Why do women have labiaplasty?

News, Tips and Aesthetic Care Blog

Intimate surgeries have had a significant growth in recent years. And the fact is that more and more people are concerned about the appearance of this area of the body. In this opportunity we will explain why women are made labiaplasty and how this treatment helps to solve both aesthetic and functional problems.

What is labiaplasty?

Labiaplasty is a cosmetic surgery by which the size of the labia of the vulva is modified. Although it is most commonly performed to reduce the size of the labia minora, the labia majora can also be enlarged or reduced.

This procedure can have several benefits for women that go beyond aesthetics. By modifying the size of the labia, the pain and irritation caused by certain activities such as exercise or sexual intercourse is reduced. It also reduces the possibility of infections, since hygiene is improved.

Hypertrophy of the labia or asymmetry of the labia is not a disease. However, it is capable of causing discomfort to women. From an aesthetic point of view, they are likely to be unhappy with their appearance, which lowers their self-esteem. It is also capable of causing pain, irritation and infection.

More and more women are coming to the office inquiring about labiaplasty at Sculpture Clinic. This is because they are more aware of their bodies and know that they can improve their quality of life through this intimate surgery.

On the other hand, although there is a certain stigma surrounding surgery, patients prefer to prioritize their well-being. Especially when they know they are in the hands of an expert surgeon.

Why do women have labiaplasty?

There are different reasons why women have this type of surgery and they vary from one patient to another. However, we can classify them in two groups. On the one hand, we will talk about aesthetic problems and, on the other hand, about functional ones.

Some women opt for labiaplasty because they feel their labia minora are too large or asymmetrical. Others experience pain during intercourse or physical activity. And then there are patients who just want to improve the appearance of their labia and thereby increase their confidence.

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Whatever the reasons for having a labiaplasty, it is important to understand that it is not just about vanity. For women, it is an important step in feeling better about themselves and eliminating concerns about the size of their labia.

Aesthetic concerns

Women are concerned about the appearance of their genitalia and have realized how labiaplasty can solve these problems. In this regard, the shape and size of the labia can cause the following concerns:

  • Asymmetry of the labia minora: occurs when one of the labia is larger than the other. It should be noted that some asymmetry is normal, as is the case with the rest of the body. The difficulty arises when this difference is very large and one of the labia protrudes in an exaggerated manner and can cause discomfort.
  • Hypertrophy of both labia minora: in this case it refers to the exaggerated growth of both inner labia, which protrude above the outer labia. This may occur due to vaginal births, hormone intake or be a hereditary condition. It is not a malformation per se, but it can cause pain and discomfort in women.
  • Dissatisfaction with the size and shape of the labia majora: the labia majora, also known as the outer labia, may be asymmetrical or have a size that does not please women. It may happen, for example, that they look droopy due to lack of tone. During labiaplasty it is possible to remove fat to reduce their size or, on the contrary, to fill them with autologous fat or hyaluronic acid to make them larger.

Functional problems

Labiaplasty is not only done to solve genital aesthetic problems. Functional problems refer to the physical inconveniences that women may experience due to the size of the labia. These are the most common:

  • Pain during sexual intercourse: hyperophasia of the labia minora can cause friction during sexual intercourse. This causes the woman to feel pain and reduces or prevents the sensation of pleasure. Removing the excess skin by labiaplasty solves this problem.
  • Discomfort when exercising: Playing sports can be more difficult for women with large inner labia for several reasons. First of all, the movements they make may cause friction, and tight clothing may also feel uncomfortable. And finally, there are sports - such as cycling or power biking - where contact with the equipment causes pain.
  • Irritation and infections: occur due to contact between the skin and underwear or other clothing. Irritations can be very annoying and affect the quality of life of women who sometimes avoid wearing certain garments to reduce contact.
  • Hygiene difficulties: Another reason for labiaplasty is to improve the hygiene of the genitalia. Having large labia minora can make it difficult to clean properly, which in turn causes odors and infections.
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It should be noted that not all women with large labia minora experience functional problems. However, if these affect their quality of life, labiaplasty is an option to consider to alleviate symptoms and thus improve intimate well-being.

Vaginal rejuvenation

It is clear that women are concerned about the appearance of their genitalia, and it changes over time. During the developmental stage, hormones can cause the labia to overgrow. In addition, over the years the skin loses its tone and childbirth can also alter its shape.

So labiaplasty becomes an alternative for women who want a vaginal rejuvenation. The surgery allows to modify the shape and size of the labia, thus achieving an appearance with which the patient is more satisfied.

Labiaplasty as a response to social pressure

Finally, it should not go unmentioned that there are women who want to undergo this surgery because of the social pressure to make their body look perfect, including their genitals.

Large labia minora are considered unattractive. This leads women to feel embarrassed about their genitals.

During the consultation, the surgeon will ask about the patient's motivations and expectations. In this way, he will suggest whether it is convenient or not to perform the surgery. And, if it is, which technique will be used.

Having a labiaplasty just because of social pressure may not be the most convenient thing to do. However, if the aesthetics of her vagina affect a woman's self-esteem and sex life, then it is a valid alternative.

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It is important to remember that the vulva comes in all shapes and sizes and there is nothing "normal" or "abnormal" about its appearance. Women should feel free to make decisions about their bodies without feeling pressured by the opinions of others.

What results can be expected from labiolasty?

Recovery from labiaplasty is rapid. However, the definitive results will be seen in three to six months, after the stitches heal and the swelling disappears.

With labiaplasty the appearance of the vulva will improve and women will feel more self-confident. Thanks to this their self-esteem will improve, which means they will enjoy activities such as sexual intercourse more.

Another benefit that can be expected after this surgery is the reduction of pain during sexual intercourse or physical exercise. Finally, maintaining proper intimate hygiene will also be easier, which will help to avoid infections.

Risks of not undergoing labiaplasty

We have already explained that labia minora hypertrophy and asymmetries do not mean that the patient suffers from any disease. Therefore, not having a labiaplasty does not imply that you will face any health risk. However, these conditions may cause pain or discomfort, so you may consider undergoing the procedure.

Likewise, labiaplasty helps prevent irritations and infections that can be caused by inadequate hygiene. 

Does labiaplasty improve sex life?

The labiaplasty itself is not aimed at increasing pleasure during sexual intercourse. Its purpose is to improve the aesthetics of the vulva. However, it can help to improve sexual life.

On the one hand, by removing the excess skin from the inner labia, the woman will no longer feel pain in the area due to this. In addition, by accepting the new appearance of her body, she will improve her self-esteem and enjoy the experience more.

Women are becoming aware of the benefits of labiaplasty and, as a result, the surgery has become popular over the past few decades. This has also helped them to combat the stigmas that have been created around this procedure.

It is important to understand why women have labiaplasty. Some believe that it is an unnecessary and painful surgery. However, it is important to remember that it is a personal decision and it is up to each woman to decide if the procedure is right for her or not.

Dr. Miguel Fernández Calderón - Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Miguel Fernández Calderón - Plastic Surgeon


Degree in Medicine from the University of Castilla-La Mancha, with training in Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University Hospital La Paz. Member of the Spanish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (S.E.C.P.R.E).

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