We Get Letters…
- “Please explain the function of the Vagus nerve as it relates to orgasm (aka vaginal or vaginally-activated orgasm).
- “What is a CO2 non-ablative vaginal laser (Femilift™; Mona Lisa Touch™), and what does it accomplish?”
- “Can you describe what a Labiaplasty surgery accomplishes, both before and after?”
- “Can you describe the Hymenoplasty procedure?”
Please explain the function of the vagus nerve as it relates to orgasm.
Two separate types of female orgasm have been described: Clitoral and Vaginal or Vaginally-Activated orgasm. Clitoral orgasm is an orgasm that arises from manipulation and stimulation of the clitoral area. It is mediated via fibers of the clitoral nerve, which a branch of the pudendal nerve and part of the skeletal nervous system under conscious control. The feeling of a clitoral orgasm has been described as “electric,” spreading from the clitoris locally and outwardly.
The vagus nerve exits the spinal column high up in the region of the neck. It is one of the longest nerves of the body, and part of the “autonomic nervous system” It courses down the length of the torso and has many branches, including one in the area of the pelvis which is called the hypogastric plexus. The hypogastric plexus richly innervates several areas in the pelvis, including the G-spot.
Our bodies have two types of nerves, and the two are essentially two different nervous systems: Skeletal nerves (including the clitoral nerve) are under conscious control, while autonomic, or automatic nerves are not under conscious control. These are the nerves responsible for duties such as letting us know that our bladder is full, propelling intestinal contents through the bowels, regulating the heartbeat and — in the pelvis — innervating the root of the clitoris as well as the area commonly referred to as the “G-Spot. It also provides fibers to the vagina. The combination of physical stretching of the hypogastric fibers from the vagus nerve and psychogenic sexual factors also transmitted through this automatic system can combine to elicit a vaginal response known as a vaginal orgasm — a deep throbbing, that involves the uterus and other areas deep in the pelvis, including the deep vaginal wall and cervix, which are also innervated by branches of the vagus.
**Please refer to three other blogs in this area: “Women’s Needs Blogs, Sexual Medicine” at https://www.drmichaelgoodman.com) from past years (1. “Evolutionary Biology, Large Penises, and Vaginal Tightening Surgery;” 2. “Do Sex Researchers Really Have This Much Fun?” and 3. “Vaginal Tightening Surgery (and Orgasms), Part II”), which describe orgasmic function in greater detail.
What is a CO2 non-ablative vaginal laser, and what does it accomplish?
The word laser is an acronym that stands for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Simply stated, a laser is a man-made device that generates an intense beam of light. A CO2 laser consists of a gas (CO2) that is excited by energy. It can be electrical, chemical, a flash lamp, or another laser. The process produces photons (energy) of laser light that can be manipulated (i.e. focused; defocused; pixilated) into specific patterns. A CO2 non-ablative vaginal laser generates laser energy into a pixilated pattern which may be concentrated or de-focused into different patterns and penetration for the purposes of resurfacing skin, tightening skin, and depigmenting or bleaching areas of skin. As such, this energy may be utilized to resurface superficial skin damage to the face or other areas; to resurface scars (and to a lesser extent, stretch marks); to resurface and tighten the labia majors; and to lighten darker areas around a woman’s vulva and perianal regions. Ablation means destruction; the medical term “ablate” means cut out/destroy/remove tissue. A non-ablative laser treatment does not destroy —instead, it modifies and resurfaces.
A non-ablative vaginal laser is used for the purposes of resurfacing inside the vagina. This can mean non-surgical modification of the vaginal skin to rejuvenate the tissue and enable it to be more resilient and to stretch better, or it can mean making it stronger and better able to support the bladder-base for relief of mild urinary incontinence. It can also be used to increase the vagina’s resilience and tension in order to modestly increase vaginal tone and tightness. For the outer lips – the labia majora – this can mean resurfacing roughened, big-pored skin and shrinkage of redundancy. For coloration of the vulva and/or perianal areas (which for some women is unpleasantly dark), this can mean actual lightening of the skin color.
Our office uses Alma Laser’s Fractional Pixilated CO2 non-ablative laser platform. Lasers aren’t only for the face!!
Can you describe what a Labiaplasty surgery accomplishes,
both before and after?
Labiaplasty is the elective reduction of generous or robust-sized labia minora, or inner vulvar lips. Labiaplasty may also be used to describe reduction of redundant outer lips, the labia majora. A skillfully-performed labial reduction, or Labiaplasty (with or without reduction of possibly redundant and enlarged clitoral hood tissue) accomplishes aesthetic reduction and reconstruction of new, aesthetically-appealing, smaller, and less “in-the-way” labia minora, with acceptable down time and relatively pain-free recovery. It is performed in-office under safe and efficient local anesthesia.
To understand the significance this procedure has had for others, read Patients’ own stories. To view MANY labiaplasty before-and-after pictures, click here.
Can you describe the Hymenoplasty procedure?
A Hymenoplasty, or Hymenal repair, is a minor surgical procedure designed to repair and reconstruct rents or tears in the hymenal membrane stemming from initial intercourse-related sexual intimacy, and is designed to bring the hymenal ring (or hymen) to a pre-intercourse state of tightness and tension. Having this procedure makes it probable that subsequent intercourse will provide a “tight fit” and will likely be accompanied by further tearing of the hymen and the loss of a small amount of blood.
Hymenoplasty may be performed using a variety of different surgical techniques. All are designed to produce bleeding upon consummation of marriage. This procedure is frequently sought by Islamic women who are about to engage in a traditional marriage. In many religious cultures,failure to feel tight and to experience bleeding on the wedding night can invite problems and significant harassment from the bridegroom and his family. At times, a “tight” hymen that bleeds upon consummation is a cultural imperative!
The procedure itself may be performed under a spinal or general anesthetic or in the privacy of a cosmetic gynecologist or plastic surgeon’s office under a local anesthetic. The procedure utilizes new and effective retractor systems which allow excellent visibility and accessibility. Technically, the underlying tissue at the opening is tightened in one or two locations, or attachments, that are produced in multiple locations – these are strategically chosen and designed to produce the intended results. Unfortunately, it is impossible to simply make tiny incisions and put the hymenal edges together with fine sutures because hymenal tissue is so fragile that normal walking movements would pull the new sutures free. Hymenoplasty is not a procedure that is well advertised, and it is virtually impossible to obtain accurate results or feedback on the success or to monitor the results of the procedure due to ethical and patient privacy issues.