A Doctor Weighs in on All Those Vagina-Tightening Products Out There

Do they actually work?

Let's make one thing clear: Vaginas come in a range of shapes, sizes, and colors, and one variety isn't better than any other. They're all pretty freaking amazing, and they can do some incredible stuff! However, if—for whatever reason—you find yourself wishing things were a little tighter down there, you might be wondering if there's anything you can do beyond kegels to help. So we spoke to a doctor to find out.

Vaginal Tightening Creams
A lot of OTC products that claim to tighten your vagina use ingredients that dry out the skin down there and make it feel tighter—but your gynecologist might not give it a thumbs up, says Alyssa Dweck, M.D., a gynecologist based in Westchester, New York. "I don't think products like these have been tested enough to know if they really work, and they might have a lot of chemicals that aren't great for your body." That being said, she says that it can't really hurt to try it—there's just no way to know if it's effective.
The verdict: Try them at your own risk.

RELATED: Does ‘Vagina Weightlifting’ Actually Get the Job Done?

Physical Therapy
The goal of most physical therapy to improve vaginal tightness is to teach women how to do kegels, says Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., clinical professor of ob-gyn at Yale School of Medicine. "Some women don't know how to use their muscles to do pelvic floor exercises," she says. Obviously, we know that kegel exercises definitely strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, but physical therapy sessions that also emphasize strengthening your core can also have an impact—albeit a small one. "Any time you strengthen your core, you're improving the strength of your pelvic floor," says Minkin.
The verdict: If you don't know how to do a kegel, this is for you.

RELATED: Exactly How to Use Kegels to Make Your Orgasms Stronger

Lasers
There are some lasers made for intra-vaginal use that emit low doses of carbon dioxide to help stimulate collagen growth. Unfortunately, they're typically used to reduce vaginal pain and dryness—not to change the size of the vagina, says Dweck. However, there is a device coming down the pike called Viveve that uses electrical pulses to tighten things up down there—but we'll have to wait until it's available in the U.S. to know more, she says.
The verdict: Skip it for now.

The bottom line: Unless you're willing to experiment with some creams that are potentially snake oil or wait for a futuristic laser, your best bet is to have a solid adult conversation with your partner about new ways to keep your sex life hot as both of your bodies change over time. (Hint: Here are 4 ways to make his penis feel bigger.)

Other than that, you can also utilize kegels, the trusty pelvic floor strengthener we know and love (if you're not sure you're doing it right, ask your gyno to put you in touch with a physical therapist).