Vaginoplasty and Relationship Dynamics: Postoperative Satisfaction in Female Patients and Their Male Partners.

BACKGROUND

Vaginal laxity negatively affects sexual satisfaction and psychological well-being. Vaginoplasty is increasingly performed to address these issues in both women and their partners.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of vaginal laxity (VL) on postoperative sexual satisfaction, sexual function, and psychological well-being of women who underwent vaginoplasty and their male partners.

METHODS

One hundred and sixty-two women who underwent vaginoplasty between 2021 and 2024 and their spouses were included in the study. Turkish questionnaires with proven validity and reliability were administered preoperatively and postoperatively. FSFI, SQoL-F, FGSIS, QSES, FSDS-R, NSSS, BDI, and STAI-I/II questionnaires were administered to women; MSHQ-EjD, GRISS, and NSSS questionnaires were administered to male partners.

RESULTS

Significant improvements were found in sexual function (FSFI total score, P < .001), genital body perception (FGSIS, P < .001), sexual quality of life (SQoL-F, P < .001), and anxiety levels (STAI-I/II, P < .001) in women. In male partners, ejaculation function (MSHQ-EjD, P < .001) and sexual satisfaction (NSSS, P < .001) increased, while a significant decrease was observed in GRISS scores. The increase in NSSS in male partners was statistically higher than in female partners (P = .034). In addition, a significant decrease in vaginal width was found in the postoperative period (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Vaginoplasty surgery appears to provide significant gains not only anatomically but also psychosexually in both male and female individuals. The fact that the increase in sexual satisfaction level is more pronounced especially in male partners emphasizes the positive effect of this surgical intervention on couple dynamics.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 (THERAPEUTIC): For image description, please refer to the figure legend and surrounding text.