Labia Minora Reduction

Labia minora reduction surgery changes the shape and contour of the vaginal folds by shortening the labia minora folds. This type of procedure may be performed in women with long labia folds that are a source of irritation and pain or as a cosmetic procedure to change the appearance of the vagina.

Identification

• Labia minora reduction surgery, also known as labiaplasty, is a form of surgery that shortens the two labia minora folds. These two folds extend downward from the hood of the clitoris, around the opening of the vagina, and attach near the bottom of the vaginal opening. This surgery is performed under general anesthesia, and patients may usually go home the day after the procedure is performed.

Significance

• Labia minora folds occur in all different sizes and shapes, and some women develop exceptionally long or large folds; the labia minora may also elongate after childbirth.

  Long labia minora folds can cause discomfort to women during sexual intercourse or by rubbing against clothes and becoming irritated. Their appearance may also be a source of embarrassment for some women. Labiaplasty can resolve these issues.

Types

• The first type of labia minora reduction surgery reduces the size and length of the labia minora folds by cutting off the edges and then closing the raw new edges with suture (stitching) material. This type of surgery often results in scarring, an unnatural appearance, and pigmentation differences between the edge of the folds and the rest of the vagina.

  A more recent form of labia reduction surgery is known as "Alter labia contouring" (named after Dr. Gary J. Alter) or the "labia wedge." This type of surgery removes a wedge shape of tissue from the inside of the labia minora, and then sutures the raw edges together; the result lifts up the fold while preserving the original edge of the labia minora. Alter labia contouring is now the preferred form of labia reduction surgery as it results in a more natural appearance.

Effects

• Side effects associated with labia minora reduction surgery include scarring, irritation or pain from suture breaks, and post-operative infections. Women may develop yeast infections from antibiotics prescribed after the procedure occurs. Some labia reduction surgeries must be repeated due to unsymmetrical results or to repair scarring.

  Normal activities may resume within a week or two after surgery, and normal sexual activities may resume six weeks after surgery.

Considerations

• There is an ongoing debate about whether labia contouring and reduction surgeries should be performed as a cosmetic procedure. There is no medical definition of what a normal vagina looks like, and some women's groups feel that women are being pressed to change the shape of their vagina only to please the male concept of what a vagina should look like.