Vaginoplasty: what is it and what are its benefits

What is a vaginoplasty?

A vaginoplasty is a gynecological subspecialty that seeks to correct and improve anomalies. These anomalies can have a congenital, acquired, or involutive origin, which need replacement or repair of the vulvar, vaginal anatomy and its functions. It is divided into:

  • Reconstructive or reparative surgery: this surgery aims to disguise or reconstruct the destructive effects. These effects may be due to a congenital malformation, a tumor or oncogenic resection, a previous surgery or produced by childbirth.
  • Aesthetic surgery: it is done to modify those areas of the body that are not satisfactory for the patient. These could be due to sexual satisfaction, age, aesthetic reasons, among others.

What symptoms should we take into account to decide if we need one?

The symptomatology to be evaluated to make this decision can be very diverse. The symptoms can range from a complete prolapse of the uterus to rectocele or urinary incontinence. It can also be for aesthetic reasons of the labia minora of the vulva or a vagina that is too wide, etc.

What can be the causes?

There are several causes among which we find:

  • Complete absence of congenital vagina as in Rokitansky-kuster-Hauser syndrome (congenital aplasia of the vagina).
  • Total vaginectomy due to carcinoma (in these cases neovagina is performed).
  • Acquired by one or more vaginal deliveries.
  • Acquired by menopause.
  • Other factors affecting the vaginal wall.
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What does the operation consist of?

Depending on the cause we want to treat the operation will be different. Neovagina, total vaginal histrectomy plus anterior and posterior plasty if necessary with plication of the levator ani muscles, rectocele only, fixing the posterior vagina to the peritoneum and leaving the width of the vagina in accordance with sexual desires. Also in menopause when there is dyspareunia (difficult or painful intercourse) local treatments can be administered to regenerate the vaginal wall weakened by hormonal depletion.

What are the benefits?

The benefits depend on the cause that we treat:

  • Sexual pleasure
  • Improvement of the external appearance
  • Correction of incontinence of urine and/or feces, in the case of prolapse.
  • Lead a normal and pleasant life

Learn more about vaginoplasty with a specialist in Gynecology.