Vaginal Rejuvenation Surgery (VRS) is a procedure which can tighten stretched vaginal tissue as the result of childbirth, trauma, large sexual partners or family history. The procedure not only reduces the diameter of the vagina but also tones vaginal muscles resulting in greater contraction strength and control and may increase sensation, pleasure and intensity of orgasm for both partners.

VRS predominantly modifies the outer 1/3 of the vagina and the labia minor. This modification can be performed using traditional methods as well as lasers. It is considered outpatient minor surgery with a minimal amount of associated pain and a quick recovery time.

Virginal Restoration (VR) is regarded as the "platinum level" of vaginal restoration surgery. It provides the most extensive modification currently available regarding vaginal rejuvenation surgery. Unlike VRS which represents a simple modification of the vulva and vagina using either scapels or lasers, Virginal Restoration involves the modification of the vagina up to the level of the posterior cul-de-sac or the full length of the vagina with an incorporation of the pelvic muscles on the posterior side of the vagina as well as the modification of the vulva.

It includes five operations described in the medical literature as:

1. anterior colporrhapy
2. posterior colporrhapy
3. labioplasty
4. perineorraphy and
5. overlapping sphincteroplasty.

The modification is dramatic, with a reduction in vaginal relaxation from greater than an 8cm diameter down to only 1.5cm. Further the external genitalia (vulva) can be reduced in size by up to 50%.

There are downsides to this surgery. Unlike simple vaginal modification, Virginal Restoration (VR) can be extremely uncomfortable for the first few days thus requiring an in-patient stay. The duration of pain can be up to 6 weeks.

The upsides to this surgery are incredible. As stated in its description, Virginal Restoration will return the size of the vagina to a true virginal size with all of its associated benefits and rewards. The feelings and sexual responses have been described as much more intense than simple vaginal modification. This is why it is regarded as the "platinum level" of vaginal rejuvenation surgery. It is important to understand that despite many claims by surgeons that they can rejuvenate the vagina, Virginal Restoration has been mastered by an elite few in the field of gynecology and pelvic reconstructive surgery.

Hymenoplasty or Hymenorraphy refers to the surgical repair or recreation of the hymen. The hymen is a small piece of tissue that is located in the lower 1/3 of the vagina and covers the vaginal opening. The presence of an intact hymen has often been considered the absolute representation of virginity.

Although it is true that the hymen is most often ruptured or damaged during sexual intercourse, the hymen can be damaged or broken through other activities other than sexual intercourse, such as, due to an accidental fall or the insertion of objects such as tampons. In the case of children, the hymen can be damaged from the insertion of small toys or from riding a bike or horseback riding. However, despite these non-sexual reasons, most people in the general population would agree that finding a damaged or broken hymen in a woman places serious doubts as to her virginity. In some cases, due to ethnical, cultural or religious reasons, the absence of the hymen are grounds for punishment or even death.

The hymenoplasty procedure is usually performed using local anesthetic and requires the removal of the superficial layer of tissue surrounding the remaining portion of the hymen and a re-approximation of this tissue using absorbable sutures. In cases where the hymen as been completely destroyed, such as, after a vaginal delivery of a child, a portion of the vaginal wall can be excised and used to cover the opening. This tissue will be torn during the next sexual intercourse producing the pain and bleeding commonly associated with the first intercourse.

Whereas hymenoplasty repairs the hymen or recreates the hymen in order to restore the appearance or illusion of virginity, Virginal Restoration is designed to restore the entire vagina to a virginal size following a history of sexual activity or after a vaginal delivery of a child. In the case of Virginal Restoration there is no doubt that sexual activity has previously occurred. Virginal Restoration simply fulfills the desire of the patient to restore her vagina to a virginal size.

An important difference between hymenoplasty and Virginal Restoration is that the hymenoplasty simply replaces a thin membrane of tissue covering the opening of the vagina, whereas Virginal Restoration, modifies and extensively narrows the vagina to a virginal size.

If a patient has previously had sexual relations, a hymenoplasty may not be enough to "prove" virginity, especially in cases where the vagina has been extensively relaxed through multiple acts of sexual intercourse or in cases of sexual intercourse with a partner who has a larger than average size penis.

Therefore, in terms of truly restoring the appearance of virginity, Virginal Restoration is superior to simple vaginal modification surgery and hymenoplasty.

Further, if it is the patient's desire to restore the size of the vagina to a virginal size, a hymenoplasty is not necessary since the patient will experience virginal-like pain and bleeding with the first few episodes of intercourse following Virginal Restoration.

Almost without question, both partners will experience the pleasure, pain and bleeding associated with a virginal intercourse. An experience that can be is infinitely more pleasurable than that experienced following a hymenoplasty.