Vaginal rejuvenation: current perspectives

Abstract

Female genital cosmetic surgery includes several procedures aimed at reaching better female genital appearance and/or improved sexual functioning. Among these procedures, vaginal rejuvenation is considered as one of the most controversial genital cosmetic surgical interventions and involves a range of surgical procedures performed by gynecologists or plastic surgeons to decrease the average diameter of the vagina, mainly for sexual reasons. In this narrative review, vaginal rejuvenation outcomes are examined in order to clarify the current scenario of the different vaginal rejuvenation techniques, as well as their effectiveness and associated complications. Psychological and ethical issues linked to these procedures are also addressed.

Vaginal hyperlaxity syndrome: a new concept and challenge

“…The classic surgical technique used during the procedures is very similar to traditional anterior or posterior colporrhaphy performed in urogynecological adjustments to correct vaginal prolapse or pelvic floor defects [17,18]. Colporrhaphy is often associated with perineoplasty, which involves removing a triangle-shaped portion of the perineal skin above the anus to exert pressure on the vaginal introitus and reconstruct the perineal body [19]. Vaginoplasty is a useful procedure with few side effects usually allowing the desired purposes to be achieved, but with a clear drawbackit is an invasive method.…”

Laser Vaginal Tightening Complications: Report of Three Cases

“…It has been recently used to treat vaginal laxity, and aging atrophied skin by using a laser beam leading to the destruction of epidermis and dermis, subsequently leading to new blood flow, new collagen and elastin fiber formation through a wound healing process that results in tightening of that area . These non‐invasive procedures are offered as an outpatient procedure using fractional CO 2 laser and erbium YAG laser .…”

“…Second, most of the reported studies were conducted in small trials marred by methodological bias. Third, surgical outcomes and post‐procedure complications such as fibrosis and skin fragility, are not assessed well, and this should be achieved by scientific evidence and large clinical randomized trials .…”

Vaginal rejuvenation: From scalpel to wands

“…Female cosmetic genital surgery (FCGS) refers to a subset of treatments that address the vaginal appearance, and the term vaginal rejuvenation has evolved into an umbrella term that covers procedures that enhance vaginal esthetics, sexuality, and functionality. Common procedures include surgical (e.g., vaginal tightening, labia minoraplasty, labia majoraplasty, clitoral hood reduction, clitoral unhooding, lipofilling, and hymen reconstruction) or nonsurgical (e.g., energy-based treatments, platelet-rich plasma [PRP], and fillers) interventions ( Barbara et al, 2017 ).…”

“…Vaginal rejuvenation refers to procedures that primarily reduce the width of the vagina for reasons of function and well-being ( Barbara et al, 2017 ). The concept is more than a thousand years old and was first described by Trotula in 1050 AD in Treatments for Women , wherein she sutured vaginal lacerations postdelivery.…”