Vaginal Laxity
What Changes After Childbirth

Vaginal laxity is a sense that the vagina is looser or wider than before. It most often follows vaginal delivery, when the vaginal wall, the opening and the pelvic floor muscles are stretched, and it can increase with further births, ageing and the hormonal changes of menopause. Some women notice reduced sensation during intercourse, a sense of air or water entering, or that tampons feel less secure.

Laxity is not the same as prolapse, where a pelvic organ presses into the vagina, or stress incontinence, where urine leaks with coughing or exercise, although they can occur together.

• Stretching at delivery of the vaginal wall and the muscles around the opening.
• Tears or episiotomy that healed with some widening at the entrance.
• Lower oestrogen around menopause or while breastfeeding, which thins and dries the tissue.
• Weaker pelvic floor muscles, from childbirth, ageing, chronic cough or heavy lifting.

See a gynaecologist or your GP before any aesthetic treatment if you have a bulge or dragging feeling, leak urine on most days, pain during intercourse, bleeding between periods or after menopause, or an overdue cervical screen. Dr. Sin Yong is an aesthetic physician with the Professional Diploma in Obstetrics & Gynaecology (RCPI); anything that needs a gynaecologist is referred.

Pelvic floor exercises, ideally guided by a women's health physiotherapist, strengthen the muscles and are worthwhile for almost everyone. Non-surgical radiofrequency such as G Lift warms the vaginal wall to tighten collagen and may help mild laxity and dryness. Surgery (vaginoplasty or perineal repair) is for marked laxity or a widened entrance after tears, and is arranged by referral.