The Effect of Vaginal Tightening Surgery on Sexual Function: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Gynecology
• Female Sexual Health
• Surgical Outcomes

Background:

• Physiological events like childbirth and menopause can alter vaginal structure, potentially impacting sexual function.
• Vaginal laxity and associated changes can negatively affect a woman's sexual well-being and relationships.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the existing literature on the effects of vaginal tightening surgery on female sexual function.
• To evaluate the quality of evidence supporting the efficacy of vaginal tightening procedures for improving sexual health.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, etc.) from 2000 to February 2024.
• Included studies focused on vaginal tightening surgeries performed for non-medical reasons and assessed postoperative sexual function using quantitative tools.

Main Results:

• Eleven studies were identified, examining sexual function after vaginal reconstructive procedures addressing concerns like reduced friction and orgasmic difficulties.
• While many studies suggested improvement in sexual function, methodological limitations raise concerns about the reliability of these findings.

Conclusions:

• Current evidence suggests potential benefits of vaginal tightening surgery for female sexual function.
• However, conclusions are limited by the lack of standardized measurement for vaginal laxity and inconsistencies in surgical techniques and assessment methods.