Posted by Dr. Miguel Fernández Calderón: 12/05/2023
Intimate surgery has grown significantly in recent years. More and more people are concerned about the appearance of this part of the body. This time we are going to explain why women have labiaplasty and how this treatment helps solve both aesthetic and functional problems.
What is labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty is cosmetic surgery that changes the size of the labia of the vulva. Although it is more 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 the aesthetic. Changing the size of the labia reduces the pain and irritation caused by certain activities such as exercise or sexual intercourse. It also reduces the chance of infections, since hygiene improves.
Hypertrophy of the vaginal labia or asymmetry between them is not an illness. However, it is capable of causing women discomfort. From an aesthetic point of view they may not be happy with their appearance, which lowers their self-esteem. It can also cause pain, irritation and infections.
More and more women are coming to the clinic asking 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 thanks to this intimate surgery.
On the other hand, although there is a certain stigma around the surgery, patients prefer to give priority to their wellbeing. 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 group them into two categories. On one hand we will talk about aesthetic problems and, on the other, functional ones.
Some women opt for labiaplasty because they feel their labia minora are too large or asymmetrical. Others experience pain during sexual intercourse or physical activity. And then there are patients who simply want to improve the appearance of their vaginal labia and, with it, increase their confidence.
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 towards feeling better about themselves and removing the worries caused by the size of their labia.
Aesthetic concerns
Women are concerned about the appearance of their genitals and have realised how labiaplasty can solve these problems. In this respect, the shape and size of the labia can give rise to the following concerns:
- Asymmetry of the labia minora: this happens when one of the labia is larger than the other. It should be noted that it is normal for there to be some asymmetry, as with the rest of the body. The difficulty arises when this difference is very large and one of the labia protrudes excessively and can cause discomfort.
- Hypertrophy of both labia minora: in this case it refers to the excessive growth of both inner labia, which protrude beyond the outer ones. This can occur because of vaginal births, hormone use, or it can be a hereditary condition. It is not in itself a malformation, but it can cause women pain and discomfort.
- Dissatisfaction with the size and shape of the labia majora: the labia majora, also known as the outer labia, can be asymmetrical or be a size women are not happy with. It can happen, for example, that they look droopy because of a lack of tone. During labiaplasty it is possible to remove fat to reduce their size or, conversely, to fill them with autologous fat or hyaluronic acid to make them larger.
Functional problems
Labiaplasty is not only performed to solve genital aesthetic concerns. Functional problems refer to the physical difficulties women can experience because of the size of the vaginal labia. These are the most common:
- Pain during sexual intercourse: hypertrophy of the labia minora can cause friction during sexual intercourse. This makes the woman feel pain and reduces or prevents the sensation of pleasure. Removing the excess skin through labiaplasty solves this problem.
- Discomfort when exercising: playing sport can be more difficult for women with large inner labia, for various reasons. In the first place, the movements they make can cause friction, and tight clothing may also feel uncomfortable. And finally, there are sports — such as cycling or power biking — in which contact with the equipment causes pain.
- Irritation and infections: these occur through contact between the skin and underwear or other clothing. Irritation can be very uncomfortable and affects the quality of life of women who sometimes avoid wearing certain garments to reduce contact.
- Difficulty with hygiene: another reason for having a labiaplasty is to improve genital hygiene. With large labia minora it can be difficult to clean properly, which in turn causes odour and infections.
Bear in mind that not all women with large labia minora experience functional problems. However, if these affect their quality of life, labiaplasty is an option worth considering to relieve the symptoms and so improve intimate wellbeing.
Vaginal rejuvenation
It is clear that women are concerned about the appearance of their genitals, and that this changes over time. During development, hormones can cause excessive growth of the vaginal labia. 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 vaginal rejuvenation. The surgery makes it possible to change the shape and size of the labia, achieving an appearance the patient is more satisfied with.
Labiaplasty as a response to social pressure
Finally, it is worth mentioning that there are women who want this surgery because of social pressure for their body to look perfect, genitals included.
Large labia minora are considered unattractive. Which leads women to feel ashamed of their genitals.
During the consultation, the surgeon will ask about the patient’s motivations and expectations. This is how they will advise whether or not the surgery is appropriate. And, if it is, which technique to use.
Having a labiaplasty purely because of social pressure may not be the best idea. However, if the appearance of her vagina affects a woman’s self-esteem and sex life, then it is a valid alternative.
It is important to remember that vulvas come in all shapes and sizes and there is nothing “normal” or “abnormal” about their appearance. Women should feel free to make decisions about their bodies without feeling pressured by other people’s opinions.
What results can you expect from labiaplasty?
Recovery from labiaplasty is quick. However, the definitive results will be seen between three and six months, once the stitches have healed and the swelling has gone.
Labiaplasty will improve the appearance of the vulva 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 you can expect after this surgery is reduced pain during sexual intercourse or physical exercise. Finally, maintaining proper intimate hygiene will also be easier, which will help avoid infections.
Risks of not having a labiaplasty
We have already explained that neither hypertrophy of the labia minora nor asymmetry means the patient has any illness. Therefore, not having a labiaplasty does not mean facing any health risk. However, these conditions can cause pain or discomfort, so the procedure may be worth considering.
Likewise, labiaplasty helps prevent the irritation and infections that can arise from inadequate hygiene.
Does labiaplasty improve your sex life?
Labiaplasty in itself is not aimed at increasing pleasure during sexual intercourse. Its purpose is to improve the appearance of the vulva. However, it can help improve your sex life.
On one hand, by removing the excess skin from the inner labia, the woman will no longer feel pain in the area because of it. In addition, by accepting the new appearance of her body, her self-esteem will improve and she will enjoy the experience more.
Women are learning about the benefits of labiaplasty and, thanks to that, the surgery has become popular over recent decades. This has also helped them fight the stigmas that have been built up around this procedure.
It is important to understand why women have labiaplasty. There are those who believe it is 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 whether the procedure is right for her or not.
