Sexual Wellness
Sexual wellness is an important aspect of well-being that can often go overlooked with age. For women specifically, menopause marks a time of drastic physical and hormonal changes, disrupting libido and leading to loss of vaginal tissue elasticity. Those who have experienced pregnancy can have difficulty regaining their sense of body confidence and comfortability in intimate moments.
Despite these changes, newer technologies like high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for vaginal rejuvenation can provide women relief from chronic vaginal dryness, vaginal laxity, and- in some cases- urinary incontinence. Licensed clinicians apply HIFU intravaginally as a means to stimulate tissue remodeling through collagen revitalization, repairing the vaginal lining and improving aesthetics. These treatments are completely non-invasive and do not require any downtime away from daily routines. In just a short amount of time, women can return to sexual activity with no risk of complications.
If you are interested in the transformative effects of HIFU, book your appointment at New You Cosmetic Centres with offices throughout the Ontario area. Call the location closest to you, or inquire about our procedures with our contact form, and we will help you schedule a consultation for your most intimate issues. Our clinicians will approach your unique situation with professionalism and sensitivity.
Contents
About Vaginal Laxity
Vaginal laxity can be an embarrassing part of aging for women, but it is so often underreported. According to research from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, only about 14% of women who reported symptoms related to vaginal laxity sought out medical care for their issue. (1) It can occur as a result of childbirth in which the vaginal introitus (the opening of the vagina) stretches and causes a decrease in sexual sensation. In other instances, laxity occurs due to the reduction of estrogen and progesterone hormones- most apparent during perimenopause and menopause. As these hormones decrease, the vaginal tissues can become much drier and thinner making sex uncomfortable or even painful. The vulva can also experience atrophy and become a source of irritation during everyday activities.
Alongside this skin aging, the vagina exhibits a shift in pH, losing its vital acidity that supports a healthy microbiome. With this shift, post-menopausal women become more susceptible to infections. Finally, after the stress of pregnancy and/or menopause, women’s pelvic floor muscles may weaken, exacerbating the feelings of laxity and even contributing to bladder leakage. All in all, many women see these changes as a natural part of life but may not be aware of the non-surgical options available to treat these issues.
The HIFU Advantage
HIFU utilizes ultrasound, a vibrational energy that becomes controlled thermal energy when it comes in contact with tissues. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can rejuvenate healthier, stronger collagen and elastin fibres within the vagina to renew more youthful and elastic functioning. It provokes this process by creating micro-injuries within the tissue, signalling cellular regeneration to optimally restore the vaginal lining. Ultrasound, in general, is a versatile, safe energy used in a variety of settings. It is capable of contracting existing collagen, promoting a tightening effect. The gentle heat can also provoke a process called angiogenesis, the production of new blood vessels. (2) With an influx of new blood vessels, the vagina can repair the fibromuscular wall, helping to strengthen weakened muscles and improve sexual sensation.
Specifically, HIFU treatments target the lamina propria of the vagina, the tissue layer containing blood and lymph vessels and nerve endings. This layer of the vagina serves to produce a clear fluid called transudate, a clear substance made of mostly water and proteins. Transudate and cervical mucus mix to form lubrication for the vagina, so specifically targeting this layer can radically improve moisturization for women seeking a solution to their sexual discomfort.
Candidates for Vaginal Rejuvenation
Other clinics use lasers for their treatments. We use the latest HIFU technology. There is no burning, no surface damage, and no downtime. We recommend this treatment to any woman interested in the transformative, gradual effects of HIFU, but most often, the ideal woman is in their 40s, 50s, or older. Those who have experienced natural childbirth may benefit greatly from this treatment. Those unable to treat their urinary incontinence with other methods may find that HIFU is capable of targeting the source of the muscular weakness contributing to their symptoms.
Personal Consultation
During a consultation with a New You professional, you will have the chance to voice your intimate concerns and your expectations for vaginal rejuvenation with HIFU. They will listen to your issues regarding sexual wellness and any vaginal discomfort that you may be experiencing in your day-to-day life. They will outline how the procedure will go, aftercare instructions for you to follow, and when you should expect the final results to settle in.
To take the first step toward restoring your intimate health, call the New You location closest to you, or simply fill out our online form. We look forward to helping you achieve a more fulfilling intimate life with the power of HIFU.
Preparation
Because of the non-invasive nature of these treatments, women do not need to prepare in any way. Still, our providers highly recommend that patients refrain from scheduling an HIFU session during menstruation days; it can affect the quality of the treatment. In addition, New You also advises women to abstain from intercourse and other sexual activities for at least 1 day before their appointment.
Treatment Steps
For the treatment itself, your provider will ensure that you are lying down comfortably and are in a relaxed state of mind. Next, they will apply a lubricating gel to the wand of the HIFU, ensuring that it moves throughout the vaginal canal smoothly. After applying the wand, they will move it in a 360-degree fashion, allowing the ultrasound energy to penetrate the epithelium (the outermost layer of tissue surrounding organs) and into the lamina propria and fibromuscular wall. You may feel some slight tingling sensations, but it will not be painful. With this deep treatment, the resulting controlled micro-injuries will improve the texture, tightness, and moisturization of the vagina for several months. Within just 20 minutes, the session is complete. While the collagen coagulation effects are immediate (collagen fibre contraction), the collagen and elastin renewal process will take some time.
Recovery and Results
You may feel slight tenderness after your treatment, but this side effect will subside within just a few hours of your appointment. After your treatment session, you should abstain from sexual activity to not interfere with the collagen regeneration process. The micro-injuries provoked by HIFU specifically cause an increase in fibroblast cells (the cells that generate collagen fibres) but it will take at least 3 weeks for noticeable improvements to fully settle in. The vaginal tightening results will last at least 1 year post-treatment. You should have a noticeable reduction in vaginal dryness and laxity and urinary incontinence symptoms while experiencing gradual improvements in the texture, and appearance of the vagina and vulva. As a result, you should expect to have more sexual satisfaction and sensitivity after this minor procedure.
Corresponding & Complementary Procedures
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be a life-changing decision for women going through the various changes of perimenopause and menopause. In addition to vaginal atrophy, some women may suffer from night sweats, insomnia, loss of sex drive, hair loss, weight gain, bone density loss, and more. HRT can mitigate these issues by utilizing estrogen and progestin hormones in the form of a gel, cream, injection, pill, or pellet. By balancing hormones, the body can restore optimal functioning and help women handle the challenges that come with aging.
Cost of Vaginal Rejuvenation in Ontario
The cost of your vaginal rejuvenation with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) will mostly depend on your individual treatment plan which includes the number of sessions you wish to undergo. During your first meeting with your New You provider, they will outline the total cost estimate and provide you with more details regarding the rejuvenation process. Your journey toward improved sexual wellness can begin today with a call to one of our 7 offices, or you can request your consultation via our contact form. We will gladly treat your concerns with empathy and care.
FAQ
High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), a type of low-frequency sound energy, can cause micro-injuries within the vagina and vulva, triggering rejuvenation and repair over the next few weeks. No anesthesia or incisions are required.
The number of sessions you will want for vaginal rejuvenation with HIFU will depend on the results you are looking to attain. Many women achieve incredible results after just one session. If you decide to undergo more than one session, you should wait at least 4 weeks after the first session to allow the full effects to settle in.
References
- Desai SA, Kroumpouzos G, Sadick N. Vaginal rejuvenation: From scalpel to wands. International Journal of Women’s Dermatology. 2019;5(2):79-84. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijwd.2019.02.003
- Gorick CM, Chappell JC, Price RJ. Applications of Ultrasound to Stimulate Therapeutic Revascularization. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2019;20(12):3081. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20123081
