What is Loose Vagina?
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), 10 years of experience
What is the meaning of a Loose Vagina?
When the vagina of a woman becomes less elastic and loose, the condition is known as a loose vagina or vaginal laxity. The vagina is a canal extending from the vulva (outside part of the female genital area) to the cervix (the neck of the uterus or the womb).
Vaginal laxity occurs due to the loss of muscle tone in the vagina. This usually occurs due to menopause, childbirth, or an increase in age. A loose vagina could result in a decrease in sexual pleasure, urine leaks, and in severe cases, a life-threatening condition known as prolapse that leads to the internal organs moving out of their place.
In today’s article, we will be discussing in detail about the loose vagina.
- What are the causes of a Loose Vagina?
- What are the symptoms of a Loose Vagina?
- How to diagnose a Loose Vagina?
- What is the treatment for a Loose Vagina?
What are the causes of a Loose Vagina?
The following are the causes of a loose vagina:
Sex:
- It is believed that any changes that may be seen in the tightness of the vaginal muscles before, during, or after sex are usually temporary.
- This is regardless of how many times a woman has sex, uses sex toys, or how often she has sexual intercourse.
- Therefore, it is believed that a loose vagina due to sex is usually only temporary.
Childbirth:
- The pressure due to pregnancy and childbirth on the vagina and the pelvic floor can lead to stretching of the muscles.
- Childbirth is the most common reason why a woman feels that she has a loose vagina.
- Most women regain the muscle tone of the vagina after childbirth, but some don’t.
- Permanent muscle weakness and a loose vagina can be a result of a large baby, multiple births, traumatic delivery, or in the case of an older mother.
( Know more about- What is C-section delivery? Causes, Procedure, Aftercare, Cost )
Increase in age:
- The vagina may naturally become loose with age.
- The elasticity of the skin and the muscle tone naturally decrease with age.
- This may lead to a loose vagina.
Injury and illness:
- A loose vagina may occur as a result of a traumatic injury.
- Certain health disorders like gynecological cancer (cancer starting in a woman’s reproductive organs), and prolonged use of certain medications may lead to a loose vagina.
Low levels of estrogen:
- In conditions like menopause (stopping of the menstrual cycle), aging, certain health disorders, or prolonged use of certain medications the estrogen (a female sex hormone) levels are known to decrease.
- This causes the vaginal tissues to become dryer, thinner, and less stretchy.
( Know more about- What is Menopause? Age, Symptoms, Effects )
What are the symptoms of a Loose Vagina?
The following symptoms are seen in the case of a loose vagina:
- Wider vagina
- Dryness in the vagina
( Know more about- What is Vaginal Dryness? Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention )
- Thinner vaginal tissue
- Less stretchy vaginal tissue
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Accidental urine leakage (urinary incontinence) or passage of wind
- Constant urge to urinate
- Pain in the pelvic region (the region below the stomach or the abdomen)
How to diagnose a Loose Vagina?
Physical examination:
- The doctor will first physically examine the patient.
- The doctor will ask the patient about her medical and sexual history, any history of recent childbirth, whether she has had any recent injury or any medications that she may be taking.
Pelvic exam:
- The doctor will insert one or two of his gloved fingers in the woman’s vagina to check for the elasticity of the vaginal muscles, the uterus, ovaries, and other reproductive organs of the woman.
Ultrasound:
- Sound waves are used in ultrasound to obtain clear images of the internal organs of a body.
- A pelvic ultrasound helps in creating images of the reproductive organs of the body.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan:
- A strong magnet, radio waves, and a computer are used to create images of the reproductive organs of a woman.
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What is the treatment for a Loose Vagina?
A loose vagina can be tightened using the following methods:
Kegel exercises:
- The pelvic floor muscles need to be identified by stopping midway while urinating.
- After identifying the pelvic floor muscles, pick a position for performing the kegel exercises. Most people prefer to do these exercises while lying on their back.
- Tighten the pelvic floor muscles. Hold this contraction for 5 seconds, then relax for 5 seconds. The time can be increased to 10 seconds after building up strength.
- The above steps are repeated at least five times in a row.
- To get the best results, kegel exercises can be done in a set of three, about 5 to 10 times a day.
( Know more about- What are Kegel Exercises? Method, Benefits and Precautions )
Pelvic tilt exercises:
- One should stand straight with the shoulders and butt against the wall.
- Keep both the knees soft.
- The belly button should then be pulled in towards the spine (backbone). This should be done while flattening the back against the wall.
- The belly button should be tightened for 4 seconds and then released.
- This should be done ten times, for up to five times a day.
Vaginal cones:
- The pelvic floor muscles can be strengthened using a vaginal cone, which is a tampon-sized object that one can put in the vagina.
- The lightest cone is first inserted into the vagina.
- The pelvic floor muscles are then squeezed. Hold it in place for approximately 15 minutes, two times a day.
- The weight of the vaginal cone can be increased gradually once a woman becomes more successful in holding the cone in place in the vagina.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES):
- The neuromuscular electrical stimulation helps in strengthening the vaginal muscles by using a probe to send an electric current through the pelvic floor.
- This electrical stimulation leads to the contraction and relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles
- The session lasts for about 20 minutes, and this procedure should be done once in four days, for a couple of weeks.
- This can be done at home, or the doctor can perform this treatment for you.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser treatment:
- The CO2 laser technology can be used for stimulating new collagen (the most abundant protein in the human body) formation and improving the functionality of the vaginal area.
- The procedure involves the insertion of a probe into the vagina to heat the vaginal tissue gently and to contract the existing fibers.
- Each session takes about half an hour to complete. To obtain the best results, three to four sessions are recommended.
- The procedure has minimal or no complications.
Radio-frequency therapy:
- This is a non-hormonal and non-invasive treatment that helps in the treatment of loose vagina, incontinence, dryness of the vagina, and to improve bladder control.
- A small disposable wand is used for the delivery of pain-free radiofrequency energy to heat the tissue gently with little or no discomfort.
- This procedure lasts for about half an hour and is done once a month for three months.
Vagina tightening surgery:
- This is an effective procedure to regain strength and control and to tone the muscles of the vagina.
- This surgery can be performed under local anesthesia (the surgical area is numbed) or general anesthesia (the patient is put to sleep during the procedure).
- Any muscles that have been stretched are shortened using this procedure by the removal of any excess loose skin inside the vagina and then joining them together using sutures (stitches).
- The scar formation is internal and does not affect the appearance of the vaginal area.
( Know more about- What is Vaginoplasty? Purpose, Procedure, Aftercare, Cost )
We hope we have answered all your questions about Loose Vagina through this article.
If you want more information about Loose Vagina and its treatment, 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.
