Labiaplasty

Labiaplasty is an increasingly popular cosmetic surgery used by women for several reasons, including aesthetic reasons, pain in the genital area or to enhance sexual pleasure.

What is Labiaplasty?

Labiaplasty is simply a surgical treatment to trim and shape the lips of the vagina. The surgery may be used on the outer lips (labia majora), which is the part of the labia located outside the body or the inner lips (labia minora), which is the flap of skin covering the vagina and clitoris. It's also possible to treat both areas within the same surgery. The reasons behind the labia being enlarged, elongated or not symmetrical are varied. Common reasons include childbirth, genetic factors, sexual intercourse or as a result of aging.

Who is Labiaplasty for?

Women who opt for Labiaplasty include those whose elongated inner and/or outer vaginal lips cause pain or aren't found to be aesthetically pleasing. There are many ways in which an extended labia can cause pain; including during sexual intercourse, during exercise or simply from wearing tight clothes. Although Labiaplasty can remove the discomfort caused by an extended labia during sex, it can't be used to directly enhance sexual pleasure. But there's several other treatments such as Vaginal rejuvenation which can be used for this purpose.

The Labiaplasty procedure

Before you undergo surgery it's usually suggested that you stop smoking a few weeks before the procedure is due. This helps promote healing and can minimise the risk of unwanted complications. It's also recommended that you don't consume alcohol for at least a week before your procedure. If you're taking any medications it's best to consult your surgeon. But in the case of anti-inflammatory drugs, blood thinners and aspirin it's usually suggested that you stop taking these before surgery.

The surgery is usually performed under a local anesthetic and, in most cases, you're able to return home the same day. The surgery takes around two hours. In this time the surgeon will shorten any large or uneven inner lips using a scalpel, a laser or specialised scissors. The location of where the surgeon makes the incision will depend upon the size and texture of the labia. The incision is usually closed up with dissolvable stitches. If the outer lips require treatment this can be done using liposuction or surgery. A hoodectomy, which uncovers the clitoris in order to enhance sexual pleasure is often performed in conjunction with this procedure.

The recovery period

Following surgery it's usual for your genitals to be swollen and sore for a few weeks. You may also experience some slight bruising. You won't be able to have sex for around four weeks after the procedure and it's usually suggested that you avoid strenuous activities during this period. You won't be able to use any tampons for about two weeks afterward but you may need to wear a pad for around a week, to help with any bleeding that may occur. Over-the-counter medication should be sufficient to deal with any pain you experience following surgery and in some cases antibiotics are prescribed to help reduce the risk of infection.

What are the risks?

As with any surgery, Labiaplasty is not without risks. The most common risk is that of infection developing, this risk can be minimised by following any advice you're given on stopping smoking and certain medications before undergoing the procedure. Excessive bleeding can occur, and damage to nerves may cause permanent or temporary numbness or decreased sensation in the area. Another common problem is Hematomas, in which a blood vessel breaks causing fluid build ups or blood clots. Scar tissue may build up and the skin pay also crease or pucker in the treated area.