Everything You’ve Wanted to Know about Vaginal Cosmetic Treatments

When it comes to cosmetic procedures, no area of the body is off limits! As plastic surgery has become more and more socially acceptable, it is no surprise that women are curious about ways to rejuvenate and beautify their “intimate anatomy” with cosmetic gynecology procedures. Many women feel self-conscious or embarrassed about the appearance of their genitalia, particularly if the delicate skin is large or misshapen, while others want to reverse the effects that age, hormones, and motherhood have had on their bodies. Fortunately, there are a variety of safe and effective vaginal cosmetic treatments to choose from, some of which do not even require surgery, such as ThermiVa.

At Comprehensive Urology, we have extensive experience performing medical and cosmetic vaginal treatments designed to help women feel comfortable and regain their sexual confidence again. To learn more, please review the following information and then schedule a consultation at our Beverly Hills office.

Types of Feminine Rejuvenation Procedures

There are a variety of cosmetic vaginal treatments available to give women younger, sleeker, and more aesthetically pleasing genitals (externally and internally) while also providing actual medical benefits as well.

The most effective cosmetic vaginal rejuvenation treatments include:

Labiaplasty

One of the most common cosmetic vaginal treatments in LA, labiaplasty involves surgically reducing the size of the labia minora (inner lips) and/or the labia majora (outer lips) of the vulva. Some women may simply dislike the size and shape of their labia, or some may experience irritation or chafing as a result of the inner labia extending past the outer labia. Labiaplasty can address both of these issues by shortening and/or re-shaping the labia.

Vaginoplasty

Often requested by mothers who have given birth vaginally, a vaginoplasty involves tightening the vaginal canal and opening by surgically removing excess tissue in order to create a smaller diameter. The procedure can help restore a tighter tone and texture to the vagina after childbirth.

Learn more about the cosmetic vaginal treatment vaginoplasty at Wikipedia.org.

FemiLift ®

FemiLift is a non-surgical treatment designed to tighten vaginal tissue, improve nerve function, and establish younger-looking tissue using laser energy. This painless procedure is performed with a thin probe that is inserted into the vagina where pulsed laser energy transforms the tissues and structures of the internal and external genitals. The FemiLift vaginal cosmetic treatment can also relieve mild to moderate forms of urinary incontinence by tightening the pelvic muscles and can even “bleach” darkened vaginal skin.

ThermiVa®

Similar to FemiLift, ThermiVa relies on radiofrequency waves to heat the vaginal tissue and cause it to rejuvenate and tighten. The radiofrequency waves stimulate collagen and elastin fiber production in the skin, which leads to a firmer, more supple texture while also triggering increased blood flow and nerve production. As a result, ThermiVa effectively improves the appearance and function of the vaginal tissue and muscles. With just one vaginal treatment session, most patients easily see and feel the difference.

How is Recovery After a Vaginal Tightening Procedure?

The recovery process will vary depending on whether a patient has undergone vaginal plastic surgery or a non-surgical vaginal rejuvenation treatment in Los Angeles. Surgical treatments can be performed on an outpatient basis, but the patient will undergo local or general anesthesia followed by incisions to remove and shorten the delicate tissue. Following surgery, patients can experience swelling and tenderness for a few days while the incisions heal. During this time, it is suggested that the patients do not engage in any strenuous physical activities including intercourse.

Non-surgical treatments, on the other hand, such as ThermiVa do not require any downtime and patients can return to everyday activities, and even engage in sex, immediately after treatments.

Who is a Candidate for Vaginal Cosmetic Treatment?

In order to be eligible for surgical or non-surgical vaginal cosmetic treatments, it’s crucial to consult with a skilled specialist with extensive experience in performing such cosmetic treatments. The urologists at Comprehensive Urology determine a good candidate for vaginal cosmetic treatments based on whether she is in good health, has mild to moderate vaginal looseness or stretching, does not suffer from severe pelvic floor damage, and has realistic expectations. Surgical procedures (e.g. vaginoplasty), or non-surgical (e.g. ThermiVa), each come with various potential risks and benefits, which is why it is so important to only undergo treatment with an expert and to discuss each option in-depth before choosing one.

For more severe vaginal concerns, the Los Angeles team at Comprehensive Urology can conduct a thorough exam to determine the best treatment options as well. Do not hesitate to schedule a consultation to receive the care and treatment you need to regain control and comfort.

In a Nutshell: Vaginal Rejuvenation Treatments

• Popular: Increasing numbers of women are actively exploring and utilizing methods to rejuvenate and enhance their “intimate anatomy.”
• Multiple Benefits: Improved self-esteem, sexual confidence, and cosmetic appearance of the female genitalia aside, many patients also report improved urinary and sexual function.
• Methods: There are many options available based on the individual patient’s needs. Surgical options include vaginoplasty and labiaplasty. Non-surgical procedures include Femi-Lift® and ThermiVa®. Full counseling by our expert urologists will help you identify the best treatment option(s) for you.

Call Comprehensive Urology for Vaginal Rejuvenation Today!

If you are interested in vaginal cosmetic treatments or would like to address a medical issue, such as incontinence or prolapse, contact a skilled urologist in LA for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment options. Our team at Comprehensive Urology has decades of experience helping women of all ages. Call (310) 499-2756 today to schedule an appointment or comprehensive exam.

Next, read How This Unknown Cause of Male Infertility Could Be Affecting You

The post Everything You’ve Wanted to Know about Vaginal Cosmetic Treatments appeared first on Comprehensive Urology.

The 5 Greatest Risk Factors for Bladder Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer among men and is the 8th most common cause of death in men due to cancer. The symptoms are wide-ranging but don’t always show themselves, so yearly checkups with your doctor are strongly advised – you’ve got family and other responsibilities to uphold.

Even if the symptoms aren’t always noticeable, there are plenty of risk factors to be aware of and avoid as much as possible. At Comprehensive Urology in Los Angeles, we specialize in diagnosing cancer of the bladder and bladder cancer treatment, and we want to make sure you understand the most common risk factors for this disease.

Common Risk Factors

These factors increase chances of a person acquiring bladder cancer:

General Personal Makeup

Simply put, if you are a white male aged 55 or older, you’re at the most risk.

Men are three times more likely than women to get bladder cancer. Nearly nine out of every 10 Americans who get this disease are 55 or older. Caucasians are twice as likely to get it as African Americans, and several times more likely than Asians, Hispanics, and Native Americans.

Like most cancers, the incidence of bladder cancer increases with age and generally speaking older patients have a higher chance of having cancer of the bladder compared to younger patients.

Genetics/Family History

If you’ve had a family member with bladder cancer, your risk rises significantly. In some cases, there may be certain aspects of your DNA that make you more prone to developing this form of cancer, while in other instances, it could be that you and your affected family members were exposed to the same carcinogen. Either way, family history plays an important part.

Environmental Exposure

We don’t want to make you paranoid, but there are many chemicals in your surroundings that are big risk factors. Aniline dyes and some of the dye in your clothes, such as benzidine, has been strongly linked with bladder cancer. This is true for many other petrochemicals. In fact, many products in your LA home or office made of leather, rubber, textiles, or ink could contain chemicals that expose you to more risk.

Arsenic in public drinking water has also been found to be associated with it, though every locality has safety measures in place that restrict the amount of level in the sources of public drinking water. Certain jobs are thought to be riskier, as well. These include painters, printers, truck drivers, dry cleaners, and hairdressers, to name a few.

Previous Personal History

If you’ve undergone chemotherapy or radiation therapy for another type of cancer, your risk of bladder cancer is heightened. A chemotherapy drug called cyclophosphamide has been linked to higher risk as has frequent radiation aimed at your pelvic region.

If you already have a history of cancer, then your risk is certainly elevated, as cancer can return in other, connected regions such as your kidneys, ureter, or urethra. If you’ve had bladder cancer treatment in the past in Beverly Hills, you should closely monitor your recovery and be alert for any signs of recurrence because it commonly happens.

Smoking

Last, but most certainly not least, is smoking. In fact, it’s probably not a surprise that smoking and tobacco use are the most common risk factors – it’s thought to be the cause of more than half of all bladder cancer cases. In fact, smokers are up to four times more likely to develop it than are nonsmokers.

If you quit, you’ll almost immediately lower your risk of getting this cancer. When you inhale cigarette smoke, cancer-causing chemicals are eventually filtered by your kidneys and deposited into the urine in your bladder, which damages cells on the organ’s walls and increases your risk.

“Second-hand” smoke or inhalation of another person’s tobacco some who is in the same location with you, also poses a risk.

Learn more about risk factors for this disease at WebMD.com.

Bladder Cancer Prognosis and Survival Rates

After it’s been found that you have this cancer, the next step is to undergo a bladder staging test, such as a CT scan or MRI, to determine which of the four levels of this cancer you have:

• Stage I – Cancer is in the bladder inner lining but not yet in the muscular bladder wall.
• Stage II – Cancerous cells are now in the bladder wall but still confined within the organ.
• Stage III – The diseased cells have spread to tissue surrounding the bladder.
• Stage IV – Cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and other organs.

Your bladder cancer prognosis depends on a variety of elements, including which stage you’re in, the treatment you choose, and your body’s reaction to bladder cancer treatment.

As such, bladder cancer survival rates vary from patient to patient. However, here are some general survival rates:

• 5-year survival rate (SR) = 77%
• 10-year SR = 70%
• 15-year SR = 65%

These general rates are based on the cancer being confined to your bladder.

On the other hand, the rates of survival plummet once the cancer is no longer confined to the bladder. If cancer has spread to nearby organs, it drastically cuts down survival rate (e.g., 5-year SR is 34%). If cancer spreads to other, distant parts, there’s an even sharper decline (e.g., 5-year SR is 5%).

In a Nutshell: Bladder Cancer

• Risk factors: Smoking, chemical exposures, age and ethnicity, family history, chemo or pelvic radiation therapy for other cancers

• Symptoms: These may vary but most importantly include no symptoms, weight loss, blood in the urine, change in urinary frequency/urgency

• Staging: If diagnosed with bladder cancer, it is important to know if the cancer is confined to the bladder or involves other organs as this can significantly affect treatment.

Bladder Cancer Questions? Contact Comprehensive Urology Beverly Hills Today

If you are exposed on a daily basis to any of the risk factors mentioned above, you should be checked by a specialist. Know the general carcinogens for developing this cancer as well as your own personal risk factors. Contact the Los Angeles bladder cancer specialists at Comprehensive Urology for a consultation. Visit us online or call 310.499.2756 to schedule an appointment and learn more. Your family will thank you.

Next, read Everything You’ve Wanted to Know About Vaginal Cosmetic Treatments

The post The 5 Greatest Risk Factors for Bladder Cancer appeared first on Comprehensive Urology.