Cosmetic Gynecology also called as Female Cosmetic Genital Surgery or Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery and at times, wrongly addressed as Aesthetic Gynecology by the misinformed ones, is today the world’s fastest growing subspecialty for women. Cosmetic Gynecology comprises of procedures to enhance the functionality as well as improve the aesthetic appearance of the vulva, and vaginal repairs to restore & rather enhance the sexual function which get adversely affected due to childbirth or/and aging. Cosmetic Gynaecology is practiced primarily by Gynecologists, but plastic surgeons, dermatologists and aesthetic physicians also partially practice some part of it, though they must essentially get trained by a university accredited faculty of Cosmetic Gynaecology before they practice Cosmetic Gynecology procedures.
Cosmetic gynecology procedures are most trending today, mostly driven by women themselves, and not by their sexual partners. Research has proven that the appearance of a woman’s genitalia has a great influence on her self-confidence and sexuality.
The five main surgical procedures of Cosmetic Gynecology are:
Vaginoplasty/Perineoplasty/ Introitoplasty/Vaginal Rejuvenation/Vaginal Tightening: tightening of vagina or vaginal rejuvenation, for sexual satisfaction.
Hymenoplasty: creating an intact hymen torn by intercourse or cycling/ horse riding etc. In most countries intact hymen is a sign of virginity.
Labiaplasty: Labia Minoraplasty / Labia Majoraplasty to improve the appearance of inner or outer labia, and reduce the vaginal lip sizes.
Hoodectomy or Clitoral Hood Reduction or Clitoral Unhooding: remove the excess tissue that abnormally covers the clitoris to help woman achieve easier & better orgasms
Monsplasty: lifting, tightening and shaping-up the pubis, the “bikini bridge,” which may be prominent when wearing outfits.
Energy based devices which includes Lasers, Radiofrequency & HIFEM have also been in use now for various procedures including Vaginal Rejuvenation. Lasers had been in use in dermatology and aesthetic medicine for almost two decades and its introduction into Cosmetic Gynecology was therefore a natural progression of technology. In India, the first physician to use energy based devices in cosmetic gynecology was Dr Navneet Magon who introduced safe & ethical use of the cutting edge technology into Cosmetic Gynaecology in India. We shall be writing more on evolution of energy based devices in Cosmetic Gynaecology in subsequent blogs.