Normal labor does not change the size of the vagina because the muscles return to normal after delivery. Even when the perineum, which is the structure that connects the musculature between the vaginal canal and the anus, is ruptured into a larger orifice, doctors redo the structure so that everything returns to normal.
However, in some cases, the muscles and nerves of the region become damaged, which may slightly widen the vaginal canal and cause pain and discomfort during intercourse. In these cases, you can do exercises to strengthen the muscles of the vagina or resort to perineoplasty surgery, which corrects the structure of this organ.
What leaves the vagina wide
After having children, many women feel changes in the structure and size of the vagina, but this change is natural and occurs mainly due to the advancing age when the muscles become looser.
In addition, gestation itself causes a loosening of the abdomen and uterus muscles, which may affect orgasm after delivery, with no difference between normal delivery and cesarean delivery.
What to do to prevent vagina enlargement
To prevent vaginal enlargement, urogynecological physiotherapy should be done, which aims to strengthen the perineum region muscles, which will lower the vaginal canal and prevent problems such as urinary incontinence.
Urogynecological physiotherapy uses different resources, such as performing Kegel exercises, electrostimulation or measuring muscle activity in the region. Here's how to practice Kegel exercises to prevent urinary incontinence.
Also watch the following video and learn what types of exercises you can do to control urinary incontinence and improve your pelvic muscles:
Vaginal surgery
Vaginal surgery, also called perineoplasty, is done to reshape the muscles of the vaginal region after delivery, correcting the feeling of looseness and discomfort during intimate relationships.
Ideally, the surgery should be done 6 months to 1 year after childbirth, a period the body takes to return to normal after pregnancy. In addition, before surgery you need to lose weight and do physical activity to stimulate the muscles in the vaginal area. See more details on perineoplasty surgery.