Labiaplasty
Every woman’s anatomy has slight variations,
and this is entirely normal. However, if certain features are causing you discomfort (either physically or emotionally), a surgical procedure may be available to help. This is often the case for women who have excess tissue within the labia minora, or the “ruffled edge” outside the vagina.
Labiaplasty is a surgery which can be performed to reduce the size of the labia minora by removing the excess tissue and is the treatment for labial hypertrophy. When a woman has an overly large labia minora (particularly if it extends beyond the labia majora, or “outer lips” of the genital area), this is often called hypertrophy of the labia. This can make certain activities and even wearing many types of clothing uncomfortable due to the high friction on the sensitive area. It can also make women self-conscious when they wear certain tight-fitting clothing, like bathing suits, especially if the labia are asymmetrical.
Next Steps
If you experience discomfort due to the size or shape of your labia minora, request an appointment with one of our board-certified gynecologists at Gynecology Associates of Gwinnett to discuss whether labiaplasty may be able to improve your day-to-day comfort and quality of life. During your consultation, we will discuss your specific concerns, examine your options, and begin evaluating your health to ensure that you are healthy enough for the surgery. Depending on the details of your case, there are several different ways a labiaplasty can be performed.
The tissue may be removed along a linear area,
in a wedge shape along the lower edge, or as a central excision to preserve the natural free edge. Our licensed and experienced providers can perform labiaplasty in our comfortable and well-appointed office or in the operating room, depending on your needs.
Labiaplasty FAQs
Your labiaplasty recovery will depend on a number of factors, from the details of your procedure to your body’s unique healing process. The procedure is usually performed at the hospital, and most patients can return to work or most of their other daily activities after five to seven days. However, it will take more healing time before you can resume strenuous exercise as well as sexual intercourse.
The medical community isn’t entirely sure what causes hypertrophy of the labia. It appears to be a natural variation of anatomy for some women due to genetics and/or hormones, but it also appears that the labia can be enlarged due to childbirth, aging, and irritation due to bicycling, sexual activity, genital piercing, horseback riding, and other activities.
