What is Perineoplasty surgery?
Perineoplasty is a surgery that tightens the area between anus and vagina (the perineum). It improves sexual satisfaction, restores function and helps narrow your vaginal opening after childbirth or any related trauma. The surgery focuses on removing scar tissue, unsightly bulges and unwanted skin, and then tightening or loosening the perineal muscles and vagina.
Now let us get familiar with a few important terms, let us know what perineum is. The perineum is the small area located between the anus and the vagina. The perineum has the important job of being a structural support for several surrounding organs, and it covers muscles that play a large part in vaginal tightening and loosening. A number of factors can cause damage to the perineum.
Childbirth: Giving birth vaginally, especially during a difficult uncomplicated delivery, can cause physical trauma to the vaginal and perineal muscles. Sloppy stitching by a less experienced physician to mend either the natural tearing or a planned cut may result in improper healing of the tissue, muscles and perineum and may leave heavy scarring, pain and discomfort. Multiple births may worsen these problems.
Obesity : Excess weight puts strain on the entire body, including the perineum and the structures that it supports. It can also stretch the muscles, causing them to lose elasticity, providing less support as time goes on.
Extreme weight loss : Extreme weight loss causes the perineal and other muscles to droop permanently even though the pressure of weight is gone.
What is Perineoplasty?
Perineoplasty is a surgical procedure to repair the perineum and external organs of the vagina. The purpose is to help support your reproductive organs and pelvic floor muscles. Childbirth, weight loss, trauma and other factors may damage this area and cause the skin around your vaginal opening to become loose and overstretched.
Perineoplasty aims to strengthen and tighten the perineum, narrow the vaginal opening and repair loose, scarred or damaged skin around the vagina.
How long is perineoplasty surgery?
The procedure takes about an hour. After a short recovery in the surgical center or outpatient facility, the patient can go home. A hospital stay is not needed in most cases.
What Other Conditions Does Perineoplasty Treat?
Vaginal itching
Vaginal laxity: looseness of the vaginal opening that may cause decreased sexual sensation
Vaginismus: involuntary contractions of the vagina during attempted sex
Vulvar vestibulitis: extreme pain during attempted penile or tampon entry
Genital wart removal
Incontinence: involuntary urine loss
Introital vaginal stenosis: narrowing of the vagina
Dyspareunia: painful sex due to a small vaginal opening
Cystocele: bump of the bladder into the vagina
Rectocele: bump of the rectum into the bowel
Aesthetic enhancement: tightening of loose or flaccid tissue or bulging to give the area a more attractive visual appearance
Who shouldn’t have perineoplasty?
Women should not have perineoplasty until they have finished having children. It also shouldn't be performed if any woman :
Is pregnant.
Has cancer
Has an active genital infection
Has an abnormal Pap smear
How long does it take to recover?
It takes about six to eight weeks to recover from perineoplasty. During your recovery, you must follow your healthcare provider’s instructions. You should limit your activities for at least four weeks and do not have sex for six weeks.
Is perineoplasty painful?
No perineoplasty is not painful, you won't feel pain during the procedure, but may experience discomfort afterward. Anti-inflammatory medications and pain relievers can help.
References
https://cherokeewomenshealth.com/services/perineoplasty-repair-the-vaginal-opening/