Labiaplasty surgery is becoming increasingly common, and with its popularity has come a lot of discussion about why women get this procedure and what its purpose is. Throughout the noise and discussion, it’s important to keep in mind that you’re allowed to make this decision for yourself and that any reason is valid for pursuing labiaplasty. Your first step should be consulting a knowledgeable cosmetic surgeon and making an informed decision about the risks involved. Here’s what to know about labiaplasty and how women can benefit from it.
What is Labiaplasty?
The female vulva is made up of a few different notable skin folds – the labia minora and the labia majora. The point of these areas is to protect the vaginal opening and clitoris. In some women, the inner folds can protrude past the labia majora, sometimes causing an unbalanced or uneven shape. Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and existing genital tissue from the labia minora, or the inner vaginal lips. The goal is to remove excess tissue and create labia that look and feel more comfortable. It can be a reconstructive surgery, in the case of women who experience changes with childbirth, or it can be a purely cosmetic procedure.
Why Do Women Get Labiaplasty?
There are many unique reasons why women get labiaplasty. Here are just a few.
Aesthetic Concerns
Some women simply want a different aesthetic from their labia, even if they’re not overly bothered by it. They may simply prefer a more “tucked” or symmetrical look and feel like a labiaplasty procedure would help them feel more confident. In short, “because I want to” is a perfectly valid reason to get a labiaplasty.
-
Self-Consciousness and Low Self-Esteem:
- Hypertrophy (excess tissue development) of the labia minora can lead to feelings of embarrassment and inadequacy, potentially impacting self-esteem and body image.
- Some women may feel self-conscious about the appearance of their genitalia, leading to psychological distress and affecting intimate relationships.
- Concerns about the appearance of the labia can cause significant emotional and psychological distress, particularly in adolescents who may feel very self-conscious if they need to change their clothes in front of peers.
-
Appearance Concerns:
- Women with enlarged labia may worry about a visible outline when wearing tight-fitting clothing like swimsuits or leggings.
- Comparing themselves to perceived societal standards of ideal labia, often depicted as light, thin, and symmetrical, can contribute to aesthetic concerns.
Damage from Childbirth
Childbirth can cause permanent changes in your body’s overall shape and composition. For some women, their labia changed substantially during the birthing process and didn’t heal as they wanted. Labiaplasty is sometimes included in a mommy makeover procedure for this reason.
Physical Discomfort
Large labia minora can cause physical discomfort during activities like exercise or sexual intercourse. They may get in the way or easily become caught when inserting menstrual products. Because the labia minora protrude past the labia majora, the sensitive skin can chafe on clothing. Elongated labia can even limit your ability to comfortably wear certain clothing items like bathing suits, leggings, or lingerie. Getting rid of the excess tissue and “tucking” the labia minora inside the labia majora can alleviate these issues.
Emotional Discomfort
Despite our best efforts, our society still expects a specific appearance from the female body. You’re not alone if you’re uncomfortable with not fitting this picture, or if you’ve even received comments about the way your body looks. For many women, the size, protrusion, or asymmetry of their labia are a source of deep self-consciousness.
Health and Hygiene Problems
Normally, the inner labia are protected by the labia majora, which keeps them moist and hydrated. If the labia minora protrude beyond the labia majora, they can dry out and become itchy. The excess skin can also be difficult to keep clean properly, leading to issues with hygiene. This can even make the body vulnerable to issues such as urinary tract infections.
Cosmetic Reasons
Some women simply want a different aesthetic from their labia, even if they’re not overly bothered by it. They may simply prefer a more “tucked” or symmetrical look and feel like a labiaplasty procedure would help them feel more confident. In short, “because I want to” is a perfectly valid reason to get a labiaplasty.
How is Labiaplasty Performed?
Labiaplasty can be performed with local anesthesia. A couple surgical techniques are available, including the wedge procedure and the edge trim procedure. The wedge procedure involves removing a wedge of skin from the inner labia and suturing the two sides back together. The trim procedure involves simply trimming off the excess skin, shortening the labia and achieving a more symmetrical look. In all, it’s a very short and straightforward procedure that comes with minimal downtime. Its best to have a consultation with our double board certified cosmetic surgeon Dr Dastoury to evaluate which technique would be ideal for you and review the risks and benefits with each.
Labiaplasty in Denver, CO
To learn more about labiaplasty and what you can expect from Dr. Dastoury, contact our Highlands Ranch, CO office by calling or filling out our online form.