Labiaplasty is surgery to reduce or reshape the labia minora or majora, the skin folds around the vaginal opening. It helps women whose labia are long, thick or uneven and cause chafing, irritation, wetness or discomfort during exercise, tight clothing or intercourse, or who are concerned about appearance after childbirth or ageing.
- AnaesthesiaLocal or general anaesthesia
- DurationAbout 1 to 2 hours
- Hospital stayDay case
- Back to routineUsually about 1 week
What is labiaplasty?
Long or prominent labia minora, or excess skin of the clitoral hood, can cause chafing, chronic wetness, dryness and irritation, and discomfort during sport, cycling or tight clothing. Some women also feel self-conscious, which can affect sexual confidence. Labiaplasty can relieve these symptoms and improve symmetry.
Techniques include edge (trim) resection, the original method that trims tissue along the free edge of the labia minora; central wedge resection, which removes a partial-thickness wedge from the thickest part; and de-epithelialisation, which removes surface tissue from central areas. Careful technique avoids cutting through deeper nerves, which can cause painful neuromas or numbness.
The procedure is usually a day case under local or general anaesthesia and typically takes 1 to 2 hours. The technique is tailored to each woman's anatomy and goals.
Who is labiaplasty for?
- Women whose labia cause discomfort during exercise or in tight clothing
- Chronic wetness, dryness, chafing or irritation from prominent labia
- Changes after childbirth or with age
- Women who feel their labia affect their sexual confidence
- Healthy adults with realistic expectations
How is it done?
- Medical evaluation as ordered by the surgeon
- Stop smoking and alcohol about two weeks before; avoid aspirin, anti-inflammatories and herbal supplements
- Fasting before surgery as instructed
- Excess tissue is trimmed along the edge, or a V-shaped wedge is removed, depending on anatomy
- Incisions are closed with absorbable stitches; usually 1 to 2 hours as a day case
What is recovery like?
- Most women go home the same day and take about a week off work
- Wear a sanitary pad for comfort and follow wound-cleaning instructions; apply antibiotic ointment as directed
- Follow-up visit within the first week
- Avoid tight clothing such as thongs; avoid tampons and intercourse for about four weeks or as advised
- Avoid strenuous exercise for about two months
What are the risks?
- Infection or bleeding
- Asymmetry
- Lasting changes in sensation
- Painful neuroma (nerve sensitivity)
- Ongoing pain or scarring
Why choose Dr. Jithendran?
- Dual training in orthopaedics (MS) and plastic surgery (MCh, DNB), with hand and microsurgery experience from Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore
- Consults at five hospitals across Bengaluru, with 24×7 availability for emergencies
- Clear explanations in English, Tamil, Hindi and Telugu, and time to answer every question
- Strict sterilisation and patient-privacy standards
Frequently asked questions
Why do women choose labiaplasty?
Many choose it to relieve physical discomfort, such as chafing, irritation or pain during exercise, cycling, tight clothing or intercourse caused by long or prominent labia. Others are concerned about appearance after childbirth or with age. A confidential consultation helps decide whether it is appropriate.
What is the difference between trim and wedge labiaplasty?
A trim (edge) resection removes excess tissue along the free edge of the labia minora. A wedge resection removes a V-shaped, partial-thickness section from the thickest part and preserves the natural edge. Your surgeon will choose based on your anatomy and goals.
Is labiaplasty painful?
It is done under local or general anaesthesia, so you should not feel pain during surgery. Afterwards, swelling and soreness are common for the first days and are managed with pain relief, cold packs and loose clothing.
When can I return to exercise and intercourse?
Most women return to work in about a week. Tampons and intercourse are usually avoided for about four weeks, and strenuous exercise for about two months, or as advised by your surgeon at follow-up.
Will labiaplasty affect sensation?
Most women do not notice a lasting change, but altered sensation is a recognised risk. Careful surgical technique that avoids deeper nerves reduces the chance of numbness or painful neuroma. Discuss this risk with your surgeon beforehand.
