Li Hong is just forty this year, but some "little troubles" in life seem to sound the alarm of a mid-life crisis in advance. She recently found herself involuntarily leaking a few drops of urine when she sneezed or coughed, which made her feel very embarrassed and upset.
At a girlfriend party, she secretly revealed this little secret to her friends, but she didn't expect almost all of them to express similar troubles. They talk about it in private, and most think it must be vaginal laxity caused by "excessive sex". But is that really the case?
1. Medical definition and diagnostic criteria for vaginal laxity
In medical terms, vaginal laxity refers to the weakening of the elasticity of the muscles of the vaginal wall, causing the vagina to dilate and lose its moderate firmness. This phenomenon often brings a double blow to women's physical health and psychological state.
Clinically, doctors usually assess the degree of vaginal laxity by asking for medical history, gynecological examination, etc. If a woman is able to insert more than three fingers without squatting and feels significant laxity, then she is likely to be diagnosed with vaginal laxity. It's not just a matter of "size", it's also a question of "quality".
Because the firmness of the vagina is directly related to the health of the pelvic floor muscles, these muscles act as a net that supports a woman's uterus, bladder and rectum. Once this net is relaxed, all kinds of inconveniences and diseases will follow.
2. The correlation between sexual factors and vaginal laxity
When it comes to vaginal laxity, many people's first reaction is "excessive sex". It is true that sex is a factor that cannot be ignored for vaginal laxity, but it is by no means the only reason for it. Excessive friction and force during sex can indeed cause damage to the muscle fibers of the vaginal wall, which in turn can affect its elasticity.
However, this process is not achieved overnight, but is a long-term and complex process of physiological changes. In particular, uncoordinated sex, improper posture, or neglect of personal comfort can exacerbate the burden on the vaginal wall.
However, even with frequent sex, the risk of vaginal laxity does not increase significantly if both partners focus on skill and protection.
Therefore, simply blaming vaginal laxity on sex is clearly simplifying and misunderstanding this complex issue. The real situation is much more complex than this, involving many aspects such as physiological, psychological and daily habits.
3. Physiological changes: the influence of age and estrogen levels
As women age, estrogen levels in the body gradually decline, a physiological phenomenon that has a profound impact on the structure and function of the vaginal wall.
Estrogen is a key hormone in maintaining the thickness and elasticity of the vaginal wall, which promotes blood flow to the vaginal wall and maintains its fullness and firmness.
However, when women enter menopause, ovarian function declines, estrogen secretion decreases, and the vaginal wall gradually becomes thinner, and the elasticity decreases, resulting in vaginal laxity. In fact, according to statistics, more than half of postmenopausal women will experience symptoms of vaginal laxity to varying degrees.
In addition, decreased estrogen levels can affect the strength and endurance of the pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic floor muscles are important muscles that support the uterus, bladder and rectum, and their health is directly related to the firmness of the vagina.
Therefore, as women age, they should pay special attention to the exercise and maintenance of pelvic floor muscles to slow down the process of vaginal laxity.
4. The effect of gynecological diseases and surgical intervention on vaginal laxity
Gynaecological conditions and surgical interventions are also important factors that contribute to vaginal laxity. For example, inflammatory diseases such as cervicitis and vaginitis can cause damage to the vaginal mucosa, affecting the tightness of the vaginal wall. Pelvic inflammatory diseases, on the other hand, may indirectly cause vaginal laxity by damaging the pelvic floor muscles.
Surgical interventions, especially gynaecological surgeries such as hysterectomy, vaginal wall repair, etc., can also have an impact on the structure and function of the vagina. During the procedure, the nerves and blood vessels in the vaginal wall may be damaged, affecting its normal physiological function.
In addition, any surgery that weakens the pelvic floor muscles may increase the risk of vaginal laxity. According to studies, some women who have undergone gynaecological surgery will have varying degrees of pelvic floor dysfunction after surgery.
It is important to note that even common minor gynaecological surgeries such as abortion cannot ignore their potential impact on vaginal health. Abortion surgery may result in microtrauma to the vaginal wall and cervix, which is more likely to be exacerbated by repeated surgeries.
Therefore, when considering any gynecologic surgery, women should fully communicate with their doctor to clarify the necessity and possible side effects of surgery, and actively take measures to promote the recovery of pelvic floor muscles after surgery.
5. Fertility history: the effect of the number of deliveries on vaginal laxity
Childbirth, especially vaginal delivery, has a significant impact on vaginal laxity in women. During childbirth, the baby is born through the vagina, a process that undoubtedly poses a great challenge to the vaginal wall and its supporting structures.
Women who have given birth vaginally may experience varying degrees of stretching and tearing in the muscles of their vaginal walls.
Studies have shown that multiple vaginal births increase a woman's risk of vaginal laxity later in life. Especially after experiencing multiple deliveries in a short period of time, the recovery time of the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments is reduced, which can lead to a more severe degree of vaginal laxity.
In addition, factors such as the weight of the fetus at the time of delivery, the length of labor, and the mode of delivery used during labor can all affect the recovery of the vagina.
Studies in the medical community have shown that proper prenatal education and postnatal recovery training can effectively reduce the impact of childbirth on vaginal structures. Therefore, understanding and implementing these strategies is an important part of every woman's pregnancy preparation and postpartum recovery.
6. Lifestyle: The potential effects of sedentary and inactivity
Sedentary lifestyles and lack of exercise are also potential factors that contribute to vaginal laxity. Prolonged sitting reduces blood circulation to the pelvic floor muscles, reducing muscle activity and elasticity. Over time, the support of the pelvic floor muscles is weakened, and the problem of vaginal laxity may follow.
Lack of exercise reduces muscle strength throughout the body, including the pelvic floor muscles that support the vagina. Without adequate exercise, the pelvic floor muscles tend to become loose and unable to effectively support the vagina and related organs.
For this, it's important to do regular targeted pelvic floor muscle exercises. Professional pelvic floor muscle training, such as Kegel exercises, has been shown to be effective in improving the strength and endurance of pelvic floor muscles, and can help improve or prevent vaginal laxity.
In addition, active lifestyle modifications, such as regular standing activities and avoiding long periods of motionless sitting, are also important measures to maintain vaginal health.
summary
Vaginal laxity is a problem that many women may experience, and it not only affects a woman's physical health, but can also have an impact on her mental and social life.
However, by understanding the causes of vaginal laxity and taking effective preventive and corrective measures, women can take the initiative to maintain their health. Whether it's through simple exercises in your daily routine or seeking professional medical help if necessary, it's important not to ignore any possible signs and act promptly.