What are Female Genital Procedures?
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), 10 years of experience
What is the meaning of Female Genital Procedures?
Female genital procedures are the various procedures performed by a gynecologist on the female reproductive system (genital areas). It is important that a woman visits a gynecologist at least once a year to get a complete reproductive health check-up done, regardless of whether she is having any disorders or symptoms associated with her reproductive system. With an advance in technology, most genital procedures are quick and minimally invasive. In this article, we will be discussing in detail about the various female genital procedures.
What are the different types of Female Genital Procedures?
Some of the most common types of female genital procedures include:
- Hysterectomy:
What is a Hysterectomy? Hysterectomy is a procedure done to remove the uterus (womb) of a woman.
Why is a Hysterectomy done?
Hysterectomy is performed in the following cases:
- Chronic or long-term pelvic (area below the stomach) pain
( Know more about- What is Pelvic pain? Home remedies for pelvic pain )
- Excessive vaginal bleeding
- Endometriosis (inner lining of the uterus grows outside the uterine cavity causing bleeding and pain)
( Know more about- What is Endometriosis and treatments? )
- Fibroids (non-cancerous tumors in the uterus)
( Know more about– What is Uterine Fibroids Treatment? Purpose, Procedure, Aftercare, Cost )
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (serious infection of the reproductive organs)
( Know more about- What is Pelvic Inflammatory disease and treatments? )
- Adenomyosis (inner lining of the uterus grows into the uterine muscles)
- Uterine prolapse (when the uterus drops and protrudes from the vagina)
( Know more about- What is Uterine Prolapse? )
How is Hysterectomy performed?
Hysterectomy can be performed in the following ways:
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- Abdominal hysterectomy: The uterus is removed through a large cut made in the abdomen (stomach).
- Vaginal hysterectomy: The uterus is removed through a small incision made inside the vagina.
- Laparoscopic hysterectomy: A long, thin lighted tube with a camera at one end, known as a laparoscope, is inserted through the incisions made in the abdomen, and the uterus is cut into small pieces and removed one piece at a time.
( Know more about- What is Hysterectomy? )
What are the risks of Hysterectomy?
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- The risks of a hysterectomy procedure are:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Injury to the surrounding organs and tissues like the bladder, blood vessels, and intestines
- Dilation and Curettage (D & C):
What is Dilation and Curettage?
It is a procedure of dilating or opening the cervix (the opening of the womb or uterus, where it meets the top part of the vagina) and using a curette (thin instrument) to scrape the wall of the uterus and remove the tissue.
( Know more about- What is Dilation and Curettage? )
Why are Dilation and Curettage done?
Dilation and Curettage are done in the following conditions:
- Miscarriage
- Bleeding between two menstrual cycles
( Know more about- What is Spotting? Causes of Spotting )
- Removal of leftover tissue in the uterus after an abortion
( Know more about- What is Abortion Surgery? )
How is Dilation and Curettage done?
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- The procedure is performed under general anesthesia (patient is put to sleep).
- A speculum (a smooth device that is shaped like a duck’s bill) is inserted into the vagina to open the cervix.
- A clamp is used to hold the cervix in place.
- A series of rods are used to open the dilated cervix slowly.
- A curette (scraping device) is used to remove the tissue from the uterus.
- The tissue sample is sent to the laboratory for further investigations.
( Know more about- What is Blocked Fallopian Tube? Types, Causes, Symptoms )
What are the risks of Dilation and Curettage?
The risks of dilation and curettage procedure are:
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- Bleeding
- Infection ( Know more about- What is Bacterial vaginosis? )
- Perforation (tear) in the uterus
- Formation of scar tissue in the uterus
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
- Severe cramps
- Unusual, foul-smelling discharge from the vagina
- Hysteroscopy:
- What is Hysteroscopy?
Hysteroscopy is a procedure done for the diagnosis and treatment of the various causes of abnormal bleeding.
Why is Hysteroscopy done?
Hysteroscopy can be done in the following conditions:
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- Diagnosis of the problems of the uterus
- Removal of polyps and fibroids (non-cancerous growths in the uterus)
- Removal of uterine adhesions or scar tissue (known as Asherman’s syndrome)
- Diagnose and treat the cause of abnormal bleeding
- ( Know more about- Normal Delivery but abnormal bleeding )
- Diagnose the presence of septums (a defect of the uterus that is present from birth)
How is Hysteroscopy done?
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- The cervix is first widened to allow the insertion of the hysteroscope (a long, thin lighted tube with a camera on one end).
- The hysteroscope is inserted through the vagina and cervix into the uterus.
- A liquid solution or carbon dioxide gas is inserted into the uterus through the hysteroscope. This expands the uterus and clears any mucus or blood that may be present.
- The hysteroscope allows the doctor to view the uterus and the openings of the fallopian tubes (a pair of tubes along which the eggs travel from the ovaries to the uterus) into the uterine cavity.
- In case of surgery, small instruments are inserted into the uterus through the hysteroscope.
( Know more about- What is Hysteroscopy? )
What are the risks of Hysteroscopy? The following risks are associated with hysteroscopy:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Scarring in the uterus
- Injury to the uterus, cervix, bladder, or bowel
( Know more about- What is Endoscopy? Types, Purpose, Procedure, Results)
- Pelvic Laparoscopy:
What is Pelvic Laparoscopy?
Pelvic laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure in which a thin, long, lighted instrument with a camera on one end, known as a laparoscope, is used to examine the female reproductive organs.
Why is Pelvic Laparoscopy done?
Pelvic laparoscopy is done in the following cases:
- To diagnose the cause of pelvic pain
- Examination of an abnormality like a tumor, or an ovarian cyst (a fluid-filled or solid sac within or on the ovary surface)
- Diagnosis of endometriosis (a condition in which the cells from the uterus lining grow outside the uterus)
- To diagnose a pelvic inflammatory disease (infection of the female reproductive system)
- Check for any obstructions in the fallopian tubes
( Know more about- What is Blocked Fallopian Tube? Types, Causes, Symptoms )
- To diagnose an ectopic pregnancy (when the fertilized egg attaches to the fallopian tube instead of the uterus), and remove it
- To diagnose the cause for infertility
( Know more about- What is infertility in women? )
- To obtain a tissue sample for biopsy (a sample of the tissue growth is excised and sent to the laboratory for further investigations)
- To repair a damaged uterus
- To remove a scar tissue
- To repair any damage to the fallopian tubes or ovaries
- To perform a hysterectomy
- To perform an appendectomy (surgical removal of the appendix)
( Know more about- What is (Appendectomy) Appendix Surgery?)
- To perform tubal ligation (sterilization of the fallopian tubes)
- For removal of lymph nodes that are affected by cancer cells
( Know more about- Ovarian Cyst Removal Surgery: Purpose, Procedure, Aftercare, Cost )
The problems caused due to PCOS include bladder and bowel problems, stomach ache and bloating, leg swelling, etc. In such cases, patients may be advised to get the treatment of PCOS by Ovarian Cyst Removal Surgery. There are many hospitals and doctors in India where Ovarian Cyst Removal Surgery is done.
Cost of Ovarian Cyst Removal Surgery in Mumbai
Cost of Ovarian Cyst Removal Surgery in Bangalore
Cost of Ovarian Cyst Removal Surgery in Delhi
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Best Gynecologist in Bangalore
How is Pelvic Laparoscopy done?
- The procedure is done under general anesthesia or local anesthesia (numbing of the surgical area).
- A small cut is made by the surgeon above the navel.
- A narrow, tube-like instrument called a cannula is placed into the abdominal cavity for the expansion of the cavity with carbon dioxide.
- A laparoscope is then inserted through the incision (cut) made above the navel.
- Up to four small cuts are made close to the public hairline to allow the passage of additional cannulas and surgical tools required to perform the procedure.
- All the instruments are removed and the incisions are closed using sutures (stitches) once the procedure is complete.
- Bandages are placed over the sutures for closing the incisions.
( Know more about- What is Cervical Cancer? Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Cost )
What are the risks of Pelvic Laparoscopy?
The risks of pelvic laparoscopy are:
- Bleeding from the vagina
- Fever
- Chills
- Heavy menstrual flow
(Know more about- Problems faced during Menstruation )
- Clots are seen in menstrual bleeding
- Stomach pain, increasing in intensity
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Swelling, redness, drainage, or bleeding at incision sites
- Shortness of breath
- Infection
(Know more about-What are the symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Diseases?Types, Prevention)
- Vaginoplasty
What is Vaginoplasty?
Vaginoplasty is a procedure done to repair or construct the vagina.
Why is Vaginoplasty done?
Vaginoplasty is done in the following cases:
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- To repair any damage to the vagina during childbirth or trauma
- To improve the sexual function
- In cases of transgender individuals who are undergoing gender affirmation surgery (transition of an individual to their self-identified gender)
- In women requiring vaginal reconstruction after undergoing radiation for treatment of cancer
- Women with congenital (present from birth) defects in the vaginal development
( Know more about- What is Loose vagina?)
How is Vaginoplasty done?
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- Any external skin or male external genitalia present is first removed, along with any excess tissue or abnormal structures.
- A functional vagina is created.
- In case of a gender affirmation surgery, the skin of the penis and the scrotum (sac of skin hanging from the body just below the penis) is used for creating the vaginal canal and labia (folds of skin around the opening of the vagina).
- Sutures (stitches) are used for securing the loose tissue.
What are the risks of Vaginoplasty?
The risks of vaginoplasty include:
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- Painful sexual intercourse (dyspareunia)
- Loss of sensation or numbness
- Injury to the nerve
- Poor vaginal appearance
- Formation of vesicovaginal fistula (an abnormal connection between the urinary tract and the vagina) or rectovaginal fistula (an abnormal connection between the rectum and the vagina)
- Vaginal stenosis (the vagina becomes shorter and narrower due to a fibrous tissue formation)
( Know more about- What is Vaginoplasty? Purpose, Procedure, Complications, Cost )
- Labiaplasty:
What is Labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty or vaginal rejuvenation is a type of plastic surgery that modifies the labia minora (inner lips of the vagina) and/or the labia majora (outer lips of the vagina)
( Know more about- What is Labiaplasty? )
Why is Labiaplasty done?
A labiaplasty is done in the following cases:
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- Painful sexual intercourse due to enlarged labia
- Hypertrophied (increase in size) labia causing irritation during sports that require tight-fitting clothes
- Chronic (long-term) urinary tract infection due to the pooling of secretions or sweat in the space created due to labial hypertrophy
- Altered vaginal hygiene or odor due to a large labia
How is Labiaplasty done?
- Labiaplasty for labia minora can be performed by two main methods: edge resection and wedge resection.
- Edge resection is the trimming of the excess protruding edges of the labia.
- Wedge resection involves cutting off the wedge-shaped slivers of skin from the center of the labia minora, leaving the labial edges intact. The remaining skin is then bought together using dissolvable sutures.
- Labia majora can be modified by either cutting out the tissue, using liposuction on labia majora that are fuller and longer than normal, or injecting filler material like fat in cases where labia majora is not as full as desired.
What are the risks of Labiaplasty?
The risks associated with labiaplasty are:
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- Dryness of the vagina ( Know more about- What is Vaginal Dryness ? )
- Numbness
- Scar tissue formation causes painful sexual intercourse
- Decrease in sensitivity of the vulva (the outer part of the female genitals)
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Hematoma (abnormal collection of blood outside the blood vessels)
(Know more about-What are the symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Diseases? Types, Prevention)
Hymenoplasty:
- What is Hymenoplasty? Hymenoplasty or hymenorrhaphy is a surgical procedure done to reconstruct the skin membrane, which is known as the hymen, which is located in the lower half of the vagina.
(Know more about- What is Hymenoplasty? )
Why is Hymenoplasty done?
Hymenoplasty is done in the following cases:
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- For religious or cultural purposes (hymen is considered as a sign of virginity in many cultures)
- To recover from a traumatic incident like rape which may have caused tearing of the hymen tissue
- Accidental rupture of hymen due to bicycle riding, swimming, strenuous sexual activities, or tampon insertion
- Enhancement of sexual pleasure
- Imperforate hymen (entire opening of the vagina is covered by the hymen)
- Septate hymen (hymen tissue is split into rope-like bands)
- Microperforate hymen (thick hymen leaving only a small opening in the vagina, just enough to allow menstrual flow
How is Hymenoplasty done?
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- This procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
- Any torn skin around the hymen edges is gently cut away, and the remaining tissue is stitched together, leaving a tiny opening.
- If the skin remaining is inadequate, or the hymen is not present, the surgeon may create a hymen using the vaginal mucosa (body’s thin vaginal skin) or synthetic tissue.
What are the risks of Hymenoplasty?
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- Pain or discomfort
- Itching
- Dizziness
- Bleeding
- Inflammation
( Know more about- What is Clitoral Hoodoplasty? )
We hope we have answered all your questions about female genital procedures through this article.
If you want more information and treatment about female genital procedures then contact a Gynecologist.
We aim to provide you with information through this article. We do not recommend any medicine or treatment to anyone. Only a doctor can give you good advice and the correct treatment plan.
