What is a Vaginoplasty?

Vaginal Plastic Surgery

Vaginoplasty. The word vaginoplasty literally refers to plastic surgery of the vagina. Vaginoplasties are more commonly recognized as a sex change procedure through construction of a vagina from the penis, but it can also refer to cosmetic surgeries to help rebuild and refresh the vagina.

What types of thing could cause a woman to want or need vaginoplasty? Childbirth, as well as other trauma such as resulting from a sexual assault, female castration as often performed in non-American cultures, and weight gain can help misshape the vaginal area, and may be one reason for a vaginoplasty. There are also some genetic disorders that affect the proper formation of the female reproductive system, including the shape and appearance of the vagina. Such surgery would help to restore the outward appearance of the vagina, labia, and clitoris but can lead to some scarring and decreased sensitivity.

The more commonly known utilization of the vaginoplasty procedure would be in order to physically change one's gender from male to female. In performing a male to female sex change operation, the new vagina is formed using existing penile tissue. A few months later, a follow up surgery to create the labia and clitoris is performed. For those seeking cosmetic adjustments only through vaginoplasty, they can expect an overnight hospital stay with costs ranging from $2,000 to in excess of $15,000 dollars, depending on the exact procedure or procedures being performed. For men seeking gender reassignment, they should expect a one to three day hospital stay, and for costs to range from $8,000 to $30,000. For females seeking to become males, the costs can range from $10,000 onward to $60,000.

Most vaginoplasty surgical procedures are irreversible and should be performed only after long consideration of the pros and cons and only after seeking thorough medical consultation.