Common Questions about Labia Reduction

What is labia reduction?

Labia reduction or labiaplasty is designed to alter the size and shape of the labia minora, which are the inner lips surrounding the vaginal opening. Labia reduction surgery can be performed using the scalpel technique or laser. The preferred technique at Centre for Surgery is to use a scalpel for labia reduction.

What causes the labia to grow?

The labia can grow for several reasons. Many women are born with large labia that may appear uneven. Some women notice their labia getting larger during puberty as a result of hormonal fluctuations involving oestrogen and progesterone. Pregnancy can also cause labial growth due to an increase in blood flow to the female genitalia with an increase in hormone levels. A difficult vaginal delivery increases the risk of developing uncontrolled tears in the labia. If the labia heals poorly, it may change the size or shape of the labia. An increase in the size of the labia can also occur as part of the natural ageing process. Excessively rubbing on clothing may result in an increase in labia size. When the labia grows, it may result in pigmented labial edges.

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Can sexual intercourse cause labia growth?

Sexual intercourse may result in a temporary increase in the size of the labia as part of the sexual arousal process, but it does not cause labial growth.

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What are normal labia?

Labia minora are the inner soft tissue folds surrounding the vaginal opening. As with other parts of the body, the labia can be small or large. The labia may be symmetrical or uneven, long or short, normal colour or deeply pigmented. There is a wide range of normality in the appearance of the labia and as long as they do not cause symptoms and are not a source of psychological distress, there may be no need to have labia reduction surgery.

Why do people have labia reduction surgery?

Labia reduction is most commonly carried out by surgically altering the size and shape of the labia to achieve a more cosmetically acceptable appearance and with the relief of functional symptoms, including pain and discomfort. Labia surgery can also get rid of deeply pigmented edges of the labia minora and can also be used to treat pain and tender labia scars from a previous vaginal delivery. In some cases, excessively large labia may cause discomfort or lead to increased episodes of vaginal infections from inadequate hygiene. Overgrowth of the labia minora may cause pain during sex or get caught on clothing items. Labia reduction may also be requested to reduce the prominence of large labia that may protrude through swimwear and which may look obvious to others.

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How to prepare for labia reduction?

Treatment is always customised to the needs of the individual patient. The size, symmetry, colour and soft tissue quality of the labia will be determined during your consultation at our Baker Street clinic. A detailed assessment will be made of the labia, which will permit customised recommendations to be made about the most appropriate type of labia reduction surgery. Once you are fully informed about all aspects of the procedure, including potential risks of labia reduction, you will be advised to consider whether to proceed during a two-week cool-off period. If you wish to proceed with surgery, you will then be invited to book in for your procedure at our Baker Street clinic in London.

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How is labia reduction performed?

There are several techniques for performing labia reduction and in some cases, your surgeon may use a combination of different techniques to achieve the best aesthetic and functional results. The goal of surgery is to achieve smaller and better-proportioned labia, which do not cause functional symptoms. Centre for Surgery is home to experts in labia reduction surgery and they carry out hundreds of procedures each year at our state-of-the-art surgical facility in Marylebone.

Your surgeon will first mark the area of the operation with a marker pen, and this will be shown to you to agree on the precise area for surgical removal of excess labia tissue. Labia reduction is most commonly carried out with a local anaesthetic, but general anaesthetic may be requested, particularly for complex or difficult cases. Once the local anaesthetic has been injected into the labia, the surgeon will utilise a delicate surgical technique to reshape the labia to achieve your expectations for treatment. Dissolvable stitches will be used to close the incisions and there will be no need to have these removed at future follow-up appointments. Once the procedure is complete and you are ready for discharge, postoperative instructions will be discussed with you to ensure your recovery is as smooth as possible.

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Where does labia reduction surgery take place?

Labia reduction procedures are performed at our state-of-the-art Baker Street facility in Marylebone. Our Baker Street clinic is fully approved by the Care Quality Commission and is equipped with the most advanced medical equipment for cosmetic gynaecology procedures. The clinic is easily accessible from all parts of London, and there is plenty of pay-and-display parking located adjacent to the clinic.

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How long does it take to recover from labia reduction surgery?

Labia reduction recovery is relatively straightforward with most patients returning to normal activities after approximately five days. We would advise against any strenuous activities that could result in disruption to the incision lines. Full healing after labia surgery takes approximately six weeks after which patients can resume strenuous exercise, including sexual intercourse.

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Can labia reduction surgery be combined with other procedures?

In many cases, the best results after labia surgery are achieved when combined with clitoral hood reduction or hoodectomy to achieve better-proportioned results. Performing labia reduction in the presence of an enlarged clitoral hood may result in suboptimal outcomes. Perineoplasty can also be combined with labia surgery when the lower part of the vaginal opening has enlarged as a result of childbirth. Many women may have developed a deflated appearance of the labia majora as a result of the ageing process, and labia puffing is an excellent treatment to restore volume and a more youthful look. Combination treatment is regularly performed to achieve enhanced results for vaginal rejuvenation. When you have your consultation, an expert treatment plan will be designed to match your needs and preferences.