Pelvic Floor Repair
Pregnancy and childbirth always takes their toll on your body in a variety of ways. After carrying and delivering a child, your body will never be the same again.
However, for some women, a particularly traumatic or difficult birth, perhaps involving an episiotomy, can leave long-lasting damage to the perineum, which is the area between the vagina and the anus. With a bad tear or poor stitching, the area can be quite disfigured when healed, causing deep-rooted embarrassment especially with a partner. The shape of the perineal area may also cause discomfort during intercourse.
The weakness caused to the pelvic floor can also lead to weakness in the muscles managing urinary function, causing incontinence.
Surgery to improve the way this area looks, feels and functions can be highly rewarding - feeling "back to normal" is liberating for these patients.
Perineum and Pelvic Floor Repair
If your perineum (the area between the vagina and anus) has been damaged during childbirth or episiotomy, you can feel quite "ugly". Women become shy with partners and reluctant to have intercourse. It may be that sex is unsatisfying due to lack of sensation. It can even be uncomfortable or painful if the shape of the area is very abnormal.
Women may also find that the pelvic floor area is weakened. If unsupported, the bladder, bowel and womb (uterus) can't work properly and may begin to push through the vaginal wall, causing problems with the body’s ability to pass urine and stools.
The good news is that surgery can make a massive difference to the way you look and feel, restoring both the cosmetic appearance of the perineum as well as the muscle tone deep in the pelvic floor and vaginal muscles.
What to Expect from Pelvic Floor Repair Surgery
- The operation involves tightening the vaginal muscles and ligaments in the back wall.
- Surgery is done with general anaesthetic
- Patients will stay in hospital for 1 night, in some cases it may be longer
- You will feel swollen and sore after the procedure. You will have painkillers in hospital and at home can use normal painkillers. Ice packs may also be of assistance, providing they are wrapped in cloth to avoid over-exposure to the cold
- You will need to take a week off work and take things easy for 4 weeks (no heavy lifting or vigorous exercise)
- Sexual intercourse can resume after 4-8 weeks depending on your recovery - your Surgeon will advise on this at your review appointment
Benefits of Pelvic Floor Repair Surgery
This is highly individual and your surgeon will tell you what to expect. Benefits of this procedure can include:
- Improved appearance of the perineum - removal of lumpy scarring or excess skin
- Improved sensation during intercourse
- Restoration of bladder control
- More confidence personally
FREE Consultation
As your requirements are highly individual, we recommend a private consultation with a Cosmetic Gynaecology Surgeon. He/she will take a medical history and listen carefully to your concerns and wishes before recommending the most appropriate surgery.
You'll have an opportunity to understand every aspect of the procedure and its benefits and risks, as well as aftercare and recovery guidelines.
If you choose to go ahead, we can assure you of sympathetic and discreet service in our comfortable private hospital.