When is Surgery for Labial Reduction the Answer?

Many women present to their initial consult at Austin Labiaplasty and Vaginal Rejuvenation with complaint of a noticeable increase in the size of their labia for many years. Some women are bothered by the appearance while others complain of discomfort from the labia with exercise, tight clothing or sexual intercourse. Many women say this has been a problem from a young age causing years of discomfort either physically, emotionally or both. Our patients often find us through internet searches for a solution to their bothersome labia. At the time of consult, common questions often include, “what causes this,” “is this normal,” “does this bother other women,” “is surgery the right answer for me?” These are all great questions. Some women have a genetic component predisposing them to labial hypertrophy (increase in size) while others develop labial hypertrophy with age and hormonal changes, especially during pregnancy. A common misconception is that one’s lifestyle or certain behaviors cause an increase in labial size. The answer to the question, “is this normal” is simply yes. All women’s bodies develop differently. The better question to ask oneself when considering surgery to reduce the size of the labia is, “does this bother me or affect my quality of life?” When the answers are yes, we believe labiaplasty is a great option. To the question, “does this bother other women?” Absolutely. Labial surgery is one of the fastest growing plastic surgery procedures. This is in part to a growing awareness of treatment options. “Is surgery the right answer for me?” Again, when one’s quality of life or confidence is affected by this issue, labiaplasty is a great option. Women report an overall sense of relief after surgery, including the ability to wear tight workout clothing or bathing suits, a new found confidence in their bodies and a greater comfort and pleasure with intercourse.