What Is Vaginoplasty?

Vaginoplasty is a gynecological surgery performed for various purposes, including vaginal repair, vaginal rejuvenation, and even creating a vagina during gender confirmation surgery. Depending on the patient’s condition, a surgeon can reshape and resize the vagina, reconstruct the vaginal canal, or tighten loose tissues. Today, vaginoplasty is not only considered a medical procedure but also a cosmetic solution to enhance intimacy and self-confidence.

Why Is Vaginoplasty Performed?

Vaginoplasty can be carried out for different reasons:

• Medical purposes: treating functional problems caused by childbirth, aging, or pelvic floor issues.
• Cosmetic purposes: restoring the youthful appearance of the vagina and improving self-image.
• Gender confirmation surgery: creating a neovagina for transgender women.

Treating Functional Problems

Multiple childbirths or aging can weaken vaginal and pelvic muscles, leading to urinary incontinence and reduced sexual satisfaction. Vaginoplasty helps restore function by tightening muscles and reconstructing tissues.

Vaginal Rejuvenation and Cosmetic Reasons

Some women undergo vaginoplasty purely for aesthetic reasons. Factors like childbirth, aging, or genetics may alter the vaginal appearance. Surgery can restore a firmer, younger look, improving confidence and sexual well-being.

Gender Confirmation Surgery

For transgender women, vaginoplasty is a crucial step in gender affirmation. Surgeons use penile and scrotal skin to create a functional vagina and labia, while the glans is reshaped into a clitoris to preserve sexual sensation.

What Changes Does Vaginoplasty Create?

Vaginoplasty is performed for two main goals:

1. Reconstructing female genital tissues
   • Reducing vaginal opening size
   • Removing excess tissue at the vaginal entrance
   • Tightening loose muscles
   • Removing excess genital skin
2. Gender confirmation surgery
   • Creating a vaginal canal using penile skin
   • Constructing labia from scrotal skin
   • Forming a clitoris from the glans

Vaginoplasty vs. Vaginal Rejuvenation

Although many people use these terms interchangeably, there are differences:

• Vaginoplasty: a surgical procedure performed under anesthesia in an operating room to reconstruct or create a vaginal canal.
• Vaginal rejuvenation: may be done with non-surgical methods such as laser therapy, fat transfer, or radiofrequency treatments.

All vaginoplasty surgeries rejuvenate the vagina, but not all rejuvenation procedures are vaginoplasty.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Vaginoplasty?

You may be a candidate if you:

• Experience vaginal laxity after multiple natural births
• Are unhappy with the appearance of your genital area
• Struggle with urinary incontinence or reduced sexual pleasure
• Have congenital anomalies affecting vaginal structure
• Are a transgender woman seeking gender confirmation surgery

Types of Vaginoplasty

1. Reconstructive & Cosmetic Vaginoplasty – For women who want a tighter vaginal opening, firmer muscles, and removal of excess tissue.
2. Gender Confirmation Vaginoplasty – A complex procedure often lasting 5–9 hours, using the penile inversion technique.
3. Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation – A non-surgical alternative that stimulates collagen production for tighter, more youthful vaginal tissue.

Pre-Surgery Preparation

Before vaginoplasty, patients should:

• Complete laser hair removal (essential for gender confirmation vaginoplasty, ideally 6 months prior).
• Quit smoking at least 1 month before surgery.
• Stop blood-thinning medications (aspirin, omega-3, herbal supplements) 2 weeks before.
• Stay hydrated and maintain good health.

Vaginoplasty Procedure Steps

• Gender Confirmation Surgery:
  • Vaginal canal created using scrotal or penile skin
  • Glans reshaped into clitoris
  • Labia formed through labiaplasty techniques
  • Performed under general anesthesia
• Reconstructive Vaginoplasty:
  • Removal of excess vaginal tissue
  • Tightening of the vaginal canal with sutures
  • Done under anesthesia or local numbing

Surgery Duration

Depending on the type, vaginoplasty takes 2 to 9 hours.

Recovery After Vaginoplasty

Post-surgery experiences may include swelling, bruising, numbness, itching, mild bleeding, or scarring.

Aftercare Guidelines:

• Avoid heavy activities for 6 weeks
• No cycling for 3 months
• Avoid swimming and long baths for 8 weeks
• No sexual activity for at least 3 months
• Stop smoking for 1 month
• Eat fiber-rich foods to prevent constipation
• Follow vaginal dilation instructions carefully

Healing Timeline

• Hospital stay: minimum 3 nights
• Recovery period: 6–8 weeks
• Full results visible: 4–6 months

Possible Complications

• Abnormal urine flow
• Blood in urine
• Vaginal narrowing
• Hematoma
• Granulation tissue

Risks of Vaginoplasty

Seek immediate medical care if you experience:

• Heavy bleeding
• High fever
• Shortness of breath
• Severe infection
• Dizziness or fainting
• Abnormal leg swelling

Cost of Vaginoplasty

The price of vaginoplasty varies based on the method, surgeon’s expertise, and location. For updated costs and free consultation, visit the appointment page of Dr. Akbari’s Health & Beauty Center.