W

ith this year’s zeitgeist putting wellness under the spotlight, vaginal rejuvenation might seem to be just another passing trend, but experts think otherwise.

When hearing the words “plastic surgery”, one would normally think of facelifts, tummy tucks, botox injections, or breast and buttock augmentation. Now, a recent trend making its way around the world puts one of the more intimate part of the human body in focus: the vagina.

Surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures for the vagina, known as vaginal rejuvenation, have been an increasingly popular procedure chosen by women around the world in recent years.

In 2017, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery recorded 10,787 labiaplasty procedures in the United States, an increase of 217.3 percent over a period of five years.

A cursory search on Google will result in various clinics advertising their vaginal rejuvenation services in Indonesia, so it is safe to say that the procedure has made its way here.

In a recent media session, obstetrician-gynecologist Ni Komang Yeni Dhanasari of Bamed Women’s Clinic said the increase in the number of women who choose to undergo the procedures could be attributed to the taboo around sexuality slowly being lifted.

According to Yeni, the clinic’s patients vary in age, with most of them being between 35 and 40.

One of those patients is a 24-year old woman, who wanted to be identified only as R, and she told The Jakarta Post that she was interested in vaginal rejuvenation for reasons related to her sexual activities.

“I’m sexually active, and I heard that vaginal rejuvenation can increase sexual satisfaction, so I’m interested in seeing whether it can actually deliver what it promises,” R said.

The procedures themselves can be divided into three categories: non-invasive treatment, semi-invasive treatment and invasive treatment.

Generally, non-invasive treatments do not entail any procedures that involve surgery or injections, instead using methods such as lasers and radio frequency.

“The benefits of this type of treatment is that it’s less complex,” Yeni said.

Based on the complexities, vaginal rejuvenation treatments could cost between Rp 7 million (US$478) and Rp 50 million.

One example of non-invasive treatments is the FemiLift, which uses lasers to heat the area around the vagina in order to induce the production of new collagen, which in turn can tighten the vagina as well as return the elasticity of its walls.

However, the effects of the FemiLift is only temporary, as a recommended three sessions over the course of 12 weeks will have an effect that lasts from 18 to 24 months.

Moreover, the US’ Food and Drug Administration in July warned about the supposed effectiveness and safety of vaginal rejuvenation devices, saying in a press release that “the full extent of the risks are unknown” after reviewing reports of scarring, burning and chronic pain.

Regarding the risks of the procedure, Yeni said both surgical and non-surgical treatments carry their own risks.

For those who are iffy or on the fence regarding the newfangled devices, other alternatives are also available, although it involves more than heating up one’s vagina.

Semi-invasive treatments generally involve injections, such as the labia mayora augmentation procedure that involves the injection of either plasma or fillers into the outer labia to increase volume.

While augmentation procedures are mostly cosmetic in nature, procedures like the G-spot injection is touted to increase pleasure during intercourse, through injecting a serum derived from the patient’s blood to a certain spot.

Meanwhile, invasive treatments are mostly surgical in nature, which translates to higher complexity and incurs a higher cost when taking into account preparations such as anesthesia.

Invasive treatments include labiaplasty, clitoral hood reduction, vaginoplasty and hymenoplasty, the latter of which involves suturing the membrane into a condition that would be considered as “virginal” in many cultures.

Fellow obstetrician-gynecologist Dasep Suwanda said invasive treatments normally took two hours to complete and patients would need up to eight weeks to recover. Patients must also take care to wear loose clothing and avoid sexual activity in the downtime, as well as avoiding athletic activities.

If one decides to undergo vaginal rejuvenation procedures, patients must generally be in good health, with non-smokers preferred. On the other hand, there are several contra indications that should be heeded as well, including active infections, immune system deficiency and menstrual period.

Regardless of the patient’s reasoning for undergoing vaginal rejuvenation, Yeni says the procedure can restore self-confidence in women, so she considers it more important than a passing trend.

“In the end, there is no ideal labia or vulva. What’s ideal should come from your own self or what works for you. There is the so-called Barbie-look vagina that is widely popular, but not everyone wants to have that.”