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Many women choose to undergo labiaplasty for aesthetic — or appearance — reasons. While it’s certainly not always the case, large labia or labia larger than a woman’s preference, can make women feel less attractive.
Having a labiaplasty procedure will restore a woman’s personal comfort. In addition, women may also pursue this procedure to restore physical comfort.
How Does Large Labia Cause Discomfort?
There are three common ways women experience physical discomfort due to large labia. These include:
- Discomfort While Exercising
Physical activity can cause pressure in the labial/vulva area that can be uncomfortable. Primary activities that can lead to discomfort include riding a bike or a horse; however, even routine activities, like brisk walking, can be uncomfortable.
- Discomfort Wearing Tight Clothing
Having large labia may prevent women from wearing tight clothing, such as yoga pants or bathing suits.
The famous “camel toe” showing through clothing can be embarrassing and leads to some women wearing loose clothing to hide it. At the same time, those with large labia may experience the annoying and uncomfortable friction that tighter clothing can cause.
- Discomfort During Sexual Intercourse
Large labia can cause discomfort and, in some cases, even contribute to pain during intercourse. This can be an issue for women and can be difficult to express to their partner.
What Is the Definition of Large Labia?
Large labia typically refers to the inner lips of the vagina, called the labia minora, that extend or protrude past the outer lips (labia majora). Labiaplasty is the procedure that can correct this condition.
There can also be asymmetry between the right and left labia and this is also corrected with the labiaplasty procedure.
What Is a Labiaplasty Procedure?
Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure that makes your large labia smaller, more proportionate and decreases the protrusion of the labia (inner lips) in relation to the labia majora (outer lips).
This is done by surgically removing excess labia skin and reshaping the labia (inner lips of the vulva) to be smaller and symmetrical. Labiaplasty is a 45-minute outpatient procedure that is usually performed under twilight sedation or local anesthesia.
What Should You Know About Labiaplasty Recovery?
After labiaplasty surgery, you will be wearing a feminine pad as there may be minor bleeding for 24 to 48 hours. There may be swelling and bruising in the labia/vulva area. Ice packs applied to the labial area will help the bruising, swelling and give you comfort. Pain is usually minimal and most women take TYLENOL® to relieve any pain.
It is important to keep the area clean until it is fully healed to avoid infections and hasten the healing process.
Wearing loose clothing will help with the healing process. Exercise may start in two to three weeks depending on your comfort level. Sexual intimacy may be resumed in three to four weeks with generous lubrication.
Can Teenage Girls Receive Labiaplasty Surgery?
In certain cases, labiaplasty can be performed on teenage girls who are developing large, asymmetric, or disproportionate labia.
However, because the labia may still be growing, most doctors will advise patients to wait at least until after puberty before having labiaplasty surgery.
Labiaplasty in Philadelphia and New Jersey
If you seek relief from large, asymmetric or disproportionate labia in or near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, call Dr. Adrian Lo at (215) 829-6900.
Dr. Lo also has a plastic surgery practice in Marlton, New Jersey, and serves the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, including the cities of Philadelphia, Marlton, Cherry Hill, and Mount Laurel.
If you are interested in learning more about the growing popularity of labiaplasty, read our blog here.