Last Updated: 11 December 2018
A labiaplasty is surgery to reduce the size of the
labia minora – the flaps of skin either side of the vaginal opening. Some women consider having a labiaplasty because
they don't like the look of their labia, or because the labia cause
discomfort. This is a major decision you should weigh up carefully.
It's natural and normal for a woman to have
noticeable skin folds around her vaginal opening and, in most cases, this
should not cause any problems.
A labiaplasty can be expensive and the
operation carries a number of risks. There is also no guarantee you will get the
result you expected, and it won't necessarily make you feel better about your
body.
If you are thinking of going ahead, it is a good idea
to discuss your plans with your GP first. There might be a medical
condition causing your labial discomfort, or a reason why the operation isn't
appropriate for you.
If your GP feels that your labia are perfectly
normal after examining them, they may want to have a chat with you about
your reasons for wanting surgery. You may be advised to speak to
a counsellor or psychologist before you commit to any surgery.
How much does it cost?
In the UK, a labiaplasty costs about
£1,000-£3,000, plus the cost of any consultations or follow-up care that
may not be included in the price.
Occasionally, a labiaplasty may be carried out
on the NHS if the vaginal lips are obviously abnormal and causing the woman
distress or harming her health. However, the NHS doesn't routinely provide
this operation.
Where do I go?
If you are looking in England, check the Care Quality
Commission (CQC) website for treatment centres that can
perform a labiaplasty. All independent clinics and hospitals that provide
cosmetic surgery in England must be registered with the CQC, which publishes
inspection reports and performance ratings to help people choose care.
You should also research the surgeon who is going
to carry out the operation. All doctors must, as a minimum, be
registered with the General Medical Council (GMC). Check the
register to see the doctor’s fitness to practise history. You may also want to
find out:
- how
many operations they've performed where there have been complications
- what
sort of follow-up you should expect if things go wrong
- the
doctor's patient satisfaction rates.
Schematic diagram showing how a labiaplasty is performed, with 'before' and 'after' results.
What does it involve?
A labiaplasty can be carried out using either
a general anaesthetic or a local anaesthetic with sedation. The procedure involves shortening or reshaping the
vaginal lips. The unwanted tissue is cut away with a scalpel or possibly a
laser, and the loose edge may be stitched up with fine, dissolvable stitches.
The whole procedure takes about one to two
hours. Some patients are able to go home the same day.
Recovery
You may need to take some time off work to recover.
It can take a couple of months for the skin to fully heal.
During this time you need to:
- keep
the area clean and free from infection
- wear
loose underwear and clothes to prevent
rubbing
- avoid
sex for a few weeks
- use sanitary
towels instead of tampons for a few weeks.
Your surgeon would give you more specific advice
that you should also follow.
Side effects to expect
It’s typical after a labiaplasty to have soreness,
bruising and swelling for up to two weeks. Peeing and sitting during this period would
probably be uncomfortable, although you'd be given painkillers to help
with this.
What could go wrong (Complications)
A labiaplasty can occasionally result in:
- bleeding
- infection
- scarring
of tissue
- reduced
sensitivity of the genitals.
Any type of operation also carries a small risk of:
- developing
a blood clot in a vein
- an
allergic reaction to the anaesthetic.
The surgeon should explain how likely these risks
and complications are, and how they would be treated if they occurred. Occasionally, patients find the desired effect
wasn’t achieved and feel they need another operation.
What to do if you have a problem
Cosmetic surgery can sometimes go wrong and the
results may not be what you expected. If you have a labiaplasty and you experience
complications or are unhappy with the results, you should take up the
matter with the surgeon who treated you.
If you have concerns about your care, you
should contact the CQC. If necessary, you can make
a complaint about a doctor to the GMC.
Who should not have it?
A labiaplasty should not be performed on girls
younger than 18. Their labia may continue to grow and develop well beyond
puberty, into early adulthood.
How is it different to female genital
mutilation?
A labiaplasty is offered as cosmetic surgery or as
treatment for a medical problem, with the full consent of the patient. Female genital mutilation (FGM) refers to
procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital
organs for non-medical reasons.
It is nearly always carried out on children
without their consent, and in these cases is ethically and morally
wrong. FGM is illegal in the UK.
Where can I get more information?
