What are the common deformities of the vulva?

A wide variety of vulvar deformities exist that women are born with or which develop over time. These irregularities occur in both the labia minora and the labia majora. ABAGyn surgeons report the largest number of compliants relate to the enlargement of the labia minora.

Among those deformities are:

Batwing Deformity – an asymmetrical enlargement of the labia minora.
Enlargement Minora – a symmetrical enlargement of the labia minora.
River Deformity – a flap-like duplication of the labia minora.

With the labia majora, women are bothered by both decrease and increase in size.
Enlargement Majora – a symmetrical enlargement of the labia majora
Senescence Majora – characterized by a loss of volume and wrinkling of the labia majora.

All of these conditions are treatable and correctable through aesthetic gynecology procedures, most commonly referred to as labiaplasty. As you can see, a labiaplasty isn’t a cookie cutter procedure. Surgeons must evaluate the individual patient’s concerns and correct deformities and irregularities to restore correct anatomic appearance.

What does the term “pelvic floor” mean?

The “pelvic floor” is a term used to describe the muscles, ligaments and connective tissue that provide support for a woman’s internal organs in the region known as the pelvis (including the bowel, bladder, uterus, vagina, and rectum). More than just keeping the organs in place, the pelvic floor helps ensure that these organs function properly.

For its part, the vagina acts as a support system to the uterus, urethra and bladder. The vagina is a fibromuscular tube or “fascia” covered with vaginal skin called mucosa. The fascia is responsible for the integrity and vaginal wall strength. This fascia is to muscles and ligaments of the pelvis.

To visualize this support structure, envision the fascia as a floor. The floor is covered with carpet, which is skin for this analogy. This skin gives no real assistance in support, it simply acts a covering.

Just like a floor, the fascia is a solid piece of material supporting anything that sits or stands upon it. The floor must be anchored to another structure to add greater strength and stability. In a home, the floor is attached to the walls and foundation. Similarly the vagina is connected to ligaments and muscles for support Vaginal childbirth impacts and weakens supports structures just as an earthquake shakes the integrity of walls in a house.

After childbirth the vagina is stretched and does not return to its original size and shape. This condition, called vaginal relaxation, frequently leads to decreased feelings of friction and loss of sexual satisfaction. Generally, the more vaginal deliveries, the worse the condition. Our blog readers know that this causes many women to experience decreased sensation and sexual satisfaction during intercourse.

Your vagina

Aba actually found a poll on www.tressugar.com that asks you to vote on your favorite slang term for vagina. The top two choices were “kitty” and “vajayjay”. Based on my previous post about Oprah, it makes sense her term ends up at the top of the list. But, when it comes time to sit down with a medical professional women need to set the right tone and show they value their bodies. How do you think your urogynecologist will respond when you say your “honey pot” is drooping?

Call a spade, a spade. And call your vagina, your vagina. If you are wondering where exactly your vagina is…it rests inside of your pelvis between the rectum and the bladder. Despite what you may think, the normal vaginal shape is not that of a simple tube or cylinder. The natural shape is actually more conical with a gradual increase in diameter. In its normal stage, prior to the stretching associated with vaginal child birth or changes that occur with aging, hysterectomy or other surgery, the vagina has a small tapered entrance. The uterus normally sits at the top of the vagina.

Time for a grown-up lecture

Alright ladies, I know how many of your have cutesy names for your anatomy. I don’t know if it’s modest or shy or even juvenile, but our society has non-technical terms for the female anatomy. The cutesy names may serve a purpose when toilet training children, but they can let women down in adulthood. Understanding the female anatomy increases in importance when health conditions such as pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence and vaginal relaxation occur.

Our ABAGyn member gynecologists, urologists and urogynecologists report that the majority of women have an incomplete understanding of their anatomy.

Aba doesn’t want to over lecture, even Oprah is guilty of saying “vajay-jay” on air. Here at ABAGyn our goal is to help educate women and their surgeons about aesthetic gynecology. Over the next few posts, Aba will give a solid overview of the female anatomy and proper terminology.