There are a few reasons for undergoing a labiaplasty procedure, but most of them involve aesthetics as opposed to medical necessity:
Dissatisfaction with the labia’s appearance: This is the number-one reason women tend to have labiaplasty done. They might experience embarrassment or lack of confidence in how their labia look, especially during sex. In many women, the labia minora hang lower—which is completely normal!—but doesn’t match the very narrow beauty standards women see in media, Dr. Sadove says.
Discomfort with long labia: Having larger or longer labia could actually cause functional problems for some patients. This could include discomfort riding a bike or wearing underwear or a thong, or excess moisture coming from the vagina.
Pain during sex: Dissatisfaction with the appearance of the labia may affect a patient’s confidence in the bedroom—but having enlarged or longer labia could also get in the way during sex, potentially causing a painful, or at the very least, uncomfortable experience. “Just by reducing the size of the labia, sexual function might be improved, if anything, because you’re not as worried about the tissue getting pulled or stretched during intercourse,” Dr. Sadove says.
Cancers or pre-cancerous conditions: One medical reason for a labia reconstruction might involve having to remove part of the labia that contains cancer cells in the vaginal area. “Cancers or pre-cancerous conditions that can grow there might require excisions,” Dr. Sadove says.
What are the risks of labiaplasty?
Like any medical procedure, labiaplasty doesn’t come 100 percent risk-free. Possible complications include wound separation and scarring. Some researchers have also raised concerns about possible loss of sexual sensation as a result of labiaplasty, as well as an increased risk of trauma to the perineal area during vaginal delivery, though all of these risks need to be researched further.
What are the steps of a labiaplasty procedure?
Getting labiaplasty starts with a consultation with a plastic surgeon. This is a discussion of what the problem with the vulva is, pre-operation. The doctor has to see the same issue that the patient sees with their labia, says Dr. Sadove. If there isn’t a good surgical solution, which would involve shortening or reconstructing the labia, then the surgeon won’t recommend surgery to the patient, Dr. Sadove notes.
The procedure itself is always surgical, but it can be done in-office, under local anesthesia in a clinic, or can be done under general anesthesia in a hospital, Dr. Sadove says. During the operation, the labiaplasty surgeon will reduce the size and length of the labia minora, and make a stitch line. It takes some time to heal, so she recommends two to three weeks of resting and icing the area, and keeping it clean.
“We also recommend that patients avoid activities that will traumatize or stretch out the stitch line for about six weeks to three months,” Dr. Sadove says (so it might involve getting creative with your typical sexual activity).
Patients tend to agree that the surgery goes quickly (it typically only takes about an hour), but the healing process is long. “Post operation was extremely painful, as I expected. I took a lot of pain medicine and avoiding being on my feet at all costs for at least a week. It hurt badly when I walked for about seven days, and I felt a burning pain which was worse during urination,” wrote one patient in a review of her experience with the procedure at North Florida Labiaplasty. “You should make sure you have at least a week off if you plan on getting this done. However, this procedure was well worth the pain.”
