(Also called trimming the labia, trimming the vaginal lips, trimming the labia minora)

Many women are concerned about the appearance of their genital (“vaginal”) area.  The Labia, also known in layman’s terms as “vaginal lips,” “genital lips,” or just “ lips” can be a source of concern, discomfort or possible embarrassment when they are excessively long or uneven.    This is actually a more common problem than most women realize.   Fortunately there is a relatively easy procedure that Dr. Smith performs frequently to correct this problem.

The external female genitalia are mainly made up of the labia.   The labia consist of two paired folds.   The outer labia, called the Labia Majora, are the larger labia and the ones that are mainly associated with feminine beauty in the genital area.  The Labia Minora are the innermost folds and are much thinner than the Labia Majora.   They are the labia that directly surround the vaginal opening and help form the clitoral hood.

There are many normal variations in appearance, but aesthetically most people prefer that the Labia Majora are full and nearly completely cover the inner, thinner Labia Minora.   These inner labia should not protrude past the outer labia or if they do, it should be only slightly more.   However, sometimes they may protrude excessively or be uneven.   Also, after pregnancies, they may stretch and lengthen.

In addition to being aesthetically unpleasing, when the Labia Minora are very long they can interfere with sexual function or be a source of discomfort when exercising or running.    Sometimes they can cause hygiene problems.   Women have complained to Dr. Smith that they are embarrassed to wear a swimsuit because they feel like there is a bulge present that “makes them look like a man down there.” 

There is a minor surgical procedure called Labiaplasty that can be performed to correct this problem.   The Labia Minora are trimmed in a careful fashion to a smaller size.   This takes only 30 to 45 minutes to perform.    This procedure can be done completely asleep under general anesthesia, or under sedation, or completely awake with local anesthesia.   When the patient prefers to do this completely awake, the area is completely numbed with injections.   Most women prefer to have this surgery done under sedation.    This means they will be given some medication to make them very drowsy, and the labia are completely numbed.   

 After a short recovery period, the patient returns home.    The pain after surgery is usually mild and easily taken care of with pain medications.   Most patients can return to work 2 or 3 days after surgery, provided they do not do any strenuous activity at work such as heavy lifting.

If you are concerned about the appearance of your labia, do not hesitate to discuss this problem with Dr. Smith.  This is a much more common problem than most women realize and is easily corrected.  The procedure is fairly minor and the recovery reasonably mild.    The vast majority of Dr. Smith’s patients have been extremely happy with the results of this procedure.  

NOTE:  Due to the sensitive nature of this procedure, Dr. Smith does not post any before and after pictures of this procedure on the web.   However, if requested, he has before and after pictures that can be shown in the office to prospective female patients.