Female Genital Plastic Surgery

Labioplasty (Correction of Labia Minora)

The vulva (external female genital organ) has two sets of labia (lips) - labia majora and labia minora.

The labia majora is a continuation of the mons pubis (The soft mound over the pubic bone) and the two major lips meet at the perineum (the area between the lower most part of the vagina and the anus). The outer part of the labia majora looks skin coloured, whereas the inner part looks pink or brown.

The two lips of the labia minora start below the clitoris and run downward within the labia majora bordering the vestibule which contains the urethral and vaginal openings.

A labioplasty usually refers to surgery of the labia minora, and involves removal of "excess" tissue. Although called "labia minora" (minor or small lips), these are much more prominent than the larger labia majora, due to the colour and position of the lips.

While little can be done where the labia minora are smaller than normal, most corrections are done for reduction of the labia minora where they are prominent and conspicuous, causing embarrassment or inconvenience or pain with the use of close fitting clothes or during sexual intercourse.

The Surgery is best done under general anaesthesia in an operating theatre.

The procedure is a relatively short one and not too difficult to recover from. Restrictions after surgery include avoidance of close fitting inner garments and intercourse for approximately 3 weeks.

Labioplasty usually has a good outcome and is being sought by an increasing number of women.

Labia Majora Plasty

or reduction of the large outer Lips of the Vagina is done to reverse the effects of childbirth, aging, weight loss and sometimes due to excessive size.

Due to the above causes, there is loss of tone and firmness of the labial tissue with resultant droop and sag and the appearance of enlargement of the labia majora. This in turn causes problems with the use of tight fitting or revealing clothes, as used in the gym or when swimming. Further, there is significant embarrassment during sexual intercourse and difficulty in maintaining genital hygiene.

Surgical correction, involving the removal of excessive / loose / droopy skin from the labia majora gives an excellent correction.

This is usually done under General Anaesthesia, takes about 60 minutes, and requires some time off for recovery.

Post operative recovery is usually uneventful when postoperative instructions, involving the avoidance of tight clothes and sexual activity for 3 to 4 weeks, are followed

Clitoral Hood Reduction

The clitoral "prepuce" or skin cover, when excessive in size, affects the appearance of the clitoris and also interferes with clitoral stimulation.

Removal of excess prepuce or clitoral folds corrects the above mentioned problems, and is often done in conjunction with a labiaplasty (labia minora reduction).

The surgery is done under Sedation / Local Anaesthesia or General Anaesthesia. Intrinsically, there are few risks in recovery from the procedure especially when post operative instructions on avoidance of tight clothes and manual or other modes of stimulation are followed.