Surgery · Intimate

Vaginal tightening (vaginoplasty, colpoperineorrhaphy): when, how, and the non-surgical alternatives, in Paris 16th

Q: What does vaginal tightening cost?

Fees are listed in the fee schedule ; the quotation, provided before any decision, gives the exact amount.

Vaginal tightening — vaginoplasty to surgeons, colpoperineorrhaphy in operative reports, “vaginal rejuvenation” in the press — tightens the walls and the entrance of the vagina, for functional reasons, most often after one or more deliveries. This page is about that procedure, not about gender-affirming surgery, which also goes by the name vaginoplasty. The practice offers pelvic floor rehabilitation and the gynecological (gynaecological) laser first. Consultations at the practice, 42 avenue Mozart; Dr Chaima Gatri, OB-GYN and gynecological surgeon, operates herself at the Clinique de la Muette, a five-minute walk away. English-speaking practice.

Recognizing it · Who is it for

“It has felt wider since the birth”

The vagina and the perineum stretch during delivery; in some women a feeling of widening settles in and lasts. Patients' own words come back again and again:

“I don't feel anything any more” — the sensation of contact has changed during intercourse.
“It has felt wider since the birth” — a sense of gaping at the entrance of the vagina, which appeared after a delivery.
“My perineum is slack” — the muscles answer less when you contract them, when you cough, when you laugh.
“Air gets in” — sounds of air during intercourse.
“The scar pulls” — a painful band at the entrance of the vagina, after an episiotomy or a tear.

The examination tells apart what looks alike: laxity of the vaginal walls, gaping of the vaginal entrance and the perineum, a scar band, or pelvic organ descent — prolapse, which has its own page: incontinence and prolapse.

Book an appointment — Dr GATRI

The consultation

An examination, full information, time to decide

Dr Gatri first listens to the request — what has changed, since which birth — then examines the vulva, the perineum and the vaginal walls: the examination assesses the opening of the vaginal entrance, the tone of the perineal muscles, the state of the scars, and looks for an associated pelvic organ descent.

The information covers what the procedure tightens, the anesthesia, the recovery, the risks and the alternatives; the information sheet of the French National College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF) on nymphoplasty and vulvo-perineoplasty is given to you and talked through. A detailed quotation is then sent by e-mail, to be accepted by electronic signature; for a procedure performed for aesthetic reasons, French law requires this written quotation and a fifteen-day reflection period. Strict smoking cessation before surgery is required. Appointments are booked on Doctolib under « Consultation pour Vaginoplastie » (vaginal tightening consultation), or through the secretariat.

The procedure

Bringing the perineal muscles together, narrowing the vaginal entrance

The procedure has a medical name: posterior colpoperineorrhaphy. The tissues of the posterior wall of the vagina and the perineal muscles are brought together, then the mucosa is closed; the aim is to narrow the entrance of the vagina and to strengthen the perineum. A scar band is divided in the same operation; when the vulvar fourchette is involved, the vulvo-perineoplasty of the CNGOF sheet corrects its appearance.

The stitches — absorbable threads, which fall away on their own in the weeks that follow.
The place — the Clinique de la Muette, Paris 16th, where Dr Gatri operates herself.
The anesthesia — general or regional (spinal); the choice is made in consultation with the anesthesiologist (anaesthetist) of the Clinique de la Muette.
Combined procedures — a labiaplasty or a perineoplasty can be combined in the same operation; the quotation covers all of them.

A later pregnancy stretches the treated tissues again: the procedure is therefore discussed in the light of your plans for children.

Recovery

The first days, the first weeks

You feel a pulling sensation in the treated areas: it is well relieved by simple painkillers during the first week, and ice reduces the postoperative swelling.

Hygiene — a daily shower then careful drying, including after passing urine.
Clothing — loose clothes or skirts, with cotton underwear, for the first fifteen days.
Baths and sport — baths, water activities, tampons and strenuous sport resume after the postoperative consultation, generally one month later.
Intercourse — it resumes after that consultation.
Work — sick leave is generally prescribed; its length depends on the discomfort felt.

The CNGOF sheet details the risks: bleeding or hematoma during the operation; wound breakdown afterwards — the main one, which occurs with a hematoma and calls for local care, sometimes antibiotics; more rarely localized necrosis, or pain during intercourse, which is exceptional and usually transient. Heavy continuous bleeding, foul-smelling discharge, unusual pain or fever: call the surgical team.

The words

One procedure, several names

Vaginal tightening = vaginoplasty — colpoperineorrhaphy is the medical word, “vaginal rejuvenation” the one used in the media.
Perineoplasty = perineorrhaphy = perineal repair — the perineal part of the procedure; the CNGOF sheet calls it vulvo-perineoplasty.
Labiaplasty = labioplasty = nymphoplasty = labia minora reduction — often combined: see Labiaplasty.
Clitoral hood reduction, labia majora surgery, hymenoplasty — clitoridoplasty, vulvoplasty, reconstruction of the hymen.
The family — intimate surgery, cosmetic gynecology, aesthetic gynecology, genital surgery: see Intimate surgery.

Frequently asked questions

Your questions, our answers

What is vaginal tightening?

The tightening of the walls and the entrance of the vagina, particularly after one or more deliveries, for functional purposes; the medical name is posterior colpoperineorrhaphy.

Is it the same as gender-affirming surgery?

No: the word vaginoplasty also names the creation of a vagina in gender-affirming surgery; this page is about tightening the vagina after childbirth.

Laser or surgery?

The examination decides. The gynecological laser and the pelvic floor rehabilitation of the practice address laxity; surgery addresses gaping of the vaginal entrance and the perineum.

Is it covered by health insurance?

Performed for aesthetic reasons, it is outside the official schedule and is not reimbursed. When the indication is functional, coverage is possible; your quotation states it.

What does vaginal tightening cost?

Fees are listed in the fee schedule; the quotation, provided before any decision, gives the exact amount.

Is it painful?

According to the CNGOF sheet, the pulling sensation felt is well relieved by simple painkillers during the first week.

What kind of anesthesia?

General or regional, known as spinal; the choice is made in consultation with the anesthesiologist of the Clinique de la Muette.

When can I resume intercourse?

After the postoperative consultation, generally one month later — the same for tampons, baths and sport.

Fees

Fees and reimbursement

Vaginal tightening performed for aesthetic reasons is outside the official schedule: it is not reimbursed, it is subject to VAT, and French law requires a written quotation and a fifteen-day reflection period (Article L.6322-2 of the Public Health Code); when the indication is functional, the Assurance maladie covers it under sector 2 (non-OPTAM) conditions. Fees are listed in the fee schedule; clinic charges and the anesthetist's fees are settled with the Clinique de la Muette. The information framework of this site is described on the Patient information and ethics page.