Vaginal and anal skin tags are much more common than you might think. Any form of skin tag can be irritating and uncomfortable. However, this is increased when they are in sensitive areas. For most gynaecologists, removing vaginal and anal skin tags is a common procedure they complete weekly. Yet they still aren’t spoken about a whole lot within society; today, we’re looking into vaginal skin tags and their causes.
What are vaginal skin tags and anal skin tags? And what causes them?
Skin tags are benign skin that grows around the vagina and anus. These are caused by various reasons; however, vaginal skin tag causes usually come from pregnancy. For those who have had haemorrhoids previously or have been constipated, you’ll be more susceptible.
Although skin tags are completely harmless, they can become uncomfortable and itchy. This interrupts day-to-day life and, for some, causes a lack of confidence and negatively impacts sexual relationships. Depending on the severity of vaginal and anal skin tags, some will eventually go away on their own; however, for the ones that don’t, treatment is available.
Treatment options
The great positive about vaginal and anal skin tags is that they are treatable. It is recommended that any home remedies are avoided as these usually irritate the area, making them worse. All treatments should be completed by a certified gynaecologist or doctor.
For those who are looking to have vaginal and anal skin tags removed, it is important to know that the process and, more so, the recovery can be quite painful. Vaginal and anal skin tags are removed through various methods depending on each patient’s severity and needs. These are cryosurgery, excision or cauterisation. Listed below is a detailed explanation of each of the different processes.
- Cryosurgery: This is when electricity is used to burn the tags off.
- Excision: A scalpel or sharp tool is used to cut the tags off.
- Cryotherapy: This is when extremely cold gas, also known as liquid nitrogen, is used to freeze the tag.
Patients are given local anaesthetic prior to the procedure. Depending on preference and recommendation by your gynaecologist, patients can either choose to have the procedure completed in a clinic or be put under anaesthesia. Patients are also recommended to take laxatives on the days leading up to the procedure. This can help to maintain a level of comfort after the procedure.
Recovery
The recovery process from having anal and vaginal skin tags removed is one that’s quite painful and requires at least a week, if not two, of downtime. Exercise should be avoided completely for at least a week after the process. Once the removal process is completed, patients are able to go home on the day off. Patients should be expected to experience some swelling and redness for around two days, with the full results showing within two to four weeks.
How to find the right surgeon for you
When dealing with an intimate area, finding the right surgeon is crucial. It’s important that whoever you go to listens to your concerns and addresses each one of them. As much as this is a common procedure, it’s one that can be quite painful, so finding someone who makes you feel comfortable and relaxed is key to making the process smooth.
Final Thoughts
As much as the procedure is common, most women can feel insecure about having it done when really it should be the opposite. Unfortunately, anal and vaginal skin tags are an occasional result after pregnancy. Although they aren’t pleasant, they are treatable and can be dealt with to ensure you regain comfort and confidence.