As women age, we become more aware of the diseases and conditions that can negatively affect our health and quality of life. We focus diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes to prevent and manage diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and even COPD. We follow hormonal regimens to combat the effects of menopause and we take supplements to battle osteoporosis.
When it comes to our outsides, we spend millions of dollars a year on cosmetic potions and procedures designed to tighten the skin, remove wrinkles, and return us to our youthful glory.
Unfortunately, in our quest for health, wellness, and the fountain of youth, we often neglect one area: our sexual health.
What is Sexual Health?
According to the World Health Organization, sexual health is defined in part by:
“…a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences…”
With aging, our sexual health can take a hit because we may no longer have the possibility of having pleasurable sexual experiences. Sometimes it’s due to disease, such as diabetes, but other times it’s due to a dysfunction caused by aging or the effects of childbirth.
In those instances it is possible to restore sexual health with proven gynecological procedures.
Gynecology and Sexual Health
There are several gynecological conditions that can interfere with a woman’s sexual health, either physically or emotionally.
· Urinary incontinence can create psychological and emotional roadblocks to intimacy;
· Overly tight, or overly loos vaginal walls can cause painful intercourse or a loss of sensation, and;
· Scar tissue from child birth can also cause pain or loss of sensation.
All of these conditions, and many others, can be easily corrected by surgical procedures performed by Rejuvenic LA and other providers of minimally invasive, and cosmetic gynecology.
Common Procedures
Vaginoplasty
Vaginoplasty is, perhaps, the most common form of cosmetic gynecology. The procedure involves reducing the diameter of the vagina, thereby repairing the loss of sensation that some women experience when their vaginal muscles loosen with age.
Although the vaginoplasty is considered a cosmetic procedure, it can also have medical and psychological benefits. For example, a procedure called urethro-vaginoplasty can relieve urinary incontinence in some women.
Vaginal Loosening
The reverse of vaginoplasty, vaginal loosening enlarges the vaginal opening in cases where it may be too tight causing painful intercourse.
Like vaginoplasty, vaginal loosening is considered a cosmetic procedure, but it can have medical and psychological benefits.
Correcting Urinary Incontinence
Stress incontinence affects one in three women, and is the most common form of urinary incontinence. As the name suggest, the incontinence usually occurs under physical stress, such as coughing, laughing, or during sexual intercourse. Although pelvic floor exercises can help, they do not always work for everyone. Some women benefit from non-invasive surgical procedures, such as injectable bulking agents, that help hold the sphincter closed to prevent leakage.
As always, you should consult with your general practitioner or gynecologist regarding any cosmetic or surgical procedure.