Vaginal Relaxation

What Is Vaginal Relaxation?

Vaginal relaxation is the term used to describe a stretching of the vaginal wall. It is also referred to as loose or lax vagina. Common symptoms include vaginal pressure that may worsen as the day goes on, feeling a bulge in the vagina, difficulty emptying the bladder or having a bowel movement, or loss of sensation during intercourse. Vaginal relaxation is also associated with vaginal wall prolapse and stress incontinence cause the relaxed walls cause support loss. Common risk factors include the overstretching of the vaginal walls during childbirth, chronic coughing with things like asthma or chronic straining with constipation, or the hormonal changes associated with menopause.  When the bladder or rectum starts to bulge into the vagina, these herniations tend to dilate the vaginal tube resulting in the symptoms noted above.

Can a Vagina be Tightened?

The surgeons at Southeast Urogyn offer a variety of treatments to help restore a woman’s vagina and her comfort and confidence. The treatments range from non-surgical laser and heat treatments to stimulate collagen production in the vaginal walls to surgical reconstruction of the vagina. The doctors provide thorough consultations and exams to understand the extent of the changes to the vagina and how it is affecting the patient before making a recommendation for the best course of treatment to address her symptoms and concerns.

What Are Some of the Procedures Used to Treat Vaginal Support Loss?

Some of the surgical options use to treat vaginal support loss include:

Cystocele (bladder bulging into vagina) repair: provides support by reattaching the herniated tissue using sutures.

Rectocele repair (rectum bulging into vagina): provides support by reattaching the herniated tissue using sutures.

Vaginal vault suspension (top of vagina bulging): attaches the top of a prolapsed vagina to the strong tissues or ligaments in the pelvis.

Uterine prolapse (womb bulging): sometimes a hysterectomy may need to be performed as part of the reconstructive procedures.

Most times these defects occur in more than one area of the vaginal support structures.  When the doctors perform surgery, their goals include reestablishing support between the bladder and vagina and rectum and vagina and tightening the vagina to a more normal state. These procedures are almost always performed through the vagina and is done on an outpatient basis is performed in a number of varieties, depending on the support loss and the condition of the patient.

The physicians and nurse practitioners at Southeast Urogyn also offer non-surgical treatments for mild vaginal relaxation and support loss. Treatments with devices such as the Mona Lisa Touch or ThermiVa can help to restore the vagina. Support pessaries can also be inserted into the vagina to provide additional support to the vagina, uterus, and other pelvic organs.

A common question we get involves insurance paying for vaginal tightening surgery.  The answer is usually yes as most women with complaints of looseness or laxity will have one or more of the defects noted above.  Our doctors will work with you and help you find the most appropriate and affordable option for you so don’t be afraid to discuss these sensitive issues with us.