Giving birth brings about many changes to a woman’s body. Months after childbirth, a woman may still suffer through the pain and discomforts of a condition known as VAGINAL LAXITY.
What is Vaginal Laxity?
Normally, vaginal skin is composed of collagen tissue, enabling it to expand during birth, contract after delivery, and return to its original size and shape. But there is a limit to this elasticity. During the first vaginal delivery, there is a significant reduction in the vagina’s strength, resilience and contractility. As the baby passes through the birth canal, the underlying dermal tissue tears and overly stretches. The vagina loses its resilience and the gradual increase in skin surface prevents the vaginal skin from going back to its original size and shape.
An estimated 20 percent of women complain of vaginal laxity and poor pelvic floor tone at 3 months after childbirth. In 12 percent of women, these symptoms persist up to 6 months.
The severity of vaginal laxity is dependent upon the following factors…
- Succeeding and increasing number of vaginal deliveries
- Greater trauma with each birth
- Size of the baby
- Use of forceps in assisting the delivery
- Aging due to changes in the connective tissue
What makes this condition troubling to women is the persistent pain, discomfort and feeling of looseness in the vagina and perineum. The excessive vaginal folds that develop also causes discomfort. Some women may suffer from urinary incontinence and poor control of stool. It also reduces the pleasurable sensations during sexual intercourse, leading to loss of sexual desire and poor body image. In more advanced stages, if left untreated, it may lead to pelvic organ prolapse (prolapse of any of the four organs inside the pelvic cavity, namely the uterus, bladder, bowel or vagina).
Originally, even doctors believed that vaginal laxity is a normal side effect of childbirth and is not considered a priority. Thanks to numerous findings in medical research and advancements in treatment, it is now possible to treat vaginal laxity.
The Sincere Health Group is proud to present a pioneering programme in women’s personal care under Post-Delivery Vaginal Reconditioning Programme.
About the Post-Delivery Vaginal Reconditioning Programme
The Vaginal Reconditioning Programme aims to restore the normal size, shape and resilience of the vagina after childbirth.
The ideal candidates for vaginal reconditioning are women who have had a recent vaginal delivery.
There are three components to the treatment protocol.
- First Component = An initial consultation that includes thorough evaluation of the vagina and the injuries sustained during the pregnancy and delivery. This includes 2D and 3D ultrasound imaging to assess the condition of the pelvic floor muscles, ligament support and the endo-pelvic fascia.
- Second Component = Prescription of customized treatment regimen of Kegel and other exercises together with biofeedback to restore strength in the pelvic floor muscles. Complete instructions will be provided as well as targets determined. Supplements may be provided to boost vaginal skin health.
- Third Component = The actual reconditioning procedures involve the use of non-ablative vaginal laser rejuvenation and/or radiofrequency therapy. These procedures aim to induce vaginal tightening, restore vaginal skin health, and restore and augment vaginal sensation.
The programme is best initiated at the third month after delivery since many of the physiological effects of pregnancy, including physical distortion of the vaginal canal, are already resolved. Depending upon the severity of the vaginal injury and the woman’s expectations of the treatment and healing process, the programme has an estimated duration of between four to six weeks.
Although considered fairly new procedures in urogynecology, laser rejuvenation and radiofrequency is effective in tightening the skin in various dermatological conditions. In the few years that it has been applied to vaginal and vulvar skin, these procedures have proven their effectiveness in not only in treating vaginal laxity, but also early pelvic organ prolapse.
Except for minor skin irritation after laser treatment and which resolves within 24 hours, there are no side effects to the procedure. There is also no need for systemic medications or surgery. A woman can immediately resume her daily activities after treatment, so post-treatment recuperation in a hospital or at home is not required.
If you are suffering from vaginal laxity, you need not endure the pain and discomforts of this condition any longer. Contact Sincere Healthcare Group today and ask about our Post-Delivery Vaginal Reconditioning Programme.
