Vaginal rejuvenation is gaining notoriety as a luxury procedure that can turn back the clock on a woman’s feminine parts. However, there are many different procedures to consider. With so many different options on the market, it’s easy to feel paralyzed by choice and unable to make a decision.
In this guide, our goal is to educate you about the various types of vaginal rejuvenation available to you and the included processes thereof. We hope that this will allow you to do your due diligence before committing to a vaginal rejuvenation procedure.
Types of Vaginal Rejuvenation Procedures
Like we mentioned above, there are many different procedures available for vaginal rejuvenation. In the paragraphs below, we will introduce you to each of these procedures in the hopes of finding the right one for your specific needs.
Radiofrequency Treatments (RF)
Radiofrequency treatments for vaginal rejuvenation involve using waves to heat the vagina. This heat causes slight damage to the vaginal tissues, stimulating the cells to release collagen and heal themselves. This is thought to tighten the vagina and restore function that may have been lost through vaginal atrophy.
Risks of Radiofrequency Treatments
Vaginal discharge and tenderness are common side effects of RF treatments. However, the FDA has also proclaimed that the safety of RF treatments and laser treatments have not been documented in enough detail. They maintain that RF treatments can result in vaginal burns, pain during intercourse, permanent scarring, and chronic pain following the procedure.
Benefits of Radiofrequency Treatments
RF treatments are meant to treat many symptoms of vaginal atrophy. RF treatments are thought to be effective in addressing issues such as:
- Discomfort or dryness during intercourse
- Difficulty urinating
- Bladder urgency
- Burning or irritation
- Vaginal laxity
Recovering from Radiofrequency Treatments
Typically, RF treatments have little to no recovery period. However, some doctors may recommend that patients refrain from intercourse for several days to a week after treatment.
Cost of Radiofrequency Treatments
The average cost of ThermiVa, a name-brand RF treatment, is $2,700, but this number can always vary. This cost is split between multiple treatments.
CO2 Laser Treatment
CO2 laser treatment is another non-invasive vaginal rejuvenation procedure that is on the rise. Laser treatment is functionally the same as RF treatment, but uses a laser is used to heat the tissues instead of a radiofrequency device.
Risks of CO2 Laser Treatments
CO2 laser treatments come with similar risks to RF treatments. These include redness, swelling, and temporary discomfort. However, just like with RF treatments, the FDA maintains that more severe side effects can include vaginal burns, loss of sensation, permanent disfigurement, and chronic pain.
Benefits of CO2 Laser Treatments
CO2 treatments are thought to have similar benefits to RF treatments. Some of these benefits can include increased bladder control, decreased dryness, improved sexual function, improved sensation, and vaginal tightening.
Recovering from CO2 Laser Treatments
Patients may experience minor discomfort during recovery which lasts from one to three days. Sexual activity should be avoided during this time.
Cost of CO2 Laser Treatments
FemiLift, a common CO2 laser treatment, costs about $2,600 on average. However, your cost may differ depending on your number of treatments.
Vaginoplasty
Vaginoplasty is a surgical procedure used to tighten the vagina. To do this, a surgeon will bring loose muscles in the vagina back together and remove excess skin from the rear of the vagina. If desired, external skin can also be removed.
Risks of Vaginoplasty
Vaginoplasty commonly results in the following risks:
- Bleeding or bruising at the procedure site
- Infection
- Pain
However, there are more severe risks that can rarely happen with vaginoplasty. These include:
- Skin or clitoral necrosis
- Suture loss or rupture
- Vaginal prolapse
- Urinary retention
- Fistulas
Benefits of Vaginoplasty
The main purpose of vaginoplasty is tightening the vaginal canal. This can increase sexual function and satisfaction in some individuals.
Recovering from Vaginoplasty
Vaginoplasty patients typically face two weeks of recovery, with at least one week of downtime. Aching during this recovery is common. Tampon use and sexual intercourse are prohibited for eight weeks after the procedure.
Cost of Vaginoplasty
Vaginoplasty commonly costs around $5,000. However, a male-to-female vaginoplasty can cost upwards of $20,000.
Monsplasty
Monsplasty is a procedure that reduces excess skin or fat located around the mons.
Risks of Monsplasty
The risks involved with a monsplasty procedure are the same as any surgical procedure. Some of these include:
- Bleeding
- Scarring
- Infection
- Hematoma
Benefits of Monsplasty
The benefits of monplasty are strictly cosmetic. The procedure results in a smoother, lower-profile mons area.
Recovering from Monsplasty
Monsplasty recovery depends on the procedure that is done. If any skin is surgically removed, recovery can take a week or more, with physical restrictions lasting up to six weeks. However, if liposuction is only done for the monsplasty, recovery may be shorter and less extensive.
Cost of Monsplasty
The average cost of Monsplasty is $5,800, but this can be higher or lower depending on the nature of the procedure.
Labiaplasty
Labiaplasty is a procedure that reduces or corrects the labia minora. Some women are born with long, excessive, or mismatched labia, and as such, choose to fix them with surgery.
Risks of Labiaplasty
Labiaplasty risks align with most other surgical procedures. These risks include hematoma, bleeding, and infection. However, more specific risks to the labiaplasty procedure involve making the labia too small or scarring the vaginal opening. This can result in chronic dryness, pain during intercourse, and problems healing.
Benefits of Labiaplasty
A labiaplasty can correct the appearance of mismatched or large labia. Additionally, a labiaplasty procedure can reduce the discomfort that can occur during various activities, such as intercourse or riding a bike, that stems from having large labia.
Recovering from Labiaplasty
Most patients can return to work after one week, but the healing process can take up to six months to complete. Patients should also refrain from sexual intercourse or using tampons for four to six weeks.
Cost of Labiaplasty
Labiaplasty procedures generally cost between $4,000 and $6,000, but this can vary depending on your location, practice, and surgeon.
Labia Majoraplasty
Labia majoraplasty reduces the size or corrects imperfections of the labia majora. Some women may feel that their outer labia are too large or too prominent. A labia majoraplasty can solve these issues.
Risks of Labia Majoraplasty
The risks involved with labia majoraplasty are the same as most surgical procedures. In addition to the usual risks of infection, bleeding, and scarring, there is also the risk of removing too much or too little during the surgery.
Benefits of Labia Majoraplasty
Labia majoraplasty results in smaller, tighter, and thinner outer labia. This procedure is often done in response to drooping labia and excess skin, creating a closer profile. It can also correct discomfort caused by long or obtrusive labia.
Recovering from Labia Majoraplasty
Recovery from labia majoraplasty is much the same as labiaplasty. Healing is finished after six months, and most patients need a week of downtime before returning to work. Intercourse and tampon use are prohibited for four to six weeks.
Cost of Labia Majoraplasty
Labia majoraplasty can range from $3,000 to $8,000 depending on the intensity of your surgery.
Hymenoplasty
Hymenoplasty is a procedure to restore the hymen to a virgin state. Hymenoplasty procedures are closely tied to cultural or personal beliefs. Some patients also desire a hymenoplasty to “erase” past signs of abuse.
Clitoral Hood Reduction
Excess skin around the clitoris is common in women. This area, called the clitoral hood, can sometimes be reduced via surgery. Clitoral hood reductions commonly accompany labiaplasty procedures.
Risks of Clitoral Hood Reduction
Clitoral hood reduction is prone to the same risks as other surgeries mentioned here. These include hematoma, infection, bleeding, too much removal, or too little removal.
Benefits of Clitoral Hood Reduction
A clitoral hood reduction surgery is purely cosmetic. While a clitoral hood reduction can be done on its own, it commonly accompanies labiaplasty. This is because the clitoral hood can appear to bulge when the labia are reduced via labiaplasty. Adding a clitoral hood reduction to the procedure balances the appearance of the vulva.
Recovering from Clitoral Hood Reduction
With a clitoral hood reduction, the same recovery guidelines as labiaplasty are followed, especially since the two commonly accompany one another. Patients should rest for one week and refrain from intercourse for six weeks.
Cost of Clitoral Hood Reduction
The cost of a clitoral hood reduction ranges between $3,500 and $5,000.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection
Platelet-rich plasma injections encompass several procedures that are meant to increase sexual pleasure. Often called the “G-shot” or the “O-shot,” these procedures involve injecting your own plasma into the clitoris or the Grafenburg spot.
Risks of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections
Platelet-rich plasma injections carry some of the same risks as other surgical procedures. Several of these include:
- Bleeding
- Urinary retention
- Infection
- Hematoma
- Sexual dysfunction
- No noticeable effect
- Yeast infection
Benefits of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections
The advertised benefit of a PRP injection is increased sexual function and sensitivity. These procedures are thought to increase orgasms, sensitivity, and pleasure.
Recovering from Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections
There is little to no recovery after a PRP injection. However, if you experience side effects like those mentioned above, it is a good idea to visit your doctor.
Cost of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections
PRP injections typically cost upwards of $1,000 and must be repeated annually.