Labia Minoraplasty Procedure

The labia are folds of skin found on the outside of a woman's genitals. This is also called the vulva. The labia are responsible for protecting the vagina, clitoris and urethra.

There are two types of labia - the outer, larger folds called the labia majora(major) and the inner smaller folds called the labia minora (minor)

The labia minora are smaller, inner lips found inside the labia majora, closer to the body. Thanks to hormonal changes, significant weight loss and child birth, the labia minora can enlarge and cause a variety of problems for women including:

• An unnatural or embarrassing bulge in swimsuits, leotards or tighter fitting clothing
• Sweating or irritation during exercise
• Painful sex as the minora are snagged, irritated or rubbed during sex

To reduce the size and appearance of labia minora, many women consider a surgical procedure called a labia minoraplasty surgery.

Labia Minoraplasty Surgery

The procedure is relatively simple. You will see your provider for an exam and he or she will talk with you about the best surgical option.  Labia minoraplasty surgery takes about an hour to complete and can be done in an outpatient surgical setting under general anesthesia or in your provider's office using local anesthesia to numb just the labia (you would be awake).

During the procedure, your provider will reshape the labia minora. He or she may make a crescent - shaped cut and remove any extra tissue then re-stitch the labia minora to the body. Incisions are made close to the body and designed so that the scars are concealed.

Some women prefer to have the labia minora reduced to almost nothing, or just partially reduced. Make sure to talk with your provider about what you would like to have and ask to see before and after images of their work before you have surgery.

Labia Minoraplasty Surgery Recovery

You will be able to go home after your labia minoraplasty surgical procedure. If you chose to sleep through the surgery you will need a driver to take you home.

Your provider will give you pain medication you can take if needed. Swelling in the first day or two after labia minoraplasty surgery is common and you may need to use ice packs to help prevent this.

Once the swelling goes down, you should be able to return to work (24-48 hours after surgery) assuming you won't be doing activities that could injure the incisions. This includes any job with strenuous physical movement or activities like riding a bicycle, motorcycle or horse, which could place pressure on the incision.

Your provider will use dissolving stitches so you won't have to have anything removed later. It can take 3-12 weeks for the stitches to completely dissolve but you will be able to return to normal activities (and even have sex) about 6-8 weeks after surgery.

Request More Information

To request more information from a qualified medical healthcare provider, please call (408) 946-9453 or contact us online.

Author

Gul A. Zikria, MD, FACOG As an expert in preventive care, innovative treatment solutions, and laparoscopic surgery, board-certified OB/GYN Gul A. Zikria, MD, FACOG, is a trusted practitioner who’s been in private practice since 1985. Dr. Zikria earned his doctor of medicine from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark. He went on to complete a competitive surgical residency program at Georgetown University in Washington. Dr. Zikria then went through a comprehensive obstetrics and gynecology residency program through the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center at the Magee-Women’s Hospital. He welcomes new and existing patients to his practice in Milpitas, California.