Labiaplasty is a cosmetic procedure that reduces or changes the shape of a woman’s labia (lips on the exterior of the vagina). It can refer to the labia majora (external lips) or the labia minora (internal lips).
During puberty, a lot of females see that their labia minora has an unusual shape or is unusually large. Some women develop an enlarged labia minora after multiple childbirths or as a result of aging. Varicosities may also develop after childbirth. This can cause embarrassment most especially during sexual intercourse. It can affect self-esteem and libido. Also, a woman may feel discomfort when wearing tight pants, bathing suits, or when engaging in certain sports. Fortunately, all of these problems can be addressed with a labiaplasty.
Here are some of the most common questions women ask about the procedure.
1.) Is labiaplasty recommended even if I do not have kids yet?
Yes. A large labia that bothers you emotionally or physically should be addressed immediately. A labiaplasty can help increase your self-esteem apart from correcting your anatomical form.
2.) What type of anesthesia is used in the procedure?
The procedure can be done under local anesthesia, general anesthesia, or local IV sedation depending on your preference and of your surgeon from the Cosmetic Gynecology Surgery Suite.
3.) Is it advisable to have labiaplasty at a young age or is it better to wait till one gets older?
In most cases, it is best to have the surgery done when it is required especially when it affects you emotionally and physically.
4.) Will the labia have a rough edge once the procedure is done and the labia has completely healed?
A surgical technique creates a labia that appears and feels natural without any loss of sensation.
5.) Will the surgery cause insensitivity?
Labiaplasty will not cause loss of sensitivity when performed correctly. Sensory pleasure is also not associated with the labia, but with the clitoris. The sensation elicited from the labia is pain upon stretching or tearing.
6.) When can normal sexual intercourse be resumed after labiaplasty?
Depending on the extent of surgery as well as the age of the patient, normal sexual intercourse can be resumed after 6-8 weeks.
As with other surgical procedures, there are risks associated with labiaplasty such as the possibility of bleeding, scarring, or infection. These are rare when the surgery is done by top surgeons. For more information on labiaplasty, consult Dr. Helen Colen, Dr. Robert Porges, or Dr. Kari Colen of the New York Cosmetic Gynecology Surgery Suite. They regularly see patients from Upper East Side, Manhattan, and New York that require help with complex functional and cosmetic problems of the bladder, labia, and vagina. Set up an appointment today and learn more about labiaplasty.
