The vagina is one of the most misunderstood parts of a woman’s body. Since the dawn of time, misconceptions and myths have run rampant. There’s no greater source of confusion about the vagina than issues concerning tightness.
The concept of having a loose vagina is one that’s been around for centuries. But the truth is that vaginal elasticity is complex. It’s surprisingly resilient. However, it can change throughout your life due to hormonal fluctuations, major life events, and more.
Here’s the truth about some common myths about a loose vagina.
Vagina Looseness and Sex
Everyone’s heard this myth and all of its associated jokes before. Contrary to popular belief, the vagina doesn’t become loose after having “too much” penetrative sex. No matter how much a woman has sex, the vagina can bounce back. It’s an incredibly elastic organ that adjusts for sexual activity.
Sure, the tissue becomes more relaxed before, during, and after sex. However, this “looseness” is no different than your mouth opening wide to eat or yawn! No matter how many times you stretch your mouth, it always rebounds back to its original shape. The same applies to the vagina.
Another misconception is that the hymen causes the feeling of a tight vagina. Despite the myth of virgins and broken hymens, this thin tissue doesn’t totally cover the vaginal opening. It merely surrounds the opening. After penetrative sex, the hymen can stretch and make the vagina feel more open. However, it doesn’t always tear or impact sensation.
Women with vaginal looseness are likely experiencing other issues. It’s not a product of too much penetrative sex.
The good news is that there are several ways to address tightness concerns. Vaginal tightening encompasses surgical procedures, laser treatments, and more. Tightening can improve elasticity to increase sensation for both partners.
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Childbirth Causing Loose Vagina
The female body goes through some extreme changes during pregnancy and after delivery. While many believe that childbirth can loosen a tight vagina, the reality is a little more complicated than that.
The vagina is a powerhouse of elasticity that can stretch to accommodate a baby during birth. The tissue does loosen as the muscles relax to make way for the baby. However, the tissue usually shrinks back down to its pre-pregnancy state with time.
So, why do many women report changes to vaginal elasticity and sensation after birth?
In many cases, it’s because of damage to skin, tissue, and muscles.
The pelvic floor muscles are particularly prone to damage after giving birth multiple times or a difficult vaginal delivery. In addition to changes in sensation, pelvic floor issues can lead to a host of health problems in the future. The same goes for damage to connective tissue. Vaginal changes are common after giving birth.
Fortunately, vaginal tightening is available to address them. A Vaginoplasty can repair the pelvic floor and walls for a tightening effect. Meanwhile, a Perineoplasty can repair the muscular and connective tissue that supports the opening of the vagina.
RELATED: Pelvic Floor Disorder Symptoms in Women
Aging and Hormonal Changes
The most common cause for a loose vagina is aging. As a woman nears the end of her reproductive life, hormone production starts to wane. During perimenopause, the transitional phase before menopause, estrogen levels drop significantly. The decline directly impacts an otherwise tight vagina.
The vaginal lining can become dry, resulting in less tightness. During intercourse, the vagina will produce less natural lubrication as well. Overall, the tissue becomes less elastic as it loses resiliency.
Many of those changes are manageable with treatment, but some changes are expected as women approach menopause.
RELATED: Are You Experiencing Perimenopause Symptoms?
Loose vagina myths have created a lot of confusion in the women’s health sphere. While most of the misconceptions about the vagina have no basis in fact, there are instances in which women can benefit from tightening procedures.
Dr. Michael Tahery is a urogynecologist that provides vaginal tightening services to women in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. If you’re looking to increase sensation or address elasticity issues, give us a call. Dr. Tahery can perform a consultation and see if you’re a good candidate for one of the many available procedures