Aesthetic Gynecology

At the Intimate Wellness Institute of Virginia, we believe every woman deserves to feel comfortable, confident, and informed about her intimate health. Our expert team understands that changes in the appearance and function of your vaginal area can be difficult to discuss. Most women experience concerns about this area of their bodies throughout their lives. We want you to know you’re not alone and at IWI you have expert support available for all aspects of these issues.

The Intimate Wellness Institute, led by the internationally recognized Urogynecologist and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgeon, Dr. Nathan Guerette, provides a level of care you won’t find anywhere else in the Mid-Atlantic.

We are the region’s only comprehensive center dedicated specifically to women’s intimate wellness, combining advanced aesthetic techniques with an expert understanding of pelvic function. At IWI we have a unique holistic approach to aesthetic gynecology focusing on both appearance and function. This means we not only help you achieve the appearance you desire but also ensure optimal function, drawing on our specialized expertise in Urogynecology to improve and maintain your sexual health, bladder control, and bowel function. This is fundamentally different from specialties that only focus on cosmetics. We bring unparalleled experience and sensitivity to these personal matters, giving you the confidence that you are in the hands of true experts.

Common Changes Women Notice (Symptoms and Concerns)

Life events and natural changes can sometimes lead to feelings of self-consciousness or physical discomfort. Some common concerns we hear from women include:

• Concerns About Labia: Feeling sensitive about the size or shape of the inner or outer vaginal lips (labia), perhaps noticing they are different sizes (asymmetry) or larger than preferred. This can sometimes cause discomfort during exercise, certain activities, or intimacy.
• Changes in Vaginal Tightness: Noticing a feeling of looseness in the vagina, often after childbirth or simply due to aging. This change can sometimes affect sexual satisfaction and overall confidence.
• Vaginal Dryness and Discomfort (Vaginal Atrophy): Especially common during and after menopause, you might experience dryness, thinning tissues, or irritation in the vagina. This can make intimacy uncomfortable or even painful.
• Concerns About the Clitoral Hood: Feeling that the skin covering the clitoris is excessive, potentially causing unhappiness with appearance, discomfort, or affecting sensation during intimacy.
• Interest in Enhancing Sensation: Some women are interested in exploring ways to potentially increase sensitivity in specific areas, like the G-spot, to enhance their sexual experience.

Why These Changes Happen (Causes and Factors)

It’s natural to wonder why these changes occur. They are often a normal part of a woman’s life journey and can be influenced by various factors:

• Pregnancy and Childbirth: Carrying and delivering a baby can naturally stretch and change the tissues in the vaginal area.
• Aging and Hormonal Shifts:  As we age, especially around menopause, changing hormone levels and a natural decrease in collagen (the body’s building block for tissue strength) can lead to changes like tissue thinning or reduced elasticity (laxity).
• Genetics: Just like eye or hair color, the natural shape and size of your labia can be inherited.
• Significant Weight Changes: Gaining or losing a substantial amount of weight can sometimes affect the appearance of this area.
• Medical History: Certain health conditions or past surgeries in the pelvic region can also play a role.

How We Can Help: Your Options for Care (Treatment Options)

Achieving your goals: your comfort, confidence, and well-being are our top priorities. If any of these concerns are affecting your quality of life, we are here to help you explore safe and effective solutions. We offer a range of options, always tailoring our approach to your unique needs and goals. Our highly skilled team will listen carefully and guide you toward the best path for you. Some common approaches include:

Labiaplasty:

A surgical procedure carefully performed to reshape or reduce the size of the labia (inner or outer vaginal lips), aiming to improve comfort and achieve your desired appearance.

Vaginoplasty:

A surgical procedure designed to gently tighten the vaginal canal, helping to restore tone and potentially enhance sensation.

Vaginal Rejuvenation:

This is a general term referring to an array of treatments used to make the appearance and function of the vagina more youthful. These include non-surgical options, like gentle laser therapy or radiofrequency treatments. These work by encouraging your body to produce more collagen, elastin, nerves and blood vessels which can help improve tissue thickness, moisture, sensitivity and tightness without surgery, pain or down-time. There are also minimally invasive surgical options if more significant change is desired.

Clitoral Hood Reduction (Hoodectomy):

A procedure to reduce excess skin around the clitoris, often done to improve comfort or potentially enhance sensation.

G-Spot Amplification:

A simple, non-surgical injection (known as the O-Shot) designed to potentially increase sensitivity in both the G-spot area and the clitoris itself.

Tailoring Your Treatment: Understanding Different Approaches (Types of Surgery/Procedures)

When considering your treatment, it helps to know there are different types of approaches available. Dr. Guerette and the expert team at IWI offer all available treatments to address these concerns.

Surgical Procedures:

Options like Labiaplasty and Vaginoplasty involve precise surgical techniques. While highly effective, they do require a dedicated period for healing and recovery.

Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures

Surgical procedures like Labiaplasty and Vaginoplasty are performed using precise, minimally invasive methods. Dr. Guerette’s specialized approach is designed to achieve excellent results while enhancing your comfort and shortening your recovery period.

Non-Surgical Procedures:

Treatments using advanced technology like lasers or radiofrequency energy often involve little to no downtime, minimal discomfort, and quicker recovery times.

At IWI, we are committed to providing comprehensive care, utilizing state-of-the-art options, from non-surgical solutions to minimally invasive and robotic surgery when needed. Our goal is always to find the safest, most effective, and most comfortable path to help you reclaim your confidence and enjoy a high quality of life. Please reach out to us to schedule a private consultation where we can discuss your personal concerns in a supportive and understanding environment.