Labiaplasty refers to the surgical reduction of the labia minora, or the inner lips of the vulva. Doctors can also use it to correct irregularly-shaped labia and improve symmetry. The growing popularity of this kind of surgery has given rise to controversies about the reasons for pursuing it.
Aesthetic Uses for Labiaplasty
Labiaplasty is primary a cosmetic procedure. Some women are born with labia that are elongated, to the point that one or both may protrude beyond the outer labia. For other women, this happens as a result of childbirth. In some extreme cases, the labia may even be visible if the woman is wearing tight clothing, like a swimsuit. Women may find this condition embarrassing, but don't like to feel so self-conscious about their genitals. Labiaplasty provides a way to permanently correct this condition. Although it carries the same risks as all surgical procedures, it is generally safe when performed by an experienced specialist.
Some doctors perform the surgery with a laser, because of the precision it provides. Other doctors prefer surgical scissors in order to manually replicate the naturally "ruffled" edge of the labia minora. Scarring does occur, but is generally not conspicuous. Scars will fade over time. Although some women have successfully given birth after labiaplasty, in other cases the scar tissue has presented complications in vaginal delivery. Your doctor can help you understand the risks of this surgery if you are still intending to have children.
Medical Uses for Labiaplasty
Labiaplasty is very rarely performed for purely medical reasons. However, there can be certain benefits beyond the aesthetic improvement. Labia that protrude through the outer lips can cause discomfort in many areas of life - sports and exercise, sexual intercourse and wardrobe. Some women may even feel discomfort while walking or jogging. Labiaplasty can be a liberating surgery for women who avoided these activities because of the pain or discomfort associated with them.
It is important to note that labiaplasty cannot increase the sensitivity of the labia. Women who experienced little to no sensation in their labia prior to surgery will likely not notice a difference after surgery, although sexual intercourse may be more comfortable. However, labiaplasty can be and often is combined with vaginal rejuvenation and clitoral hood reduction to create an overall more pleasurable sexual experience. Your doctor can go over these processes with you to help you decide if they are right for you.
Labiaplasty as Part of a Sex Change
Labiaplasty is often part of a surgical sex change procedure. In this case, instead of reducing elongated labia, a surgeon creates labia where there were none. This is done in combination with a vaginoplasty, or replication of a natural vagina, although they are not performed at the same time to reduce trauma. While it's not an essential part of a sex change, it is often performed after a vaginoplasty to improve the cosmetic appearance of the vagina. Those undergoing male-to-female surgery should seek a doctor that specializes in sex change surgery, as the procedure is more intensive than most common cosmetic surgery. Only a qualified professional should perform this kind of labiaplasty.
