The discussion around “vaginal rejuvenation” is really hotting. But its also confused somewhat by social media, Kardashians and “designer vagina” promotions!
Still, gynaecological symptoms women live with is now being talked about, and that’s good! If men had to put up with leaking urine when they coughed, sneezed or jumped up and down, or painful sex, we would have been having these conversations years ago!
It isn’t really surprising that someone had a light bulb moment when they started to question whether the devices we use for skin tightening on the face and body might not work on vulval and vaginal tissue as well (must have been a woman!). When we use heating devices on skin, we are causing trauma to the skin in a controlled way.
This makes our cells fire up and release growth factor and other healing substances that promote the production of collagen and with some treatments, elastin too. These machines are generally either lasers, radio-frequency devices, or ultrasound devices.
The first vaginal tightening machine was a CO2 laser. It has since been improved from the original model. The laser energy is delivered through a “gun” kind of tool that is inserted into the vagina and then over 10-12 minutes, the laser energy/heat is fired out of this cylinder into the vaginal tissue. There is now also an Erbium laser device that works in the same way.
ThermiVa (as trialled by those Kardashians!) is a radio-frequency device that uses electrical energy for heating. This machine has a slim hand piece (magic wand!), that is used to heat the tissue over a period of 15 minutes or so. It has the advantage of being user driven, and so can be customized to any particular areas of concern AND is the only device that can be used externally.
So does ThermiVa really work?
Yes! Just like any skin treatment any of these kinds of treatments will not be permanent for a lot of the issues treated, as our skin does continue to age, and is affected by our health, hormones, traumas to the area (child birth!) and so on. So generally an annual session should be planned for.
What can be treated by ThermiVa?
1/ Vaginal Laxity – where child births have stretched the vagina , it can tighten the full length and the the vaginal opening.
2/ Vulval/Labial Laxity – where age and/or vaginal deliveries have produced noticeable sagging, this can be tightened.
3/ Vaginal Dryness – where low hormone levels have resulted in dry/irritant/painful vaginal tissue, it can add softer and thicker skin, resulting in natural vaginal discharge and relieve dryness all without hormones.
4/ Mild to Moderate Stress Incontinence – urgency, stress symptoms with leaking during exercise, when coughing or sneezing can all be improved or stopped completely without surgery. By tightening the vagina and its supporting tissue, this provides a firmer floor for the urethra to compress against under stress.
5/ Sexual Dysfunction – by increasing sensitivity by stimulating nerve endings and strengthening muscular contractions, so greater sexual satisfaction for women.
Remember though, this is a medical treatment. A medical consultation should be carried out to confirm suitability. You should have had an up to date pelvic exam and smear by your GP. I can’t believe that a client told me recently of a clinic in Queensland where a junior who really only knew how to push the buttons and was not happy about it, was doing laser vaginal treatments. We live in a world where new technology in the area of skin rejuvenation is far out stripping regulations. So, make sure you check the experience and qualifications of your practitioner.