Female Genital Procedures

Female Genital Procedures are performed by a Gynaecologist and Aesthetic Surgeons on the female reproductive system. Various types of procedures included are

1. Vaginoplasty
2. Labiaplasty
3. Hymenoplasty

Vaginoplasty is done to:

1. Repair any damage to the vagina during childbirth or trauma.
2. Reconstruct the vagina in those women who had congenital defects in vaginal development
3. Congenital disorders  such as adrenal hyperplasia
4. For treatment of malignant vaginal masses or abscesses to restore the normal structure and function

How is Vaginoplasty performed?

1. Vaginoplasty is a procedure done to repair or construct the vagina. 
2. The technique used to perform it includes:
3. The intestinal type - A portion of the small intestine or colon is used to create a new vagina.
4. Sutures are used to secure the loose tissue.

What to expect before Vaginoplasty?

1. 3-6 months before the surgery, you will need to undergo permanent hair removal in the genital area.
2. Smoking cessation.
3. Weight reduction, in case of being obese.
4. Practice various pelvic floor exercises as recommended.
5. The surgeon will ask to stop oestrogen supplements at least 2 weeks before and painkillers like aspirin or ibuprofen 10 days before surgery.

What to expect on the day of Vaginoplasty?

You will be asked to sign various consent forms before undergoing the procedure.

What to expect during Vaginoplasty?

1. After you are taken to the operation theatre, you will change into a surgical gown. The nurse will take your vitals.
2. They will place an intravenous line in your arm or hand, and a urinary catheter will be placed in the urethra.
3. General anaesthesia is given                                                                                                                                                              
4. Extra skin is removed
5. Stitches are used to tighten up the loose tissues
6. The size of the vaginal opening is reduced

What to expect after Vaginoplasty?

1. You will need to stay in the hospital for five to seven days, after which you will be discharged and will be advised of the following instructions:
2. Avoid strenuous activity like swimming for 6 weeks
3. Bath can be taken after the first postoperative visit
4. Ice application in the groyne can help in relieving the labial swelling and pain
5. Refrain from intercourse for 3 months after surgery
6. The genital area should be cleaned from front to back
7. Tight clothing should be avoided
8. Smoking cessation for 1 month after surgery
9. Dilation is an important part of recovery. Dilators may be provided to the patient with instructions regarding dilation in the postoperative period.

Labiaplasty or vaginal rejuvenation is a type of cosmetic surgery that is done to modify the labia minora and the labia majora.

Why is Labiaplasty Done? 

It is done in the following cases:

1. Painful sexual intercourse due to enlarged labia
2. Enlarged labial folds cause discomfort during sports activities
3. Urinary tract infection 

How is Labiaplasty performed?

1.  Trim resection involves the removal of the tissue from the outer edge of one or both sides of the labia minora.
2. Wedge resection involves the removal of the wedge or pie-shaped piece of tissue skin from the centre of the labia minora, leaving the submucosa intact. The remaining skin is then brought together using sutures.
3. Labia Majora can be modified by either removing the excess tissue using liposuction in case of enlarged labia majora or by injecting fat in cases where labia majora is not as full as desired.
4. In case of gender-affirming surgery, the graft can be taken from the penis to create the labia.

What to expect before Labiaplasty?

1. Blood-thinning medications should be stopped 2 weeks before surgery
2. Smoking should be stopped 4 weeks before and after the procedure
3. Alcohol should not be consumed 2 days before the surgery

What to expect on the day of the Labiaplasty?

You will be asked to sign various consent forms before undergoing the procedure

What to Expect during Labiaplasty?

1. After you are taken to the operation theatre, you will change into a surgical gown. The nurse will take your vitals.
2. They will place an intravenous line in your arm or hand and a urinary catheter will be placed in the urethra.
3. Next, the surgeon will cleanse the labial region and shave the pubic area.
4. Anaesthesia administered can be general or local depending upon the type of procedure being performed.
5. The surgeon will decide about the surgical technique that has to be used to modify the labia minora or majora.
6. The procedure takes less than 2 hours to complete.

What to Expect after Labiaplasty?

1. Urinary catheter will be removed 
2. Bleeding and pain, if any, will be chequed and treated
3. You will be advised of the following:
   1. 1Strenuous activities should be avoided for the first couple of days after surgery
   2. Ice application can be made in the groyne area for the first week to decrease swelling and pain

It is a procedure done for the reconstruction of the hymen.

Why is Hymenoplasty done?

It is done in the following cases

1. For religious or cultural purposes
2. To recover from a traumatic incident like rape in which hymen is torn
3. Accidental rupture of the hymen due to bicycle riding, swimming, horse riding
4. Imperforate hymen (entire opening of the vagina is covered by the hymen)
5. Septate hymen(hymen tissue is split into rope-like bands)

How is Hymenoplasty Done?

1. The procedure is done under local anaesthesia 
2. In the basic technique, torn skin around the hymen is removed, and the remaining tissue is stitched together, leaving a tiny opening.
3. In the Alloplant technique, if the hymen is not present, the surgeon may create a new hymen.

What to Expect before Hymenoplasty?

1. Blood-thinning medications should be stopped 2 weeks before surgery
2. Smoking should be stopped 4 weeks before and after the procedure
3. Alcohol should not be consumed 2 days before the surgery

What to Expect on the Day of the Hymenoplasty?

You will be asked to sign various consent forms before undergoing the procedure.

What to Expect during Hymenoplasty?

1. After you are taken to the operating theatre, you will change into a surgical gown. The nurse will take your vitals.
2. They will place an intravenous line in your arm or hand, and a urinary catheter will be placed in the urethra.
3. Local anaesthesia is given.
4. The surgeon will decide whether the basic or the Alloplant technique has to be performed.
5. The procedure takes only an hour to complete.

What to Expect after Hymenoplasty?

1. You will be kept under observation for a few hours after the procedure to ensure no complications are present, and you can go back home the same day.
2. You can resume the work after 3 or 4 days, but moderate activities should be started only after 10 days.
3. You will be advised of the following
   1. The genital area should be kept clean 
   2. The bath should be taken 2-3 days after the surgery
   3. Ice-packs or warm compresses should be used to decrease the swelling and the pain
   4. Refrain from intercourse at least for 8 weeks after the surgery

Consult a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms after the female genital procedures:

1. Painful sexual intercourse
2. Loss of sensation in the genital area
3. Vaginal dryness
4. Bleeding
5. Formation of vesicovaginal fistulae (abnormal communication between the urinary bladder and the vagina) or rectovaginal fistula (abnormal communication between the rectum and the vagina)
6. Vaginal shortening and narrowing due to fibrous tissue formation