Introduction
Women have always been concerned about their appearance and have been searching for ways to improve their appearance for centuries. Recently, the focus has even shifted to the appearance of the genital region. Some women are emotionally and psychologically affected by the changes in the vagina following childbirth. The problems associated with the aesthetic appearance and functioning of the genital region were considered taboo for years. However, the situation has changed, and there is a drastic increase in the number of women opting for aesthetic surgical corrections in the genital region.
What Does Designer Vagina Mean?
The designer vagina is a term that is collectively used for all cosmetic surgical procedures carried out in the vulvar and vaginal regions. Designer vagina procedures, which are a common trend among celebrities, have now become popular among common people too. In the United States, from 2013 to 2018, there has been a 53 % increase in designer vagina procedures. An ideal vagina is described as one that is rounded, youthful, tight, and with labia majora enclosing labia minora and clitoris. All the genital cosmetic surgical procedures that are carried out are aimed at achieving pubertal genitalia.
The term designer vagina is also commonly referred to as the following:
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Female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS).
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Female genital plastic surgery (FGPS).
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Labia reshaping.
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Shortening of labia.
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FGPS, or designer vagina, includes the following procedures:
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Vaginoplasty (vaginal muscle tightening).
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Labiaplasty or Labiaplasty (reduction of labia minora).
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Labia majora augmentation.
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Liposuction of the mons pubis.
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Hymen reconstruction.
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Hoodectomy (reducing the skin around the clitoris).
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Laser therapy for removing labial wrinkles.
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Hair transplantation for hypotrichosis of the mons pubis.
How Does Designer Vagina Appear?
The designer vagina shows the following features:
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A tightened vaginal cavity (with reduced vaginal diameter) enhances sexual satisfaction in some.
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Labia minora (inner folds of female genitalia) are shortened, thus having a more aesthetic appearance.
What Are the Indications for Designer Vagina?
The following are the indications of a designer vagina:
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Women who experience discomfort wearing certain clothing (like leggings).
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Women who are not satisfied with their sexual function and have discomfort during intercourse.
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Women have asymmetrical labia.
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In cases of visible labia that usually fall out of the clothing (while wearing swimsuits).
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Women who have low self-esteem due to the dissatisfied appearance of the genital regions.
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Women who have extra skin in the genital region.
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Loss of vaginal elasticity following childbirth or due to aging.
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The patient should be otherwise healthy, both physically and mentally.
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Non-smokers.
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Patients should not have bleeding disorders.
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Those patients who are not interested in getting pregnant after the procedure.
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The patient should have realistic expectations of the procedure and an optimistic outlook.
What Are the Common Designer Vagina Procedures?
The common designer vaginal procedures include;
1. Labiaplasty: It is a surgical procedure to decrease or increase the size of the labia minora (the inner skin folds around the vagina). The procedure is done to enhance the appearance of labia or to reduce the physical discomfort experienced by the patient. It can also be done as a part of gender-affirming surgery. In the procedure, either the labia are reduced in size by removing the extra tissue, or a filler material is injected to enlarge the labia.
Labiaplasty is mostly carried out for the following reasons:
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The patient is uncomfortable wearing certain clothing (to eliminate the “camel toe” appearance).
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To give a youthful appearance to the genital region after childbirth.
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The surgeon usually uses any one of the following reduction procedures for the reduction of labia minora:
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The trim procedure, wherein the excess tissue is removed from the outer edge of the labia,.
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Wedge procedure, wherein wedge-shaped tissue is removed from the inner side of the labia.
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When enlarging, fat is removed from another body site by liposuction and injected into the labia.
Recovery of Labiaplasty:
Most women and children are discharged on the same day of surgery. They need about 2 weeks for their recovery from the surgery. But it may take a few months to heal or recover in this part of the skin.
To prevent infections, antibiotics are used. Some precautions are to be followed, including:
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Avoid using tight clothes and underwear.
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Avoid intercourse during the period of recovery.
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Stop doing physical activity and excessive exercise.
2. Vaginoplasty: It is a procedure to reconstruct the vagina and mainly aims to achieve vaginal tightening, especially in women who lost vaginal elasticity to childbirth or aging. The procedure is also used to construct a vagina, as in the case of gender affirmation surgeries. Women undergoing radiation therapy for cancer and needing vaginal reconstruction may also undergo vaginoplasty. Those women undergoing vaginoplasty following childbirth may have complications like dyspareunia (pain during intercourse).
3. Hymen Reconstruction or Hymenoplasty: This is a surgical procedure used for the reconstruction of a torn hymen or to construct a hymen in cases where it is absent.
4. Hoodectomy: It is a surgical procedure, also called clitoral hoodoplasty. It is performed by a cosmetic surgeon who carefully trims the excess skin from the clitoris without disturbing the tissues and nerves. By doing clitoris skin reduction, there is more exposure to the clitoris area, which will increase the sensitivity (increased sexual pleasure).
5. Liposuction of Mons Pubis: The liposuction procedure is used to remove excess fatty tissue and thereby enhance the appearance of the pubic region. Small incisions are made in the pubic region, and excess fat is removed using a cannula.
What Are the Risks Associated With the Procedure?
As a designer vagina involves surgical procedures, it also presents certain risks associated with surgery, which include:
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Bleeding.
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Anesthetic complications.
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Infections.
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Bruising.
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Scarring (light scarring can occur; however, vaginal scars are unnoticeable).
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Swelling (mild swelling can last for about six months).
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Damage to the nerves.
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Mild to moderate pain (the recovery stage can be painful but subsides with time and proper medications).
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Dissatisfaction with the treatment results.
Conclusion
Designer vaginas are not considered to be medically essential. As most are surgical procedures, they involve certain risks. Furthermore, there is no sufficient data to support the efficacy of these procedures, as they are done to enhance sexual function only occasionally, and the procedures are expensive, too. The quest to achieve perfection and going in the way of celebrities can sometimes become risky, too. So, the decision to design a vagina should be taken only under the guidance of an experienced surgeon and only in cases where it is extremely necessary.
