Rectocele Repair and Vaginal Rejuvenation

There are two components of vaginal rejuvenation, vaginoplasty and perineoplasty. Vaginoplasty is a surgery done to restore the inner caliber of the vagina and perineoplasty is the procedure used to tighten the opening of the vagina. Patients who are considering vaginal rejuvenation, often present with complaints of vaginal looseness and decreased sensation with intercourse as well as changes in the visual appearance of the vagina. There are many factors that can contribute to these symptoms, including child birth, heredity and decreased hormones. In these patients, it is not uncommon to also find that the structural integrity of the vagina has weakened as well and resulted in vaginal relaxation. Incidental findings of pelvic organ prolapse are common in women with these complaints, specifically a rectocele, or prolapse of the rectum into the vagina. A rectocele occurs when the musculature in the lower floor of the vagina weakens allowing the rectum to prolapse or protrude into the vagina. Women may or may not present with symptoms of rectocele at the time.

During your consultation with the surgeon, they will perform a thorough history to determine the exact issues you would like addressed. A full examination will determine surgical recommendations for rejuvenation as well as determine if prolapse is present and if this is the cause of the vaginal looseness or decreased sexual sensation. In instances where the lower musculature has weakened, a prolapse repair is scheduled. During this procedure, the structure of the lower vagina and perineum are addressed, and as a result the vaginal opening is tightened and the caliber is decreased. By repairing the supporting musculature between the rectum and vagina, the normal vaginal anatomy is restored.

Both vaginal rejuvenation and rectocele repair are done in an operating room, under general anesthesia and are typically billed through insurance.