Labiaplasty: benefits and risks

It’s okay if your labia are different from those you see on the Internet, and sometimes even from one another. However, more and more women ask their doctors to conduct a labiaplasty to reduce the labia. According to the American society of plastic surgeons (ASPS), in the period from 2015 to 2016, the number of labiaplasty procedures has jumped by 39%. Obviously, many women choose this surgery, but the chances that you really need, are extremely low.

The labia are part of the vulva. Vulva is the name for all vasyganskoe of poluvagonov, including the labia, which have two pairs. The labia majora is the outer lips where the hair grows, and malaespina within them, and are located near the clitoris, urethra and vaginal opening. Labiaplasty is usually performed on the labia.

While plastic surgery is and should be a personal choice, many doctors are hesitant to perform labiaplasty if this is not necessary from a medical point of view, because the operation is always associated with potential risks and complications. Maura Quinlan, a doctor from Northwestern Medical Group, says he always has a conversation, before you agree to surgery:

I tell patients that their labia is similar to the ear lobe all of them are different shapes and sizes. I don’t want to intervene if the anatomy is normal.

What is the norm?

FYI, there is a huge range of normal labia, so you probably don’t need to worry about their.

Susan Fenske, doctor of medical Sciences, associate Professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive science at Mount Sinai Health System, said that there is no medical leadership, which would define the standard length of the labia. However, she said, many doctors believe the labia too long, that is exaggerated, if their length is more than 5 or 6 inches when soft tension.

But then again, there are many potential variations. Even if your labia exceed this criterion, this does not mean that you need a labiaplasty!

In what situations need a labiaplasty?

From a medical point of view labiaplasty should rarely be necessary. According to Dr. Quinlan, labiaplasty for medical reasons is recommended, as well as your labia affect the quality of life, that is, it is not in appearance. Depending on their length, the labia can cause pain during sex if they get into the vagina. According to Dr. Fenske, women with such labia can also experience irritation or discomfort when wearing underwear or swimsuit, during physical activity or even walking and daily activities.

If the labia do not affect your life in a similar way, obstetrician-gynecologists and gynecological surgeons are hesitant to recommend surgery. The only exception to the presence of anomalies of the labia, for example, melanoma.

On the other hand, cosmetic procedure labiaplasty is usually directed to your labia looked more careful (tend to be shorter and was sandwiched between the big lips). When Dr. Quinlan comes to the patients who want to make a labiaplasty, it introduces them to the basics of anatomy and encourages to look at the Great wall of vagina, an art installation by British artist Jamie McCartney, which presents plaster casts of the genitalia of various women.

There are so many options standards of appearance and size of the labia. Work McCartney just demonstrates this.

How is labiaplasty performed?

Labiaplasty is considered an outpatient procedure (meaning that you don’t have to spend the night in the hospital after it), and can be performed under General anesthesia or using a combination of local anesthesia and sedation.

According to Dr. Fenske, during the procedure, the doctor usually cuts the labia and imposes absorbable sutures to close the raw edge. There is also a wedge labiaplasty, which makes the edge of the labia, but instead removes the pieces of fabric in the shape of the pie from other areas of the lips.

After correction of the labia your vulva is inflamed and swollen. ASPS notes that some women even take a week off work for recovery. Dr. Quinlan recommends wearing loose clothing for at least several days after surgery to avoid excessive pain and take a warm bath (i.e. immersing the entire body below the hips in warm water or saline) to reduce discomfort. According to ASPS, you can also apply ice to affected areas for 20 minutes and then do a 20-minute break to ease the pain and swelling.

With regard to long-term healing, doctors usually recommend to avoid tampons, sex and strenuous exercise within four to six weeks.

Possible risks

Be prepared for the fact that can form scars that can make skin less elastic. That or a surgeon, accidentally cut off more skin than necessary, potentially can cause vaginal dryness, pain during intercourse, and easy tear, if in the future you will have a vaginal birth. Some women found out about it, abandon the operation. According to Dr. Fenske, there is also a chance that you may receive a local numbing of the labia.

If your labia bother you to such an extent, comesout your daily life, speak with your doctor about the possibility of labiaplasty. But if you just dislike them because you think they’re too big, you’re probably better to abandon the operation. Some labia are small, others a little more, but there is nothing wrong. It’s just an anatomical feature.