I met Sumebi over 15 years ago when she was a 36-year-old mother of four. She was miserable because her husband would not have sex with her as frequently as they used to when they were dating. He told her it was a lot of work making love with her because her vagina had become saggy, ugly and distorted from childbearing and age.

So she called me to ask if there were natural remedies or surgical procedures to reshape and tighten the vagina. She also wanted to know if the doctor could do an episiotomy, cut off the excess flesh to narrow the canal if she were to have another child. At that time vaginal surgery was not popular in Nigeria.

The purpose of this article is to inform you so you can make informed decisions. According to Margaret Oliphant, “Whether a woman does this for medical or aesthetic reasons, it’s her choice.”

For non-invasive vaginal tightening, I do know that correctly performed Kegels exercise can be used to strengthen the pelvic floor and indirectly the walls of the vagina, but I am not sure if it improves the appearance.

In the olden days, grandmas taught girls eighteen years and above to contract and release the walls of their vaginas (modified Kegels) during intercourse and after childbirth. Thus the dimensions of the vagina didn’t matter because it just did its work. Unfortunately, this culture has gone with the wind as we adopt our new Westernised culture.

It is good to note that although vaginal tissues can stretch, surgically tightening the vaginal is no guarantee for a heightened sexual response. According to psychologists, and any experienced person would know that desire, arousal, and orgasm are complex, personal responses, which depend on your emotions, state of mind, the persons involved and the relationship, among others. Apart from these, believe it or not, sexual “sensitivity” doesn’t automatically lead to more pleasure – it can actually lead to pain. Therefore apart from surgery, it would be helpful if we had a few talk sessions before opting for surgery to aid the loss of self-esteem and embarrassment aspect, otherwise, you would be expecting too much from the surgery.

Due to the widespread demand for vaginal tightening, and repair, I began to search for a specialist. During the search, I discovered spas in Lagos provided services like vagina tightening soaks/baths as well as sold gels, creams, and portions that did the job. Whether they do the job, I don’t know.

While searching, I met another lady Abba, 28 years old. In her case, she had used alum and lime solution to tighten her vagina. Unfortunately, the harshness eroded the mucous membrane, causing a lot of scarring, pain and an excessively narrow vagina that had almost closed up.

The third reason why I continued the search was to find a repair for the numerous women who had scarred sore vaginas due to the complications of female genital mutilation.

Eventually found one not too long ago, and referred Sumebi after discussing the pros, cons, and risks of the surgery. Two years later she’s still happy with her surgery. Abba has treated her scarred vagina, and Nko has repaired her mutilated genitals and is pain free for the first time in decades.

A woman’s vagina is an elastic, muscular canal that has a soft and flexible lining which provides sensation and lubrication. The vagina is the bridge that connects the uterus to the outside world. This sensitive part of the female body serves as a conduit for menstrual flow, intercourse and a gateway in childbirth.

For a lot of us women, aging, childbirth, and circumcision take a toll on the vagina. These conditions cause us to lose muscle tone of the vagina over time. This natural occurrence can lead to reduced sexual satisfaction (for both partners), embarrassment and a loss of self-esteem especially when your partner complains about the laxity.

Like every other muscle in the body, the vagina can expand and contract. There are so many misconceptions about what is responsible for a loose vagina, some of the frequently asked questions include but not limited to:

Does Childbirth Widen the Vagina?

Childbirth on its own does not always loosen the vagina. During labor, the cervical muscles contract and expand until after delivery. The process can leave the vagina wall wider afterward, however, during recovery period the muscle tightens itself. The problem of vaginal loosening arises when a woman does not give her body time to recover after each birth. Having three to four children within a short period can loosen the vagina because there isn’t sufficient time for it to contract before it is strained again during labor.

Does Too Much Sex Expand The Vagina?

This misconception about the vagina is very common, especially in Nigeria. It is often said that excessively engaging in sexual activity is responsible for vaginal loosening; this is not true. Medical science has shown that regular sex is a good exercise routine that helps tighten the vagina. Regular orgasms can firm up the vagina and give the woman a narrow canal.

What is responsible for vaginal loosening?

The hammock-like muscle that goes from the pubic bone to the tailbone or coccyx, and is called pubococcygeus. This muscle forms a floor for the pelvic cavity and supports the pelvic organs. Vagina tightening depends on this muscle because like every other muscle the pubococcygeus slackens with time. The secret to keeping your vagina tight lies in your ability to care for your pubococcygeus.

What is vaginal Surgery?

Vaginal surgery also known as vaginoplasty or vaginal rejuvenation may either be viewed as a functional procedure or as a cosmetic or plastic surgery for the vulva and vagina. This surgery is functional one when used as a treatment for pelvic organ prolapse or repair of scarring from circumcision.

One of the fastest ways to tighten your vagina is to opt for surgery. Vagina surgery was initially invented to correct birth defects such as the shallow, malformed or absent vagina. With time, it became more of a cosmetic surgery than a reconstructive one. There are two main types of vaginal surgery – vaginoplasty and labiaplasty.

Vaginoplasty

The aim of this surgery is to tighten the vagina. Plastic surgeons claim that it doesn’t just make the vagina tight but also increases sexual sensitivity. Medical experts have challenged the notion that vaginoplasty can increase sexual sensitivity. It is true that this surgery helps in tightening the vagina, but there is no guarantee that this procedure can enhance sexual pleasure. Many other factors influence sexual responses; they could be emotional, interpersonal, and even aesthetic not just physical. Apart from that, increased sexual sensitivity can lead to pain as well as pleasure.

Labiaplasty

This procedure involves changing the size and appearance of the labia (the lips of the vagina). The labia is the inner and outer fold of the vulva at the edge of the vagina.

Designer vagina refers to a group of procedures that are purely for cosmetic reasons. It is essential that patients weigh all of the possible risks and cons of having the surgery before undergoing any procedure.

The disadvantages are usually not common when performed by a specialist, they often include:

• Infections, injury to the bladder or bleeding
• Change in sensation
• Scarring and pain
• Unsatisfactory results that may necessitate additional procedures
• Vaginal delivery will alter the results, so ?opt for an elective CS

Nonsurgical tightening

Pelvic floor exercises

If you are not comfortable with surgery, your gynecologist could prescribe pelvic exercises to help tighten your vagina. Pelvic exercises are the most common methods of toning and tightening the vaginal muscles without surgery. These exercises are often recommended for women after delivery. It is important that you do the exercise right. A qualified physiotherapist will show you how. Like any other form of exercise, pelvic floor exercises must be done regularly in other to be effective.

Vaginal tightening pills

There are several types or oral and vaginal medicines that can be prescribed to tighten the vagina. It is recommended that such pills be swallowed or inserted before bedtime for maximum effect.

Author: Dr. Nse