Overview

Vaginas come in all different shapes and sizes - all of them normal. Vaginal muscles are like a rubber band and can stretch out when needed before returning to their original shape.

However, vaginal muscles may become lax with age, childbirth or illness, which sometimes may lead to incontinence or a loss of sensation during sexual intercourse. This can have a negative impact on a woman’s self-esteem and mental well-being.

We believe that these are not problems that a woman should just learn to live with and a simple surgical procedure at the Cadogan Clinic can help to tighten vaginal muscles, reduce the size of a big vagina and improve your quality of life.

What is a Loose Vagina?

A loose vagina feels less tight than usual and is typically noticed during sexual activity. The tightness of your vagina can vary for several reasons and it’s natural due to ageing, childbirth, hormones, and medical conditions. 

A loose vagina is also a subjective term that can vary from person to person. The idea of a tight vagina comes from myths about sexual health. Vaginas come in various shapes and sizes, with each appearance being perfectly normal. 

If you’re concerned about having a wide-set vagina, we recommend that you consult with a qualified surgeon to determine your suitability for surgery and the right course of action for your specific body.

What Causes a Loose Vagina?

A loose vagina is caused by various factors, including genetics, childbirth, hormones, and more:

Pregnancy and childbirth

The number one cause of a wide vagina is a vaginal birth. This is when the baby travels through the cervix and out through the vagina, which must stretch to allow the baby through. Many women manage to tone their vaginal muscles by doing regular pelvic floor exercises, but this part of the body often doesn’t return to its pre-birth state by doing Kegel exercises alone. 

A loose vagina caused by childbirth can also lead to urinary incontinence. This may or may not be temporary. If you have more than one child, this means that your vaginal muscles may have lost even more elasticity than if you had given birth just once.

Low oestrogen levels

As women age, oestrogen levels decrease, which affects a woman’s vagina. Low oestrogen levels cause the vaginal tissue to become drier and thinner, eventually causing it to lose its elasticity, making it feel looser. This is very common, with around 50 per cent of women reporting noticeable laxity of the vagina after menopause, due to falling oestrogen levels. 

Although menopause is a common cause of low oestrogen levels, other health issues or certain medications may also be to blame. Medications that contain anti-oestrogen properties include Tamoxifen, which is used to treat and prevent breast cancer; Medroxyprogesterone, which is used to treat abnormal uterine bleeding and unusual stopping of menstrual periods, and Nafarelin which treats the symptoms of endometriosis. 

Women also experience a drop in oestrogen levels after giving birth. This is because the placenta produces oestrogen during pregnancy and this is lost once the baby is born. This is compounded by the presence of milk-producing hormone prolactin, which temporarily blocks oestrogen production while the new mother is breastfeeding her baby. And if you needed another reason to quit smoking, nicotine reduces oestrogen levels and has been shown to cause the early onset of menopause.

Illness

It is important to note that, despite the common myth, sex does not cause a woman to have a big vagina. This is regardless of the number of sexual partners or the frequency of intercourse. The use of sex toys also does not have a long-term impact on vaginal laxity.

Stress on the pelvic floor

Weight lifting, chronic coughing or significant weight gain puts additional stress on the pelvic floor which can potentially result in a saggy vagina over time.

Why Can Having a Loose Vagina Be a Problem?

Having a loose vagina can present problems in terms of pelvic health and sexual function. Pelvic prolapse is a condition linked to weakened pelvic floor muscles caused by a loose vagina. With this condition, pelvic organs such as the bladder, bowel or uterus shift from their normal position and bulge into the vagina. Advanced cases of prolapse can affect quality of life and require surgical intervention to restore normal function.

A loose vagina can also impact sexual activity. Women may notice a decrease in sensation and sexual satisfaction during intercourse. This change is often a result of the vaginal muscles loosening. Effective treatment of a loose vagina can restore sensation and improve your sexual satisfaction and quality of life. 

What Are the Symptoms of a Loose Vagina?

Your vagina is tucked away inside your body, so you can’t see whether you have a loose vagina. However, you may notice certain signs which may have a negative impact on your quality of life. The main symptoms of a loose vagina are:

Reduced Sexual Pleasure 

A common complaint following childbirth is reduced sensation in the vagina during sex. This can lead to reduced sexual pleasure and feelings of frustration and anxiety. This problem can be made worse if a woman has sustained injuries in the area during childbirth, particularly if they have not healed well. This may also lead to painful sexual intercourse. 

Urinary Incontinence

When pelvic floor muscles are stretched during childbirth or due to ageing, this can cause urinary incontinence, as well as making some women feel a constant urge to go to the toilet. This can vary in severity and can prove debilitating. Although mild cases of incontinence may resolve with pelvic floor exercises, severe cases are likely to need surgical intervention.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

One real risk of loose vagina muscles is the possibility of pelvic organ prolapse occurring. Pelvic organ prolapse happens when one or more of the organs in the pelvis, namely the uterus, bowel, bladder or the top of the vagina, slip downwards and out of their normal position leaving them bulging into the vagina. Pelvic organ prolapse is scaled from 1 to 4, depending on its severity. 

A grade 4 prolapse is considered to be the most severe. The more severe the prolapse, the more likely surgery will be required. Pelvic organ prolapse can cause discomfort, and pain and seriously impact a woman’s quality of life. However, it is not life-threatening.

Visible Bulging

In cases of significant laxity, there might be visible bulging at the vaginal entrance, especially if it’s linked with pelvic organ prolapse.

Difficulty Using Tampons

Some women report difficulty in keeping tampons in place as a result of a loose vulva. This may impact comfort and confidence during their period which can lead to anxiety.

How to Tighten the Vagina Naturally

Exercise and lifestyle changes can have a positive impact on tightening your vagina naturally. 

Exercises

• Kegels: This is one of the most well-known methods for strengthening the vaginal wall. Contract the pelvic floor muscles like you’re trying to restrict the flow of urine, hold for 3-5 seconds and release. Repeat this several times a day to strengthen and tighten your vaginal muscles.
• Squats: With proper form, squats can help tighten the vagina naturally by engaging the pelvic floor and improving muscle tone in the lower body.
• Pelvic tilts: Stand with your shoulders and bottom against a wall, making sure that you keep your knees soft. Pull your belly button inwards so that your back is flat against the wall. Tighten the stomach for four seconds before releasing the hold.

Lifestyle Changes

• Healthy Diet: Eating a diet rich in phytoestrogens (found in soy products, flaxseeds and whole grains), along with vitamins and minerals supports vaginal elasticity by helping you maintain healthy oestrogen levels.
• Hydration: Drinking enough water daily helps maintain the health of all bodily tissues including the vaginal walls.
• Avoid Physical Strain: Prevent excessive strain on the pelvic floor muscles by maintaining healthy body weight and avoiding heavy lifting.
• Posture and Breathing: Proper posture and deep breathing exercises can also engage and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
• Regular Check-Ups: Regular gynaecological check-ups can help you monitor vaginal health and catch any issues early for the timely treatment of a wide set vagina.

How to Fix a Loose Vagina with Surgery

We recommend considering a Vaginal Tightening Surgery, also called a Vaginoplasty, when pelvic floor exercises or lifestyle changes fail to address symptoms of a loose vagina.

This surgery tightens the vaginal canal and repairs any stretched or separated muscles to improve your comfort levels and sexual satisfaction. Full recovery takes four to six weeks but patients can typically resume their daily routine within a few days of the surgery. It’s perfectly normal to experience swelling and soreness for 1-2 weeks after the procedure.

The following cosmetic operations may be recommended to you by our qualified surgeons depending on your specific symptoms and concerns:

Perineum and Pelvic Floor Repair:

• Restores the cosmetic appearance of the perineum.
• Improves muscle tone in the pelvic floor and vaginal muscles.
• Suitable for childbirth-related damages including episiotomy.
• A rest period of six to eight weeks is required post-surgery during which it’s recommended to avoid physical strain or intercourse

Vaginal Rejuvenation:

• Combination of surgeries for a woman’s genitals.
• Can include Vaginoplasty, Perineum Repair and Labiaplasty.
• Customised to individual patient needs for improved function and aesthetics.

Mummy Makeover:

• Aims to restore a woman’s body to its pre-pregnancy state.
• Often involves Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Tummy Tuck and Liposuction.
• Also includes treatment of the vagina and labia for a comprehensive restoration.

Designer Vagina:

• This isn’t a specific procedure, but refers to various surgeries which can be combined to improve the appearance of loose vulva and vagina.

We use the latest anaesthetic technologies to minimise your downtime and our nursing team provides a dedicated 24/7 on-call service during the recovery period.

Book an appointment with one of the Cadogan Clinic’s consultants to discuss how we can help you reach your body goals.

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