Medical aesthetic expert Dr Portia Gumede explains what it involves and how you can benefit from it.
1. What is vaginal rejuvenation?
As women age, the vagina is affected by a number of things ranging from decreased collagen production to vaginal dryness and female sexual dysfunction. Oestrogen-based treatments are effective for some of these conditions, but many patients are reluctant to be treated due to health concerns regarding oestrogen. More and more women now prefer non-surgical treatments. Vaginal rejuvenation is the treatment of these conditions using non-surgical procedures. For example, you can inject platelet-rich plasma (PRP) into the upper wall of the vagina, triggering stem cell multiplication and new tissue growth, to enhance sexual response.
2. What does the procedure entail?
Firstly, the patient does a pap smear, then blood is drawn from the patient and placed in a test tube. The blood is then spun in a centrifuge machine, which separates the blood cells into platelet-rich and platelet-poor plasma. It is then aspirated into a syringe along with platelets that contain alpha granules, minerals, enzymes and growth factors (GF). The PRP is mixed with calcium chloride to activate the GFs and this is then injected onto the clitoris (numbed with a local anaesthesia) as well as onto the vaginal wall.
3. Are there other non-invasive procedures?
Yes, there are other procedures one can undergo, including carbon dioxide laser treatments and radio frequency treatments. These tighten the vaginal walls.
4. Who are the best candidates?
Anyone who is in their early 20s to late 60s.
5. What are the common reasons one would want to get undergo this procedure?
- Stress urinary incontinence
- Vaginal atrophy
- Recurrent infections
- Post-delivery rehabilitation
- Female sexual dysfunction
- sexual intercourse
6. What does the procedure improve?
- Cellular growth
- New generation and repair of blood vessels
- Collagen production
- Tissue repair
- Promotion of wound healing
7. This leads to?
- Decrease in stress urinary incontinence
- Improved vaginal hydration
- Fewer vaginal infections
- Improved sexual function, including libido
- Decreased pain
