What is Labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure to alter the shape and size of the labia minora. Labia minora are the inner “lips” of the vulva, a woman’s external genitals. Labiaplasty is the removal of excess tissue from enlarged labia minora to make them symmetrical with the labia majora, which are the outer lips of the vulva.
There are many reasons why a woman might consider getting a Labiaplasty:
- Physical discomfort: Enlarged and protruding labia minora can cause irritation because of skin rubbing together with movement. Persistent irritation can make the skin raw, leading to hygiene issues and infections.
- Difficulty wearing certain clothing: Unusually large labia minora can make it uncomfortable to wear certain types of clothing such as bathing suits, tight jeans, or workout clothes. They can also create a visible bulge, which may prevent some women from wearing such form-fitting clothes.
- Difficulty with physical activities: Enlarged labia can get tender and prevent a woman from participating in certain activities. For instance, the labia can get sore rubbing against the seat while riding a bike, or protruding labia can make hiking and running difficult.
- Sexual reasons: Protruding labia minora may impact a woman’s sexual life. It may interfere with sexual intercourse, cause pain or affect the ability to reach orgasm. It may also make a woman self-conscious and affect her ability to enjoy intimacy with her partner.
- Psychological impact: Distress over the appearance of the vulva, inability to freely participate in all physical activities and wear any clothes that she wants to, can affect self-confidence and lower self-esteem in a woman. It can have an emotional impact and affect intimate relationships.