Rejuvenation of the vagina or vulva: what you need to know

Rejuvenation of the vagina: beyond the controversial statement of Maeva Ghennam

The terms of vagina and vulva rejuvenation made the buzz in September 2021, following very controversial comments from an influencer, reality star Maeva Ghennam. Known for her participation in “Marseille”, The young woman did the promotion of cosmetic surgery of the intimate sphere, in rather limiting terms.

“What I did is too good, I made machines for my vagina, radiofrequency and mesotherapy without injection”, she said on Instagram on Friday, September 3, 2021. “ I think it’s super important to have a beautiful vagina. Me, I’m lucky, I have a beautiful vagina, I don’t have the lips that stick out (…) it’s too good, it’s like I was 12 years old ”.

If the Instagrammer then backpedaled, explaining that she had expressed herself poorly, since she had only had an application of cream locally on the vulva following hair removal burns, the damage was done.

With these words, the young woman brought to light the dictates surrounding the female sex, in particular because of the culture of porn, where the sex of the women is smooth, quite fleshy, without anything which exceeds… To desire to have the sex of a young girl of 12 years, here is a very strange thing, for a woman who has 24.

What exactly is a “normal” vulva?

The words of these reality TV stars and other influencers about their sex imply that it is not “normal”, that it has flaws, that it does not correspond to the norm.

However, it is a reality that it is good to keep in mind: the normal vulva does not exist. In other words, there are almost as many forms of vulva as there are women. Some have small lips that “protrude”, others have a prominent clitoris, some are very hairy, others less… As evidenced by the drawings of the Instagram account “The Vulva Gallery”, which all young women should consult before going. arrive in the office of a cosmetic surgeon.

Published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynaecology, a scientific study was conducted around this myth of the “normal vulva”. Measurements of the various anatomical parts of some 657 women aged 15 to 84 were taken. Verdict: there is a great diversity of vulvae, with very varied sizes, both for the glans of the clitoris (0,5 to 34 mm long), and for the length of the labia majora (12 to 180 mm!), Small labia (5 to 100 mm) or even from the vaginal opening (6 to 75 mm).

Something else to know, labia minora size seems to increase with age, according to the study, and the body mass index also has an influence on the shape of the vulva, in particular the length of the labia majora. Unsurprisingly, the fact ofhaving given birth would also increase the size of the vaginal opening.

In short, before embarking on an expensive cosmetic surgery and not without side effects, it is better wonder about the reasons that push us to want to change the appearance of our vulva or our vagina. The culture of pornography sometimes has something to do with it, as the vulvae of porn movies seem pre-pubescent …

Vulva or vagina: several types of treatments and surgeries to distinguish

In terms of female private part surgery, there are actually several things to distinguish, since the vulva and vagina are two very distinct anatomical parts. We can thus distinguish vulva surgeries and treatments, aiming for example to shorten the labia minora, or to make the labia majora “fuller”; from surgeries and treatments aimed at rejuvenating the vagina, most often by laser, to alleviate a post-partum vaginal open bite, vaginal dryness linked to a pathology, or the like. Note that there are other types of surgery in the intimate sphere that we will not detail here, such as those consisting in “deflating” the labia majora (pubic liposuction), in increasing the G-spot, in reconstructing a hymen ( hymenoplasty, controversial) or a clitoris following excision.

Labiaplasty or nymphoplasty: reduction of the labia minora

Labiaplasty, also called nymphoplasty, is surgery on the lips of the vulva, which usually involves correct a supposed enlargement of the labia minora, when they “exceed”.

Performed on an outpatient basis, this surgical act can be performed under general or epidural anesthesia, and lasts less than an hour. Several surgical methods exist, and it is generally the surgeon who discusses them with the patient, according to the desired rendering and her particular anatomy.

Note that although the majority of women who use it because ofaaesthetic discomfort, it sometimes happens that enlarged labia minora causes physical discomfort, especially when we put tight clothes (string, jeans slim), ou in the practice of certain sports (cycling, horse riding).

How to firm the labia majora?

To make the labia majora “fuller”, it is possible to inject hyaluronic acid, or apply it as a gel or cream. This is in fact the operation that the reality star Maeva Ghennam underwent, following hair removal burns. This treatment can lead to the impression of a “rejuvenated” vulva since it is firmer. 

It is also possible to increase the size of the labia majora by fat injection, or lipofilling. Note that if the result is immediate or almost, it is necessary to wait a few months to see the final result, because the injected fat can be reabsorbed over time. Here too, the operation is performed on an outpatient basis, without prolonged hospitalization.

Vaginoplasty or “vagina lifting”, a delicate operation

Vaginoplasty, also called vaginal lifting, is a cosmetic surgery operation intended to narrow the vaginal opening and strengthen the muscles of the perineum. This surgery may be undertaken because of aurinary incontinencelinked to a too relaxed perineum, organ descent (prolapse) and / or a phenomenon of béance vaginal decreasing sensations during sexual intercourse.

This is a heavier intervention than those detailed above, since the surgeon will do an incision of the perineum between the vagina and the anus, much like a episiotomy, possibly remove some skin or tissue, in order to decrease the length of the vagina or the vaginal opening. An operation not without risks, which can be accompanied by a reduction of the hypertrophy of the labia minora, and a lipofilling or a liposuction of the labia majora according to the patient’s wishes. This surgery is most often performed under general anesthesia, and on an outpatient basis.

As after an episiotomy, convalescence lasts several weeks, during which care must be given to the scar, and sexual intercourse not recommended, as well as sports.

Note that a perineal rehabilitation worthy of the name, which is imperatively recommended after each childbirth, can help to avoid this expensive surgical operation, which is only partially reimbursed by health insurance.

How to tighten the vagina: laser treatments

An umpteenth technique has emerged in the vast world of vaginal rejuvenation: the laser.

It is an approach resulting from the treatment of certain cancers, in particular of the prostate or the cervix.

Many sites of specialized French cosmetic surgeons praise the benefits of this approach, which would solve all ailments related to aging of the vagina : postmenopausal atrophy, recurrent urinary tract infections (or cystitis), vaginal dryness, vaginal openings or laxity (also called vaginal sagging syndrome).

The catch is that scientific evidence is lacking to affirm that the fractional CO2 laser treatment firms the vagina and fixes all of the above problems. 

It should also be noted that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the American food and drug agency, expressed serious reservations about this practice, fashionable in the United States, in August 2018. If it has given the green light to the use of laser for the destruction of abnormal or precancerous cervical or vaginal tissue, the efficacy and safety of this device has not been validated by the FDA for the purpose of “vaginal rejuvenation”.

The FDA, which has expressed concern about the harm suffered by women, further warns that these laser vaginal rejuvenation treatments may cause serious side effects, including vaginal burning, scarring, pain during sex and recurrent / chronic pain.

“There is no evidence to suggest that non-surgical ‘vaginal rejuvenation’ devices are effective in improving vaginal muscle tone or reshaping vaginal tissue,” Dr Vanessa Mackay, from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in the United Kingdom, equivalent to the National College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of France, told the BBC. ” If women are concerned about the look or feel of their vagina, they should speak to a healthcare professional. However, it is important to remember that every woman’s vagina is different.The lips are as unique as the women themselves and vary in appearance and color ”, recalled the specialist. ” To strengthen the muscles around the vagina, women are encouraged to practice pelvic floor exercises, which can help improve muscle tone and sensitivity during sex ‘.