How Common is Vaginal Laxity?
Why Isn’t Vaginal Laxity Being Talked About?
Starting the Conversation
How Common is Vaginal Laxity?
In a survey1 of over four hundred women who had vaginal deliveries, nearly half reported some level of concern with vaginal looseness, or what is known as vaginal laxity (see figure below).
Click on image to enlarge
Why Isn’t Vaginal Laxity Being Talked About?
A woman who is concerned about laxity doesn’t talk about it with her physician for several reasons:
- She’s embarrassed to bring it up
- She perceives her physician as too old or too young; or that the physician wouldn’t understand if not a woman or if he/she doesn’t have children
- She doesn’t know how to articulate her experience
- She doesn’t talk about her sexual health with her physician
- She’s concerned if she brings it up she’ll be dismissed or not taken seriously
A physician isn’t talking about vaginal laxity (or other post childbirth physical changes she may experience) with his/her patients for several reasons:
- He/She may not feel comfortable talking to patients about a condition he may not have a good solution for
- He/She may have limited knowledge about available treatments
- He/She doesn’t have time during a routine or annual visit to discuss sexual health concerns
Read more about our conversations with women and OB/GYNs about vaginal laxity.
Starting the Conversation
While it may be a difficult subject to bring up, sexual satisfaction is an important part of your overall sexual health, and is worthy of a dialogue. If you’re concerned about vaginal laxity, it’s time to start the conversation with your doctor and find out if the Viveve procedure is right for you.
1 Viveve Female Study, June 2009