Additional preconditions vulvoplasty and vaginoplasty
For vulvoplasty and vaginoplasty, additional preparations will be needed, such as training your pelvic floor muscles and permanent depilation of the genital area.
Pelvic physiotherapy
To gain more control over the pelvic floor muscles, you will be given explanations and practical tips on how to use these muscles prior to surgery. A physical therapist who specializes in the pelvic floor can help you with this. You will learn to consciously relax your pelvic floor muscles. This can ensure that you can urinate and defecate properly without pressing. Additional explanation can be found in
the animation video from Amsterdam UMC.
After the vaginoplasty, relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles is important during dilation - to keep the vagina open - and wound healing. More information on dilation can be found
here.
Permanent depilation of the genital area
In vulvoplasty and vaginoplasty, the genital tract is made of skin from the genital area. Your health care provider may recommend permanent hair removal prior to surgery. To prevent hair from growing in unwanted areas, such as the inside of the labia or the vaginal cavity, this skin should be permanently depilated in the period before surgery. The images below show the places where permanent hair removal is generally necessary. If skin from other areas is used to create the vaginal cavity, these will also need to be depilated.
Hair can be permanently removed by electrolysis or intense pulsed light treatment. In consultation with a skin therapist, you will determine which depilation technique would be the most suitable, in your case.
In general, permanent hair removal lasts at least four months. Therefore, it is advised to start this early, before you have had appointments with the surgeon. It is important to realize that surgery is done in consultation with the healthcare facility. Therefore, hair removal does not guarantee genital surgery.
Advice for at home
In preparation for the period following your operation, it will be handy if you buy a few things in advance: a dilator set, water-based lubricant and a mirror on a stand.