Can vaginal laxity be measured objectively by doctors?
Doctors can assess vaginal laxity through clinical examination and specialised tools, but objective measurement is still evolving. Most diagnoses rely on a combination of patient-reported symptoms and expert assessment.
Detailed Medical Explanation
Vaginal laxity is typically evaluated using a structured pelvic examination, which may include the use of the POP-Q system (Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification) to assess support and tissue strength. Devices such as perineometers and vaginal manometry can provide quantitative measures of pelvic floor muscle strength and tone. However, no single objective gold standard exists, and measurement techniques are an area of ongoing research (RCOG PDF). The diagnosis remains largely based on patient-reported symptoms and clinical experience.
Clinical Context
Assessment is usually conducted by a gynaecologist or pelvic floor specialist, especially for women with distressing symptoms. A detailed history, physical examination, and sometimes imaging or functional testing are used for comprehensive evaluation.