Vaginoplasty

Vaginoplasty: Restoring Tone, Confidence, and Intimacy

At the Intimate Wellness Institute of Virginia, we understand that vaginal laxity is a common yet often unspoken concern that can deeply affect a woman’s confidence and quality of life. Even though it is a very common health issue, many women and their physicians are reluctant to discuss it. We want you to know that you are not alone, and you do not have to live with the physical discomfort or self-consciousness it can cause. We have created a comfortable, judgment-free environment for you to openly discuss your concerns. Our mission is to listen, to understand, and to provide world-class solutions that help you feel better and restore your sense of well-being.

Understanding Vaginal Laxity: More Than Just a Feeling

Vaginal laxity, often described as a feeling of vaginal “looseness,” occurs when the muscles, skin, connective tissue, and nerves of the vaginal canal lose their natural tone, sensation, and elasticity. As this supportive structure weakens, the lower portion of the vagina may feel more open, leading to a range of physical and emotional symptoms:

• Physical Sensations: Reduced sensation for both you and your partner during penetrative sex, leading to diminished arousal and sexual satisfaction. Many women also experience vaginal dryness, irritation, pelvic pressure, or even new or worsening bladder and bowel control issues.
• Emotional Impact: The loss of function and changes in intimacy can understandably lead to a loss of confidence, depression, or anxiety surrounding sexual encounters.

What Causes These Changes? A Look at the Factors

Vaginal laxity is a result of changes to the body’s supportive tissues. The most common causes include:

• Childbirth: This is the most significant risk factor. During a vaginal delivery, the tissues at the vaginal opening stretch to accommodate the baby’s head. This process can have permanent effects, and the tissue may never fully recover its previous tone. The effects often begin with the first delivery and can be compounded by subsequent births.
• Aging and Menopause: As we age, especially after menopause, our bodies produce less collagen, the essential protein that provides strength and support to our tissues. This can cause the vaginal walls to thin, lose tone, and become dry, making intercourse uncomfortable and contributing to laxity. At IWI, we offer excellent treatment options for postmenopausal vaginal health, including hormone optimization.
• Trauma: A traumatic childbirth, such as one requiring forceps or involving twins, can significantly increase the risk of tissue trauma and laxity.
• Sexual Trauma or Abuse: We recognize with profound sensitivity that physical damage to the vaginal tissue can be a consequence of sexual abuse. At the Intimate Wellness Institute, we are deeply committed to helping survivors recover from both physical and psychological trauma, providing expert care to help restore function and confidence in a safe, supportive space.
• Genetic Disorders: Certain rare connective tissue diseases can predispose individuals to tissue laxity. The good news is that patients with these conditions respond just as well to treatment.

Restoring Tone and Confidence: Your Vaginoplasty Options at IWI

This condition can be treated successfully. As the Mid-Atlantic’s leading center for intimate wellness, we offer every state-of-the-art treatment available today. The best path for you depends on your goals and the extent of the issue. Dr. Guerette and the IWI team will dedicate time to create your individual plan, and you can feel hopeful knowing that over 95 percent of patients experience dramatic improvements with treatment.

A. Non-Surgical Vaginal Tightening

For women with mild to moderate laxity, or for those who prefer a non-invasive approach, we offer a suite of pioneering technologies.

Energy-Based Treatments (Laser & Radiofrequency)

Dr. Guerette is a national pioneer in developing the use of gentle rejuvenating lasers and radiofrequency (RF) for improving vaginal health.

• How They Work: Both laser and RF treatments involve a simple, 5-to-10-minute office procedure with minimal to no discomfort. A specialized device delivers gentle energy to the vaginal tissue, which signals your body to form new, healthy collagen, nerves, and blood vessels. This natural healing response improves tissue tightness, lubrication, sensitivity, and overall sexual response.
• The Experience: Topical anesthetic cream ensures your total comfort during a laser treatment, while RF often requires no anesthesia at all. There is no major preparation and little to no recovery time. Dr. Guerette’s extensive research confirms that when performed by an expert, these are remarkably safe procedures with no long-term risks.
• Results: Studies show over 90% of patients report a significant improvement in sexual function. While many women feel a difference within two weeks, the full effects manifest over three months as your body builds new collagen. The benefits typically last 12-18 months, after which a simple touch-up treatment can restore the improvement.

Pelvic Floor Strengthening (Emsella™ Therapy)

Emsella™ is an FDA-cleared, revolutionary treatment for strengthening the entire pelvic floor.

• How It Works: This breakthrough technology uses High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic energy (HIFEM) to stimulate thousands of deep, powerful pelvic floor muscle contractions—the equivalent of doing 11,000 Kegel exercises in a single 28-minute session.
• The Experience: You simply sit comfortably on the Emsella chair, fully clothed. The procedure is non-invasive, and you can resume all normal activities immediately afterward. A typical course is six sessions over three weeks.

B. Surgical Vaginoplasty (Vaginal Tightening Surgery)

For women with more significant laxity or those seeking a permanent, transformative result, surgical vaginoplasty is the gold standard.

Dr. Guerette’s Advanced Surgical Technique

With this minimally invasive procedure, Dr. Guerette uses a vaginal approach to meticulously repair and tighten the deeper support structures—the pelvic floor (Kegel) muscles and connective tissues, as well as the vaginal opening itself. The external and internal skin is then tightened and smoothed.

• The IWI Advantage: Dr. Guerette has developed many of these advanced techniques himself. He uses state-of-the-art laser and plasma blade technology to increase surgical precision and knot-free suture techniques to improve healing, eliminating the pain and risk associated with suture removal. This procedure can usually be performed in our comfortable office procedure center with sedation and regional anesthesia.
• Your Recovery: You will be able to walk and perform gentle daily activities immediately. The area will feel sore, but this is well-managed with topical medication, ice, and minimal pain medication. Most soreness resolves within one to two weeks. While you will have some restrictions, such as avoiding sexual activity while you heal, you can return to most daily activities very quickly.

The IWI Advantage: Why Your Choice of Professional is Critical

Dr. Guerette has developed many modern techniques for both surgical and non-surgical vaginoplasty and is by far the most experienced surgeon in the region. His advanced methods, from laser protocols to knot-free surgical closures, are designed to maximize your results while prioritizing your safety and comfort. The entire IWI team is the most advanced in the area, dedicated to supporting you with expert care and answering all your questions before, during, and after your procedure.

We often find that the most effective and comprehensive results come from Combination Therapy. For example, combining a surgical vaginoplasty with Emsella™ to further strengthen the muscles can provide an outcome that is simply unparalleled.

Your Path to Renewed Intimacy and Confidence Starts Here

You deserve to feel confident and comfortable in your body and enjoy your intimate life to the fullest. If you are ready to address concerns about vaginal laxity, we are here to help.

Contact The Intimate Wellness Institute of Virginia today to schedule your private, compassionate consultation with Dr. Guerette. Let us guide you on your journey to restoring your function, confidence, and well-being.