [email protected]
Fusionopolis
Address: 1 Fusionopolis Link, #01-05 Nexus @ One-North, Singapore 138542
Opening hours: 8.30am – 5.30pm (Mon to Fri) | Closed on Sat & Sun
Contact: Call 6250 6548 or email [email protected]
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2. Sweng Plastic Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery
Led by Dr Ng Siew Weng, Sweng Plastic Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery one of the notable clinics around that provides labiaplasty in Singapore. Dr Ng’s work is centred around plastic surgery procedures developed for Asian features, ranging from ptosis (droopy eyelid) correction, facelifts, and even fat grafting.
General anaesthesia will be administered prior to the procedure. An excision will then be made along the free edge of the labia minora to remove excess labial tissue.
The wounds will be closed with absorbable sutures, so you won’t have to come back for suture removal. The vaginal rejuvenation surgery will take about one to two hours and you’ll be sent home on the same day.
Contact Sweng Plastic Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery to enquire about rates.
Address: 6A Napier Road, #08-08 Gleneagles Medical Centre, Singapore 258499
Opening hours: 9am – 6pm (Mon to Fri) | 9.30am-1.30pm (Sat) | Closed on Sun
Contact: Call 6600 6868 or email [email protected]
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