Tips for Vaginal Toning & Tightening

Q: Since having a baby I find that I am not able to maintain vaginal tightness. Is there anything that can help?

A: After a vaginal delivery, the vaginal walls and the associated muscles can be stretched out. During the year following delivery, though, there is some natural recovery of muscle tone. After that, you have to work on it if you want further improvement.

Kegel exercises are often recommended to tighten the vagina. You start by identifying the muscles you want to tighten. Sit on the toilet bowel and begin to urinate, then stop the urinary stream before you are finished. The muscles you used to stop urinating are the ones you need to work on. Work the muscles by repeatedly contracting and relaxing them.

If you have problems identifying the correct muscles, contact a physical therapist. Your doctor can direct you to a physical therapy department that is equipped with a biofeedback machine. The machines help identify the appropriate muscles and train you how to do Kegel exercises more effectively.

You may also wish to consider vaginal weights. These are smooth plastic oval devices of varying weight. They are placed in the vagina and held in there while you are walking around. As your muscles get stronger, you increase the weight.

If all this fails, there is surgery called perinoplasty or vaginoplasty, which is done under anesthesia. Before considering it, though, be certain that you’re through with childbearing, or you could find yourself with the same problem after your next delivery.