The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

COSMETIC gynaecology has steadily been gaining momentum in recent years, with more and more women looking at it as a viable option for a range of problems.

According to local obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Leon Dupuch, some women undergo cosmetic gynaecological surgery to return their vagina to its original condition prior to childbirth, others seek procedures to enhance sexual gratification or do to regain control of their bodies.

This Thursday, at the Doctors Hospital Conference Room starting at 6pm, Dr Dupuch will host a lecture to speak to Bahamians on this and various other topics surrounding cosmetic gynaecology.

With more than 30 million women alone in North America suffering from symptoms of pelvic relaxation and urinary incontinence, cosmetic gynaecology has become one of the fastest growing segments of female surgery, Dr Dupuch told Tribune Woman.

Conditions such as prolapse of pelvic organs like the bladder, rectum, bowel and uterus have rapidly increased over the years as the baby boomer generation ages and the traumas of childbearing become apparent, he said.

Dr Dupuch said cosmetic gynaecology is a specialised form of surgery used to restore and enhance the appearance and functionality of the vaginal area.

One procedure is labiaplasty, where the labia are reduced in size or reshaped not only for cosmetic purposes but for problems with discomfort, trauma etc.
Vaginoplasty, he said, is a procedure where the vagina is tightened or altered slightly due to disfigurement due to trauma, weight gain or even smoking. It may involve the correction of a prolapse where the vaginal wall prolapses down through the vagina or even the uterus in some cases.

Yet another procedure is clitoral hood reduction – a slight reduction in the amount skin covering the clitoris can in many cases increase sensitivity.
“Cosmetic gynaecology is a subject that I’ve found not many people know about. They may have heard a little bit on television or seen it more and more being advertised around the United States. What this lecture hopes to achieve is purely to inform women of what cosmetic gynaecology is and to show them a few examples of what it entails,” said Dr Dupuch.
For the most part, Dr Dupuch hopes to show those in attendance that there are many different variations of female genitalia that are in actual fact all normal.

As in the case with breasts, they may change their shape and size after child birth and with age, and some women may then choose to get implants or reductions to give them a more youthful appearance. The same goes for cosmetic gynaecology.
“Some women choose to have this surgery as a result of discomfort having sex, discomfort wearing tight clothing (swimsuits for example), discomfort taking part in activities such as cycling or running, feeling uncomfortable with the size and shape of their labia, and finally disfigurement from previous surgery or traumatic events,” said Dr Dupuch.
He said there is certainly an interest for cosmetic gynaecology in the Bahamas, as women here experience the same issues as other women around the world.

While this type of procedure can be embarrassing for some to talk about, Dr Dupuch said Bahamian women are becoming more and more empowered and comfortable with discussing issues they may have with their bodies.
“There are surprisingly many women who have concerns about problems with their genitalia. Until now there has really been nowhere that women could get specialised advise and treatment. In the past and even today these procedures are being performed by different specialists and generalists. Now it has become much more specialised, with newer advanced equipment and techniques. I believe women nowadays are more aware of their bodies and what they want, and (they) have a right to choose for themselves,” said Dr Dupuch.
Cosmetic gynaecology is available to all women, but according to Dr Dupuch, there are a number of situations where these procedures might not be appropriate. He said it should ideally be avoided in young women under the age of 21, unless it involves a disfiguring or traumatic event or pain.
Also, women that suffer from keloid formation, medical illnesses such a uncontrolled diabetes that may affect healing should avoid this type of surgery,and these are just a few examples. Before going ahead with any surgery, it should be discussed in detail with a patient and the doctor should only move ahead once a full understanding is appreciated, Dr Dupuch said.
As with any surgical procedure, Dr Dupuch said there are risks involved such as bleeding and infection, and as with any cosmetic procedure not achieving the desired result may be a concern.
“All of these are discussed at great length prior to moving forward with any procedure. We ensure that the patient is fully informed and understands all pros and cons,” he said.