Will Labiaplasty Affect Sensation?

Labiaplasty has the potential to transform women’s lives and help them to regain their self-confidence. Labia reduction is a type of cosmetic surgery designed to improve the physical appearance of the labia minora and the labia majora. Although the procedure is most commonly requested in the UK for cosmetic reasons, many women seek labiaplasty to get rid of pain and irritation. The presence of excess labial tissue can result in pain during sexual intercourse, and women may experience discomfort from wearing tight-fitting clothes. Labiaplasty may also be combined with clitoral hood reduction (hoodectomy) as part of a ‘designer vagina‘ procedure.

RELATED: What is Labial Hypertrophy?

Labiaplasty surgery can address both cosmetic and medical concerns, and one of the most common questions we get asked is, ‘does labiaplasty affect sensation?’

There are a significant amount of nerve endings in the labia minora, and the clitoris alone has over 7000 nerve endings. Labiaplasty does not affect sensation during the recovery period or after that. The labiaplasty surgeon is focused on removing labial tissue that does not have any nerve endings. Although any surgery, including labiaplasty, carries certain risks, a reduction in sexual sensation is not typically encountered with labia reduction surgery. Many women usually experience an increased level of sensation particularly if they choose to combine labiaplasty with a clitoral hood reduction. Clitoral hood reduction or hoodectomy involves surgical removal of excess tissue to reduce the size of the clitoral hood. This means more of the clitoris and its many nerve endings are exposed, and therefore an increased level of sensation can be expected after the procedure.

What are the different types of labiaplasty?

Before undergoing a labia reduction procedure, Women will first need to have an in-depth consultation at our Baker Street clinic for a full clinical assessment. Every woman has different treatment expectations. It is essential for the surgeon to listen to your needs and preferences, enabling them to give you accurate advice on what is realistically achievable with the procedure. This includes the amount of surgical correction required and choosing the most appropriate type of labiaplasty method for your procedure.

One of the most commonly performed labiaplasty procedures is the trim labiaplasty, also known as the ‘edge’ technique. This technique involves your surgeon carrying out a vertical incision with a scalpel. The incision is positioned on the free margin of the labia minora to enable the effective removal of excess tissue. The trim method of labiaplasty is particularly useful for removing areas of hyperpigmentation along the labial border as well as the removal of excess labial tissue.

The second type of labia reduction technique is wedge labiaplasty. This technique is more suited for women who may be concerned about the risk of visible scarring. The wedge technique involves the surgical removal of excess tissue from the thickest part of the labia minora. A wedge-shaped section of labia is precisely removed with a scalpel before the cut edges are carefully stitched together to minimise the amount of visible scarring. The length and shape of the labia are permanently corrected and will be visible immediately after the surgery. You’ll need to wait six weeks for the final results to become visible to allow any labiaplasty swelling to settle down completely.

The least commonly performed type of labiaplasty is the de-epithelialisation technique. This technique is similar to the trim method. However, the chief difference is related to the removal of an oval-shaped section of the superficial labial tissue which lines the inner part of the labia. This technique specifically avoids the many nerve endings in the labia, helping to minimise any changes in sensation after labiaplasty surgery.

Whichever technique is chosen to perform your labia surgery, both labiaplasty and clitoral hood reduction are quick and straightforward procedures to perform when carried out by an expert cosmetic gynaecologist. Both surgical procedures are carried out as a day case under a local anaesthetic which may be combined with oral sedation. You may choose to have your procedure under general anaesthetic if you prefer for your total comfort. Labiaplasty takes approximately two hours to perform, depending on the amount of correction required. Most women can return to their normal daily activities after two or three days. There are a number of restrictions on certain activities during the labiaplasty recovery period. These include avoidance of physical exercise and sexual intercourse for a full six weeks. Full labiaplasty recovery is usually complete by six weeks after the procedure.

RELATED: Can I get a labiaplasty on the NHS?

Why choose Centre for Surgery for labiaplasty Surgery?

Labiaplasty is a potentially transformative procedure that can lead to a significant improvement in self-confidence, emotional well-being and sexual function. Our specialists have many years of experience treating women with labial hypertrophy. We are renowned for our in-depth knowledge of female sexual and reproductive anatomy. This gives her a unique understanding of the intricate function of the pelvic organs. If you would like to book a consultation at Centre for Surgery for labiaplasty, please get in touch today and speak to one of our friendly and knowledgeable patient coordinators on 020 7993 4849.

RELATED: How much does a labiaplasty cost?