Labiaplasty

What is labiaplasty?

The labia minora is part of a woman’s genitalia. Surgical reshaping of the labia minor is called labiaplasty. This procedure is also known as labia reduction, inner lip reduction, labia minora reduction, nymphoplasty, and vaginal rejuvenation. Labiaplasty is a popular choice for women looking to enhance their quality of life. 

Abnormalities of the labia minora can arise from injury, childbirth, or illness and are effectively managed with labiaplasty. Most women interested in labiaplasty seek to simply improve the aesthetic appearance of this intimate and private part of the body. 

Enlarged and abnormally shaped labia minora can dramatically interfere with daily functional activities. Exercise and walking can be unpleasant secondary to the friction of the abnormal labia with clothing. Sexual intercourse is often painful. Many affected women have difficulty engaging in intimate relationships due to the emotional distress arising from their genital appearance.

Fortunately, the reduction of the labia minora is a straightforward safe surgical procedure. Treated women have reported a high degree of satisfaction. 

Labiaplasty Procedure

The operation is typically performed on ambulatory patients as an outpatient procedure. Local anesthesia is used to perform a labiaplasty procedure. Patients are comfortably awake and alert during the procedure. The entire duration of the surgical procedure is usually completed in under 90 minutes.

Surgical techniques are designed to remove redundant genital tissues. Wedge resection of the labia minora is the surgical technique with the highest reported satisfaction outcomes among treated patients.   

Adjacent intimate structures such as the clitoral hood, vaginal vault, labia majora, and mons pubis are not anatomically part of the labia minora. Surgical treatment of these adjacent structures can be performed conjointly with labia minora reduction to enhance the aesthetic outcome. 

Outcome

Mild discomfort and swelling are expected after surgery. These symptoms soon subside. Most patients are able to perform many of their routine daily duties. However, full recovery and a return to normal sexual relations usually require 4 to 6 weeks.