SEXUAL URGENCY: THERAPY MAKES USE OF LASER TO TIGHTEN, REJUVENATE THE VAGINA
The journey of womanhood has never been an easy one.
When people think of activism and advocacy for women, they often envision hyper-visible forms of activism such as the #AllBlackWithADoek movement that saw women across the nation adorning colourful doeks and black clothes as a bold tribute to the late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela or the remarkable 620km Indian women’s wall of protest in support of their right to worship.
But for obstetrician, general and aesthetic gynaecologist Dr Portia Manamela, women activism involves an array of medical techniques to expertly perform procedures that give women a new lease of confidence and affirm their sexual and reproductive urgency.
It sometimes also means actively driving conversations and creating spaces that examine the still warped and archaic perceptions on cosmetic gynaecology.
“We live in a very paternalistic society where sexuality is seen as something that’s supposed to benefit mainly men, and so many women still struggle with being in touch with their bodies or even speaking out when they experience sexual dysfunctions,” says Dr Manamela.
“They [women] feel that maybe it’s not within their rights to speak out and take complete ownership of their bodies. That’s why it’s important to me to empower women with education and gynaecological treatments that will enable them to truly know their bodies so that they feel as good down there as they do up here.”
The journey of womanhood has never been an easy one, the extent to which is greatly impacted by how a woman feels about the state of affairs of genital area.
Dr Manamela is no stranger to this, her journey to being a doctor and eventually obstetrician, general and cosmetic gynaecologist, has not been without its challenges, but it’s a story of ultimate triumph.
She’s one of South Africa’s early entrants into cosmetic gynaecology; a journey which was sparked in the streets of a small mining
Johannesburg where she grew up.
City’s conversation with Dr Manamela shed some light into aesthetic gynaecology and what it involves …
1. It’s a branch in gynaecology that deals with improving the female genital look and feel as well as its functionality using surgery, laser therapy and other nonsurgical methods.
Procedures include tightening the vaginal area, improving sensation in the pelvic area, removing genital pain or discomfort, altering the look of the genital lips, G-spot enhancements, reducing clitoral hood and etcetera; 2. Many women across the world have long or asymmetrical labia because of various reasons, two of which have to do with cultural practices and genetics.
Unfortunately, elongated labia have excess tissue that can cause discomfort or affect the quality of life of a woman. The labia are also
What is cosmetic gynaecology? Labiaplasty is said to be the fastest-growing cosmetic procedure, why?
prone to infection. Because of this, many women opt to undergo the procedure to improve the appearance or reduce discomfort; 3. The most common is labiaplasty which is a procedure that alters the labia minora (inner labia) and the labia majora (outer labia); another one is vaginoplasty which is the tightening of the vagina because sometimes women feel that after giving birth or as they age, they lose the tightness and that causes sexual frustrations. Laser therapy is also popular and it is similar to vaginoplasty except it makes the use of a laser to tighten, rejuvenate the vagina; 4. It is booming because women now have access to information and resources that empower them to take charge of their bodies. The global sentiment on which part of the body is allowed to be altered (or not) and for what reasons, has been changing fortunately. There is less taboo around that. In the same way women with tattoos were frowned upon not too long ago, but are now celebrated; 5.
What are the three most popular aesthetic gynaecology procedures? Cosmetic gynaecology is booming, why? In what non-physical ways, do women benefit from aesthetic gynaecology procedures?
Once women like what they see or feel about their vaginas, the trickle-down effect is amazing – their self-esteem, confidence, sexual satisfaction, and sense of dignity greatly improves. 6.
You say that you offer a holistic approach to women’s health. What does that mean?
It means I’m invested in women’s health from head to toe and I am sensitive to the nuances in the sexual and reproductive experiences of women of all ages, races and creeds. I am not just looking after a woman in terms of her gynaecological needs. I am also dedicated to her wellbeing in terms of emotions, self-esteem, dignity, and education.
I am dedicated to journeying with them from preteens to post-menopause, taking care of their genital wellbeing from the inside out, being there for them before, during and after pregnancy, assisting women with fertility problems, treating women with high- and low-risk pregnancies as well as screening, prevention, and treatment of cervical cancer.
Debunking myths on aesthetic gynaecology
1.
The trend in the beautification of the female genitalia is because men have unrealistic expectations about the appearance of the female body.
It has little to do with men and what they think. I get a lot of patients who complain that they feel they are not tight enough. After a traumatic birth or as women grow older, they feel things are sagging down there.
With regards to orgasmic ability, a lot of women don’t know their bodies; they don’t know what it is, or how their bodies work and how to respond to certain stimuli; 2.
Women undergo cosmetic gynaecology procedures because they are vain about a body part that is not meant to be enhanced.
A big part of cosmetic gynaecology is concerned with the functionality of a woman’s vaginal area, than just making it look pretty.
There are women who have pain during sex, certain procedures can treat that. Some women have urinary problems where they leak when they cough.
It’s not about vanity, it’s about comfort and functionality too. And if we are allowed to enhance other parts of our bodies, I don’t see why that shouldn’t be the same with our genital area; and 3.
Women don’t care about vaginal tightness or orgasmic ability during sex like men do.
An unfortunate misconception is that women seek cosmetic gynaecological treatments not for themselves primarily, but for the satisfaction of men.
This is false and condescending, it’s a narrative that dismisses women’s say over their bodies and how they experience sex.
Women feel that maybe it’s not within their rights to speak out and take complete ownership of their bodies.
Dr Portia Manamela Obstetrician, general and aesthetic gynaecologist.
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