Many women ask how to tighten their vagina after delivery. Let’s talk about real solutions that actually work.
What Changes Happen to Your Vagina After Delivery?
After delivery, many women notice changes to their vagina. These changes can occur regardless of whether you had a vaginal delivery or a C-section. Here are some common changes you might experience:
1. Stretching of the Vagina
The amount of stretching depends on several factors. These include the size of your baby, your genetics, and how many births you’ve had. If you had a vaginal delivery, your vagina may stretch more than if you had a C-section. If you pushed before a C-section, some stretching may occur, but it will be minimal if the baby did not pass through the vaginal opening.
2. Soreness, Discomfort, and Bruising
After a vaginal delivery, it’s normal to feel tenderness and discomfort. This soreness can last for about three to five weeks. Even if you did not tear, the area has still been stretched. You may find it painful to sit down or cough. However, the discomfort should gradually improve each day.
3. Burning and Pain as Tears Heal
If you experienced a tear or had an episiotomy, you might feel burning as the area heals. Tears can vary in severity, from minor skin breaks to more serious injuries involving muscles. Healing can take from seven to ten days for small tears, and up to six weeks for larger ones. If your pain worsens or does not improve, contact your healthcare provider.
4. Vaginal Discharge
After delivery, your body needs to clear out extra blood, mucus, and tissue. This results in postpartum vaginal bleeding, known as lochia. For the first three to ten days, the bleeding will be heavier than a regular period. After that, it will lighten and change color from red to pink, then brown, and finally yellowish-white over four to six weeks.
5. Vaginal Dryness
Lower estrogen levels after birth can lead to vaginal dryness. This is especially common if you are breastfeeding, as it suppresses estrogen. The dryness should improve once you stop breastfeeding.
6. Changes in Appearance
You may notice that your vagina looks different after delivery. It might appear roomier, swollen, or more open. However, swelling will decrease within a few days. Over the next few weeks, your vagina will regain much of its muscle tone. Still, it may not return to its exact pre-pregnancy shape. Practicing Kegel exercises can help improve muscle tone and appearance.
How will changes to the vagina after delivery affect me?
After delivery, you may experience changes in your vagina and pelvic area. These changes can affect how your body functions in several ways:
- Painful Sex: In the weeks and months following a vaginal delivery, your vagina may feel stretched. As a result, sex can be tender or even painful for a while. Most healthcare providers recommend waiting four to six weeks after delivery before resuming sexual activity. If you wait several months before being intimate again, sex may feel uncomfortable initially. Even if you had a C-section, vaginal dryness can make sex painful. Using a lubricant can help once your doctor gives you the go-ahead. If you use latex or polyisoprene condoms, pair them with a water-based lubricant to avoid tearing.
- Incontinence: After childbirth, many women experience urinary incontinence. This means you may feel an urge to pee or have leakage when sneezing, laughing, or exercising. This can happen even if you had a C-section. The pelvic muscles and nerves that help control urination can weaken during pregnancy. If you had a vaginal delivery, your pelvic floor muscles may be stretched, increasing the risk of incontinence.
- Difficulty Having Bowel Movements: It may take three to five days after giving birth before you have your first bowel movement. This delay can be normal, but it varies for each woman. Weakened pelvic floor muscles and pain medications can slow down bowel movements, even after a C-section. If you pushed during a vaginal delivery, you might also experience hemorrhoids or anal fissures, making bowel movements more painful. Your doctor may recommend stool softeners or fiber supplements to help ease this process.
How to Tighten your Vagina after Delivery
If you’re looking to tighten your vagina after delivery, one effective option to explore is Kegels. Kegels are simple exercises that strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. To perform Kegels, imagine you’re sitting on a marble and trying to pull it up into your vagina.
To ensure you’re using the right muscle, try stopping the flow of urine while urinating. If you can stop it, you’re using the correct muscle. However, avoid doing Kegels regularly while urinating, as this can cause muscle dysfunction and lead to urinary problems.
Another option to consider is VTone. VTone uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic technology to stimulate the pelvic floor muscles, resulting in improved muscle tone and strength. The treatment is painless and non-invasive, with each session lasting only 30 minutes.
During a VTone session, a small device is inserted into the vagina, delivering electromagnetic pulses to the pelvic floor muscles. These pulses cause the muscles to contract and relax, simulating the effects of Kegels. The device also includes a built-in sensor that measures the strength of your pelvic floor muscles and adjusts the intensity of the pulses accordingly.
VTone is a safe and effective option for women who want to improve their pelvic floor strength and tighten their vagina after childbirth. The treatment has been clinically proven to enhance muscle tone, reduce bladder leakage, and improve sexual satisfaction.
Contact us at Jennifer Carly Aesthetic Medicine to book a VTone consultation or to get started.
