Labiaplasty

Labiaplasty is the term for recontouring of the female genitalia, or labia. Women have two pairs of labia: the inner, hairless skin folds next to the vaginal opening are the labia minora and the outer, hair bearing folds are the labia majora.

Labiaplasty of the minora may correct natural asymmetry, excess size, or changes due to prior trauma to the labia, such as may occur with childbirth. This procedure is the most common type of labiaplasty and it is easily performed under local anesthesia in my office. After revising the excess skin, small sutures are used to repair the labia. The sutures are removed within two weeks, yielding a scar which is invisible in most patients.

In some patients, particularly those with larger minora, excess skin folds are also found on either side of the clitoral hood. These extra folds can also be recontoured at the time of labiaplasty to achieve improved balance of the remaining genital skin.

Labiaplasty of the majora is performed when patients have significant sagging or enlargement of the majora. These concerns may result from significant weight fluctuations such as may occur with pregnancy or they may be just from loss of elasticity of the skin during the aging process. Majoraplasty is also usually performed in my office.