Perineoplasty in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is perineoplasty?
Perineoplasty is a surgical repair of the perineum. The perineum looks like a small bridge of skin, but underneath it sits the perineal body, a firm knot of tissue where several pelvic floor muscles meet and anchor. That anchor point supports the entrance to the vagina and the back passage, which is why a stretched or torn perineum can change how the whole area feels.
During a vaginal birth the perineum stretches a great deal, and it may tear or be cut in a controlled way (an episiotomy) to make room for the baby. Most tears are stitched straight after delivery and heal well. Sometimes the healed area leaves a tight, tender band of scar, a small skin tag, or muscle edges that have drifted apart so the vaginal entrance sits wider and lower than before. Perineoplasty removes the scarred tissue and brings the muscle layers of the perineal body back together.
The operation concentrates on the vaginal entrance and the perineum itself. Tightening further up inside the vaginal canal is a separate procedure, described on the vaginoplasty page, and the two are sometimes planned together. At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, perineoplasty is carried out in-house by the gynaecology and obstetrics team.
Who needs it
Perineoplasty suits women whose perineum has healed in a way that causes a problem they want treated. Common reasons include:
- a painful or tight episiotomy or tear scar, felt when sitting or during intercourse
- a gaping vaginal entrance, a sensation of looseness at the opening, or air entering the vagina
- a raised skin tag or uneven scar that rubs on underwear
- a perineum that looks and feels different after childbirth, where the woman wants its shape and support rebuilt
The first step is a gynaecological examination to see which layers are involved. For many women the starting point is pelvic floor therapy, because exercises and guided muscle training strengthen the muscles around the entrance, and scar massage softens a tender scar. Perineoplasty comes into the discussion when the muscle edges have separated, when the scar itself is the source of discomfort, or when training has already been given a fair trial.
Timing matters. The perineum keeps remodelling for months after a birth, so the gynaecologist usually waits until healing is complete and breastfeeding has settled. Your plans for future pregnancies are part of the decision too, and the doctor talks this through with you.
What happens
Perineoplasty is done in an operating theatre, under general anaesthesia or a spinal anaesthetic that numbs you from the waist down. The anaesthetist agrees the choice with you beforehand. You lie on your back with your legs supported, as for a gynaecological examination.
The gynaecologist marks a small diamond or triangle of skin over the scarred area. That skin is removed, the separated muscle edges underneath are identified, and they are stitched back together in layers to rebuild the perineal body. The vaginal lining and the skin are then closed with dissolving stitches, so there are no stitches to take out later. A local anaesthetic is usually placed in the wound to keep you comfortable as you wake.
Perineoplasty is often a day case or involves a short overnight stay. You go home once you have passed urine, are eating and drinking, and your pain is settled on tablets.
Preparing for it
A consultation and examination come first, then a pre-operative assessment with blood tests and an anaesthetic review. Tell the team about every medicine you take, especially blood thinners and diabetes medicines, and you receive fasting instructions for the day of surgery. A cervical screening test is brought up to date if one is due.
Plan the operation for a time between periods where possible. Stopping smoking helps the wound heal. Buy soft cotton underwear, sanitary pads and a firm cushion to sit on, and arrange help with young children and lifting for the first week or so. If you would like surgery around Ramadan, mention it early so fasting, fluids and your recovery can be planned together.
Afterwards
Swelling and soreness around the entrance are expected for the first days, and a small amount of blood-stained discharge is normal. Rinse the area with plain water after using the toilet and pat it dry; a hand-held shower or jug makes this easier. Sitting on a cushion and lying on your side help while the stitches settle.
Keeping your stools soft protects the repair, so drink plenty of water, eat fruit, vegetables and fibre, and follow the bowel advice the team gives you. In the Sharjah heat, loose breathable clothing keeps the wound cool and dry. The gynaecologist sees you at a follow-up visit and tells you when you can return to exercise, intercourse and tampon use; desk work usually resumes before work that involves long hours standing or lifting.
Contact the hospital urgently if the wound becomes increasingly painful, red or swollen, if it leaks pus or smells unpleasant, or if you develop a fever. **Go to the emergency department straight away if you have heavy bleeding, soaking a pad within an hour, or you are unable to pass urine.**
Cost and insurance
Perineoplasty done for appearance is usually self-pay. Where it repairs a childbirth injury that causes symptoms, such as a painful scar or separated muscle, insurance may cover it with pre-approval, supported by the gynaecologist's examination findings. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you check your cover and start any approval on 06 599 7777.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the risks of perineoplasty?
Perineoplasty carries the risks of any small operation, including bleeding, infection, a reaction to the anaesthetic and a wound that opens partly as it heals. Scar tissue can form again, and if the entrance is made too narrow, intercourse may be uncomfortable and a further procedure may be needed. Your gynaecologist explains how these risks apply to you before you decide.
Can I have a baby after perineoplasty?
You can have a baby after perineoplasty, although a later vaginal birth may stretch or tear the repaired area again. Many women therefore wait until their family is complete. If you become pregnant after the operation, tell your obstetrician so the birth plan takes the repair into account.
How long after giving birth can I have perineoplasty?
Perineoplasty is usually planned once the perineum has fully healed after birth, which takes several months, and often after breastfeeding has finished. Your gynaecologist examines the area and advises on timing that suits your recovery and your plans.
Is perineoplasty the same as vaginoplasty?
Perineoplasty and vaginoplasty are different operations. Perineoplasty repairs the perineum and the vaginal entrance, while vaginoplasty tightens the muscles and lining of the vaginal canal further inside. The two can be combined when both areas are involved.
Is perineoplasty painful?
Perineoplasty is done under anaesthesia, so you feel nothing during the operation. Soreness afterwards is expected for the first days and is managed with pain relief, a cushion for sitting and careful hygiene.
Can pelvic floor exercises help instead of surgery?
Pelvic floor exercises strengthen the muscles around the vaginal entrance and are often tried first. They improve muscle tone, but they cannot rejoin muscle edges that have separated or remove a painful scar, which is when perineoplasty is considered.
Who performs perineoplasty at Dar Al Kamal Hospital?
Perineoplasty at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah is performed in-house by the gynaecology and obstetrics team. You meet your gynaecologist at a consultation before any decision is made.
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