Urogynecologist’s Vaginal Rejuvenation Surgery Worsens Sexual Problems

Case Overview

This case involves a female patient who had surgery to remove a vaginal polyp five years ago. After the patient had spoken to a sex therapist about her discomfort, she was told that the issue may be medical and contacted her Ob/Gyn. The consequent surgery was conducted without incident, but the patient began to experience pain, bleeding, and tearing during intercourse in the area where the polyp had been removed. The patient’s Ob/Gyn referred her to a specialist to develop an effective treatment plan. She was referred to an urogynecologist and was informed that a corrective rejuvenation surgery would solve her problem. The patient underwent the corrective procedure and the surgery was performed without any intraoperative complications. The patient, however, continued to experience long-term sexual dysfunction that included the inability to orgasm during intercourse.

Questions to the Urology expert and their responses

What are the indications of vaginal rejuvenation surgery?

Patients who report unpleasant aesthetic appearance, hygiene problems, chronic irritation, painful intercourse, and trouble with tight clothing are all considered candidates for surgery.

What are the contraindications of vaginal rejuvenation surgery?

Labia reduction surgery is relatively contraindicated in patients who have active gynecological disease, such as infection or malignancy. Patients who are smokers, and are unwilling to quit temporarily or permanently to optimize wound healing, may be excluded. Most importantly, patients with unrealistic goals or expectations should be appropriately counseled or excluded from surgery. This patient may have had some underlying psychiatric issue that should have been addressed before surgery and the corrective procedure may have uncovered a more ominous situation.

About the expert

This expert is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology with further fellowship training in Urogynecology from the University of Connecticut. She has extensive experience with the diagnosis, management and surgical intervention of female urological issues, including that of stress urinary incontinence. She currently is a practicing clinician at a Top university medical institution and publishes peer reviewed articles in the field of Urogynecology. She is currently in her second year of practice after fellowship and graduated from medical school in 2003.

E-004801

Specialties:

Urology