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Chapter 35 - Pelvic Physical Therapy for Gender-affirming Genital Vaginoplasty

from Section G - Screening and Prophylaxis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 December 2022

By
Sandra Gallagher ,
Caitlin Smigelski ,
Rixt AC Luikenaar  and
Daniel Dugi
Edited by
Mick van Trotsenburg ,
Rixt A. C. Luikenaar  and
Maria Cristina Meriggiola
Mick van Trotsenburg
Affiliation:
Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversität, Wien
Rixt A. C. Luikenaar
Affiliation:
Rebirth Health Center, Utah
Maria Cristina Meriggiola
Affiliation:
Università di Bologna
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Summary

Vaginoplasty has an anatomic impact on the pelvic floor and can affect organ support, urinary and bowel function, as well as sexual function. This chapter outlines the improvement of pelvic floor functioning regarding the creation of a neovagina and the functional impact of pelvic floor physical therapy. Pelvic floor physical therapists play an important role in pre- and postoperative care around vaginoplasty, dilation and positioning, pelvic relaxation, and wound healing. Pelvic floor physical therapists should be an integral part of the surgical team.

Type
Chapter
Information
Context, Principles and Practice of TransGynecology
Managing Transgender Patients in ObGyn Practice
 , pp. 261 - 266
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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