- Vaginal tightening methods like at-home lasers, wands, herbs, and gels are not tested or safe.
- But your doctor can perform effective procedures called laser and radiofrequency tightening.
Your vagina goes through major changes when you give birth or enter menopause — and if your muscles or connective tissue are damaged, you may find that your vagina feels "looser."
There are many products and procedures made popular by TikTok that claim to tighten your vagina, but many of them have not been researched and may even be dangerous.
Here are some of the myths about vaginal tightening and which treatments actually work.
Why vaginal tightening?
Pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause all cause changes to your estrogen and progesterone levels.
When these levels shift, your vaginal tissue also changes, says Dr. Dean Elterman, a urologic surgeon and professor at the University of Toronto.
Vaginal tightening, also called vaginal rejuvenation, can help fight off some of the vaginal issues that come from hormone changes. Some of the common concerns include:
- Looseness of the vaginal canal
- Vaginal dryness
- Pain during sex
- Lack of sensation during sex
- Leaking or having trouble holding in urine
There are many different vaginal tightening procedures you can try, but some are less researched and more risky than others.
Myths about vaginal tightening
"There are many products on the market now that claim to tighten the vagina," Elterman says. Some of these include:
- Tightening gels and creams
- Herbal remedies like mint and citrus
- At-home versions of laser devices
- Vaginal tightening "wands" made from ground pearls and plant extracts
- Electromagnetic energy devices
- Hyaluronic acid injection
- Platelet-rich plasma injection
- Silicone thread treatments
"The concern with some treatments is that they are not rigorously tested," Elterman says. Because there is little to no research on these treatments, there may be serious risks that we aren't yet aware of.
Putting gels or herbs inside your vagina may be especially risky, as they may disrupt the natural pH of your vagina. When your vaginal pH is thrown off, it's easier for bacteria and other infections to grow.
At-home laser or electromagnetic devices work by heating your vaginal tissue, so you carry the risk of accidentally burning your vagina.
So far, there are no vaginal tightening devices that are FDA approved, says Dr. Felice Gersh, an OB-GYN and founder/director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine.
How to actually tighten your vagina
There are several treatments for vaginal tightening that are supported by research, but many of them carry their own risks.
1. Laser and radiofrequency tightening
Some plastic surgeons can perform lasers and radiofrequency treatments meant to tighten your vagina.
Both these procedures use heat to stimulate collagen production in your vaginal tissue, which can tighten up loose skin and connective tissue.
"The risks generally are of tissue burns and scarring," Gersh says, adding that, "some patients have developed chronic pain."
A 2021 review looked at 59 studies on laser or radiofrequency tightening procedures. The review found that both methods are effective for vaginal tightening and come with relatively low levels of risk.
However, most of the studies were very small, meaning they may be less reliable than larger studies.
Also, many of the studies didn't have a comparison control group who didn't get any treatment — without a control group, it's easier for a study to be influenced by researcher bias and the placebo effect, Elterman says.
Additionally, most of the studies lasted only a short time — "there may be some benefits, but whether they will be long term, remains unknown," Gersh says.
2. Kegels
Kegels are a type of exercise you can do at home to strengthen the muscles inside your vagina and your pelvic floor muscles, Elterman says.
Kegels are the safest way to tighten your vagina and don't carry any major risks.
But if you're just starting out with kegels, "I recommend seeing a registered pelvic floor physiotherapist rather than self-directed exercises to ensure you are doing them correctly," Elterman says.
Though kegel exercises are safer than other treatment options, they may also be less effective.
"Kegel exercises do not change the basic problem underlying a "loose" vagina, which is due to torn or frayed fascial tissue," Gersh says.
However, Kegels are worth trying before you opt for surgery, Gersh says. Even if they don't tighten the vagina, Kegels can "give the vagina some additional strength and may help with sexual and bladder function," Gersh says.
3. Vaginoplasty
Vaginoplasty is a surgical procedure that can tighten the vagina by repairing damage to the fascia — the tissue that supports the structure of your vagina.
Vaginoplasty may also involve sewing vaginal muscles together to create more support and strength, Gersh says.
"It's quite invasive, has a significant recovery and carries the highest risk, as it is a surgery," Elterman says.
Gersh says that the risks of a vaginoplasty include:
- Complications from anesthesia
- Infections
- Blood loss
- Scarring
- Vaginal pain
The procedure itself can also go wrong — "occasionally the vagina can be over-tightened, resulting in sexual pain," Gersh says.
To minimize your risk of complications, "I would recommend seeing a gynecologist/urogynecologist/urologist who specializes in this surgery and has training specifically in the anatomy," Elterman says.
Insider's takeaway
"There are many challenges and unknowns involved with the devices now marketed for vaginal tightening," Gersh says. And we need more in-depth and long-term studies to determine how harmful they may be.
However, there are proven treatments like vaginoplasty that actually work to tighten your vagina, though they carry their own risks.
Seeing a doctor can help you decide what the best option is for you. "If you feel you have vaginal laxity and it bothers you, don't be shy to get a consultation from a specialist," Elterman says.