The Effect of Infrared Light on Perineal Trauma
Perineal trauma can occur during childbirth. It can be painful and can take quite some time to heal. Infrared light can be used as part of the recovery process. If the trauma refuses to heal or causes a loss of elasticity, a form of treatment may be decided on. Vaginoplasty, a plastic surgery treatment, may also use infrared light therapy.
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Perineal Trauma
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Perineal trauma refers to any injury to the genitals that occurs during childbirth. It can occur as a result of the childbirth itself or may be done intentionally by the physician who is present at the birth to make the birth easier. Injury can occur to the labia, the clitoris, the anterior vagina, posterior vaginal wall, sphincter, perineal muscles and the urethra. First degree trauma are tears to the skin only. Second degree tears are tears to the skin and muscle. Third degree tears also tear the sphincter. Fourth degree tears can tear past the sphincter.
Treatment
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Perineal trauma is common and is usually easily treated by stitching the tear. Pain usually lasts for only 10 to 12 days after birth, though it can sometimes last for months. Your doctor may recommend the use of infrared light therapy to speed up the healing process and attempt to lessen the pain it can cause.
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Infrared Light Therapy
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Infrared light may be used to penetrate cells in the perineal area and heat them. This is thought to cause the cells to release their toxins in the sweat and assist in the healing process, which can help to ease pain and shorten the period during which pain is felt in the healing area. Infrared light lasers can also be used to reduce the appearance of scars by killing the cells in the skin, causing the healing process to restart and reduce the scar.
Vaginoplasty
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A vaginoplasty may be decided on if perineal trauma has caused incontinence, or have caused the vaginal muscles to stretch. During a vaginoplasty, any excess skin and tissue around the vagina is removed, and a focused laser of infrared light to heat collagen in the skin and vaginal tissue, causing the skin to contract and tighten.
Considerations
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No treatments or surgeries should be decided on without serious consultation with your doctor. Also, health insurance does not usually cover operations of a cosmetic nature, which a vaginoplasty may sometimes be considered as. Check with your insurance provider before undergoing any procedure.
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References
- Photo Credit mother and baby image by Andrii Oleksiienko from Fotolia.com
