A woman’s vulva, or external genitalia, contains two sets of labia. These are the labia minora (the inner lips) and the labia majora (the outer lips). The labia majora is the external genital area and it’s the part that you will see without spreading your legs. The labia minora are the two pieces of skin that are located on either side of the vaginal opening, inside of the labia majora.

The labia minora, or inner lips, is important for maintaining optimal levels of moisture and hygiene of the vulva and vagina. The labia majora is the part of your body that protects the delicate soft tissues of your vulva and contains pubic hairs. This hair is meant to protect the rest of your vulva from stress and friction.

Some women find that their labia minora begins to protrude beyond the labia majora during puberty while others may find that their labia minora becomes enlarged after pregnancy.

The ideal relationship is for the labia majora to completely cover the labia minora. Over time, the labia minora may become enlarged so that they protrude beyond the labia majora, with the delicate mucosal tissue of the labia minora exposed to friction, which causes pain, discomfort, and hygiene concerns.

There is no standard or “normal” labia. The size and shape of your labia are largely determined by genetics but aging and childbirth will create changes as well. For some women, the labia changes back after pregnancy while other women see a permanent change.

Generally speaking, these changes are only cosmetic although, in some cases, they may cause discomfort. Since your labia minora has delicate mucosal tissue, it can be easily irritated by the friction of tight clothing or exercise. Often women live with this problem for many years. They deal with ongoing pain, discomfort, and feelings of self-consciousness.

Enlarged labia can even be visible through tight clothing and swimsuits, which makes women feel uncomfortable in their own skin. The good news is that a labiaplasty can create a smooth look so you can feel confident wearing anything you like.

While it may not be something that women like to discuss, this is an incredibly common problem that affects countless women. Many women feel shy discussing a large or irregular labia, painful intercourse, or regular discomfort. This means that far too many women are unaware of their options.

Far too many women are unaware of the options available to them. We provide a discreet and private environment where you can discuss your concerns openly with one of our specialist Plastic Surgeons.

Some of the many benefits of Labiaplasty surgery include:

A labiaplasty can be a good option for any woman who is in good health and over the age of 18 years. While women often choose to have a labiaplasty to deal with the effects of vaginal childbirth, it is not necessary to be a mother to have the procedure. Some women develop enlarged labia during puberty and a labiaplasty can be a good solution. While you might have been dealing with the condition for years, it is important to wait until you are over 18 to ensure that your body is fully developed before making a change as it allows for much more predictable results.

With the increased awareness about the function and cosmetic improvement after labiaplasty surgery and the relief both physically and emotionally it brings women, labiaplasty has quickly become one of Dr Turner’s most common procedures performed.

Labiaplasty surgery is performed under general anaesthesia in a fully accredited hospital with the assistance of a consultant anaesthetist. You can expect your procedure to take one to two hours. Most women go home the same day.

During a labiaplasty procedure, small incisions are made to remove any excess tissue while reducing or reshaping the labia minora. The procedure doesn’t affect the clitoris and it won’t affect sexual sensation. In fact, many women report having an improvement in their sex life after the procedure

HOW IS LABIAPLASTY SURGERY DONE?

There are numerous different labiaplasty techniques that can be done to meet your unique needs and wishes. Our labiaplasty specialists are highly skilled at creating almost imperceptible scars that are hidden along the natural creases of the labia.

There are a range of different techniques that can be used, alone or in conjunction with others.

TRIM (AMPUTATION) TECHNIQUE

The original technique used in labiaplasty was simply removing the tissue at the free edge of the labia minora. This is a procedure used by many surgeons because it’s quick to perform and easy to learn. This method can be a good option for women who want to eliminate darkening of the inner labia, that comes with age and pregnancy.

The disadvantage of this technique is that the natural texture of the labia minora is lost. This creates an overly smooth and unnatural look. There’s also an increased risk of nerve damage. A major limitation of this technique is that it can’t deal with excess tissue around the clitoral hood. Even if you aren’t concerned with the shape of your clitoral hood now, you may find this method creates an odd-sized clitoral hood.

DE-EPITHELIZATION TECHNIQUE

The de-epithelization technique allows you to maintain the natural texture of the labia minora edge. With this method, an incision is made in the inner and outer wall so that you can keep a natural labia edge. The disadvantage to the de-epithelization technique is that the labium width could increase if a considerable amount of tissue needs to be de-epithelialized adding bulk to the labia. Also for those with large labia, the free margin is not reduced in length and appears wrinkly.

WEDGE RESECTION TECHNIQUE

The wedge resection technique removes a wedge of tissue from the labia minora’s thickest portion. This method preserves the labia’s natural texture for a natural look and has been a popular technique used by many surgeons performing labiaplasty surgery over the last decade.

There is, however, the potential of nerve damage when done as a full-thickness resection. Another drawback is that this method doesn’t address the hyperpigmentation of the labial edge and if too much tension is applied then there is a risk of wound separation.

WHAT TECHNIQUE DO FORME SURGEONS USE?

There is no one best technique and, in fact, the best option for you could require a blend of multiple techniques. Every woman is different and so is her labia. To find the best approach, your surgeon will create a plan that is customised to your unique needs and wishes. When several methods are used in combination, it is called a composite labiaplasty.

Your surgeon will have an in-depth conversation to assess your needs then discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the traditional techniques to create a treatment plan.

Our labiaplasty specialists are experienced Plastic Surgeons who use the most current techniques and surgical protocols – to reduce the risk of tissue damage and minimise scars.

WHAT IS CLITORAL HOOD REDUCTION SURGERY?

Your glans clitoris is covered by skin, which is called the clitoral hood (or prepuce). This clitoral hood is similar in many ways to the foreskin on the male penis. This skin protects your clitoris from irritation, friction, and injury. Due to the high level of sensitivity of the clitoris, protection is essential.

Clitoral hood sizes vary and there’s no relationship between a woman’s frame size and her clitoral hood size. A very petite woman can have an oversized clitoral hood while a large woman can have a small clitoral hood. Having a large clitoral hood can be problematic. If the hood is large enough, it’s possible that the clitoris can’t be exposed. This can inhibit sexual arousal and reduce a woman’s satisfaction with her sex life.

A clitoral hood reduction, or hoodectomy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that reduces the amount of skin covering the clitoris, which enhances sexual arousal and improves the appearance of genitals and is frequently performed in conjunction with a labiaplasty.

During a clitoral hood reduction surgery, two bilateral incisions are made on either side of the hood. The excess tissue covering the clitoris is removed to create a smooth and tight area without reducing sensation or the ability to become aroused. The clitoris itself is unaffected by the procedure.

It is essential to create just the right amount of exposure for the clitoris. Removing too much of the clitoral hood, leading to ‘deroofing’ the clitoris can cause chronic irritation and discomfort.

LABIA MAJORA REDUCTION

As with many areas of the body, weight fluctuations, ageing and pregnancy can cause the labia majora to lose their fullness and volume, making them look deflated and saggy. With many women becoming unsatisfied with the appearance of their labia majora. With a combination of fat transfer and skin resection, the labia majora can be restored to a more youthful appearance.

While in some women the labia majora may have become enlarged, which may cause an embarrassing bulge in tight-fitting clothes or swimwear. A combination of liposuction and/or direct excision of the excess tissue can be performed to give a more balanced appearance to the external genitalia.

It is possible to have bruising, bleeding, swelling, infection, and scarring. There’s also a chance of developing asymmetry, under or over resection of labial tissue, or wound dehiscence / separation.

It’s important to note, however, that the clitoris is not affected by a labiaplasty procedure.

Sensation levels won’t be affected by the operation and your sexual satisfaction won’t be impacted.