Changes in the vagina can occur naturally over time due to aging, lifestyle factors, or injury. These changes can bring discomfort and other symptoms that affect your daily life and intimate relationships. While these issues are often a part of life, they don’t have to be permanent.
At Lively Wellness & Aesthetics in Odessa, TX, our vaginal rejuvenation treatments can address many of these symptoms, offering physical relief and improved functionality. These treatments enhance the natural tissue’s health and the strength of the surrounding muscles to help you feel more at ease in your body.
Vaginal Changes and Their Causes
The Aging Process and Hormonal Shifts
As the body ages, hormonal changes can affect vaginal tissue. A decrease in estrogen levels often leads to thinning of the vaginal walls, reduced elasticity, and dryness. Hormonal fluctuations throughout life, including during breastfeeding, menopause, or medical treatments like chemotherapy, can contribute. Without sufficient estrogen, the tissue becomes more fragile and less able to maintain its natural moisture, which can lead to discomfort during daily activities and intimacy.
Childbirth and Vaginal Trauma
Childbirth is a major event for the body, and it can cause changes to the vaginal area. During delivery, the muscles and tissues in the vaginal canal stretch which can lead to a loss of tone or laxity afterward. For some patients, tears or episiotomies during childbirth may leave scars that cause ongoing discomfort. Even years after childbirth, these issues can persist, affecting physical function and sometimes contributing to urinary incontinence.
Lifestyle Factors
Certain lifestyle habits can also contribute to changes in vaginal health. For example, smoking can reduce blood flow to tissues, leading to dryness and slower healing. Chronic stress or physical inactivity may also impact muscle tone in the pelvic area over time. Other factors, such as frequent use of harsh soaps or certain medications, can disrupt the natural balance of the vaginal environment.
What Discomforts Can Come With Vaginal Changes?
- Decreased Vaginal Tightness: Loss of natural elasticity can affect how the area feels during intimacy and may lead to a sense of looseness that some patients find uncomfortable or unsatisfying.
- Urinary Incontinence: Weakened pelvic muscles can lead to difficulty controlling the bladder, resulting in leaks during activities like sneezing, laughing, or exercising. This is a common concern for those who’ve experienced childbirth or hormonal changes.
- Vaginal Dryness and Irritation: Vaginal dryness from hormonal shifts or other factors can make everyday activities, as well as intimacy, unpleasant, even with the use of lubricants. Addressing these symptoms with treatments designed to support vaginal health can bring much-needed relief.
- Pelvic Pain or Heaviness: Some patients describe a sensation of heaviness or pain in the pelvic area, sometimes linked to weakened muscles or changes in tissue support. This discomfort can interfere with daily life and may worsen with prolonged standing or physical activity.
- Reduced Sexual Pleasure: Changes in tissue elasticity, lubrication, and sensitivity can all contribute to a decrease in pleasure during intimacy. This can also directly or indirectly affect your interest in intimacy.
- Reduced Confidence in the Bedroom: Feeling uncomfortable with changes in your body can affect how you approach intimacy. When physical issues like dryness or laxity are resolved, many patients feel more at ease, which can translate to improved confidence in personal relationships.
What Is Vaginal Rejuvenation?
Vaginal rejuvenation refers to a range of treatments that improve the health and function of the vaginal area. These treatments often focus on issues like laxity, dryness, irritation, or discomfort caused by hormonal changes, aging, or childbirth. The goal is to provide relief from physical symptoms and improve daily quality of life.
Vaginal Rejuvenation Treatment Options
Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation
Laser therapy stimulates the body’s natural repair process in the targeted area. For vaginal rejuvenation, the laser creates a series of microthermal zones in the vaginal tissue and prompts it to produce new collagen and improve elasticity. This option is ideal for concerns like laxity, dryness, or discomfort. Many patients find it helpful after childbirth or during menopause when these changes are most noticeable. One of the benefits of laser vaginal therapy is its versatility—it can be done between pregnancies to rehabilitate the area after birth trauma or as a periodic treatment to maintain tissue health.
The O-Shot®
The O-Shot uses platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to rejuvenate tissue and enhance sensitivity. The PRP is drawn from your blood, processed to concentrate the growth factors, and then injected into specific areas to promote healing and regeneration. This approach can improve natural lubrication, restore elasticity, and enhance pleasure during intimacy. The O-Shot can also be performed between pregnancies or as desired to receive physical and functional benefits without invasive techniques or downtime.
Radiofrequency Vaginal Tightening
Radiofrequency (RF) technology, like Forma V or Aviva, delivers controlled heat to the vaginal tissue to stimulate collagen production and improve elasticity. The warmth from the RF device tightens tissues and enhances blood flow to the area, supporting overall tissue health and function. RF treatments can help address dryness and mild urinary incontinence. With no downtime and a comfortable experience, RF vaginal tightening is a good choice for patients looking to regain function and physical comfort.
EMSELLA®
EMSELLA is a unique, chair-based treatment that strengthens the pelvic floor muscles through high-intensity electromagnetic stimulation. The technology targets the muscles responsible for bladder control and vaginal support, delivering the equivalent of thousands of Kegel exercises in a single session. It is helpful for patients experiencing urinary incontinence or a weakened pelvic floor. The treatment is non-invasive and requires no downtime, allowing patients to remain fully clothed throughout the session.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can be an effective option for vaginal rejuvenation, particularly for patients experiencing symptoms related to hormonal imbalances. By restoring estrogen and other key hormones to optimal levels, BHRT helps improve the health and function of vaginal tissue. This treatment can address concerns like dryness, thinning, and loss of elasticity that often accompany menopause or other hormonal changes.
Combining Treatments for Enhanced Results
For many patients, a combination of treatments can offer the best results. Pairing laser therapy or RF tightening with the O-Shot can enhance both structural support and tissue regeneration. Adding EMSELLA can further strengthen the pelvic floor and address multiple concerns in a single plan. During your consultation, we will let you know if we recommend using different methods to restore the vaginal and pelvic areas.
Improve Your Sexual Health With Our Vaginal Rejuvenation Treatments
Vaginal rejuvenation is a way to address physical discomforts and improve vaginal health by focusing on the tissue’s natural repair and regeneration processes. With treatments available to target concerns like laxity, dryness, and pelvic floor support, you can take steps toward greater comfort and functionality. To learn more about the treatments we provide at Lively Wellness & Aesthetics in Odessa, TX, call us at (432) 580-9168 or contact us through our online form.