Labia Reduction Surgery

Dr. Jugenburg is a respected expert Labiaplasty Surgeon who has taught other Plastic Surgeons and residents on his surgical techniques.  Most recently, Dr. Jugenburg has been invited to the Aesthetic Surgery Symposium to lecture on the topic of Labiaplasty Surgery.

Many women have an enlarged labia lips (also referred to as vaginal lips, inner labia, labia minora in the medical literature) that protrude beneath their labia majora (outer labia).  Large labia can form as a part of aging, hormonal changes, or during stretching of childbirth.  Women with large labia may suffer from various symptoms and may be uncomfortable with their appearance.  They have no idea that this common condition can be dramatically improved with a relatively simple procedure – a Labiaplasty.

Labia reduction surgery has been featured in magazines, raising awareness of this procedure and how it can help countless women who suffer in silence.

During childhood labia minora does not extend past labia majora. But as Labia Minora age, they enlarge and can hang outside of the outer labia. Gravity, sex, and childbirth all contribute to labia stretching which can then cause embarrassment and discomfort.

Symptoms of Large Labia

Large labia can cause various symptoms such as pain and discomfort during physical activities, sexual intercourse, or simply while wearing tight-fitting clothes.  Large labia are irritated during sports such a bike-riding, horse-riding.  During sex large labia can get pulled causing discomfort or outright pain, causing the patient physical and emotional distress.  This can cause insecurity and embarrassment for the sexual partner as well.

What Is The Goal Of A Labiaplasty?

A ‘youthful’ appearance, when labia minora not outwardly visible while standing, is the goal of a labiaplasty. A study recently published on the ‘normal’ anatomy of the labia found that patients happy with their labia had labia that was 1.5 wide, while patients requesting labia reduction surgery had labia that was on average 3.5cm wide.  Increasing labia size was associated with increasing dissatisfaction among women.

Labia reduction surgery trims excess labial skin (labia minora) in women who are unhappy with the appearance of their labia. Most seek labial beautification surgery or labia reduction as a solution to the unattractive appearance of long, thick and hanging labia. In some cases women ask for labia reduction because their unusually large labia create discomfort during sex or physical activities, or even when wearing certain types of clothing.

Reasons to Consider Labiaplasty (Labia Reduction)

When it comes to labiaplasty (labia reduction surgery), some women have it for purely cosmetic reasons while others have functional issues. Women may elect labiaplasty when large or uneven labia minora are causing problems with:

concerns with appearance due to size, discoloration, or length

concerns with intercourse (pain/pulling/discomfort/irritation)

concerns during physical activities (pain/pulling/discomfort/irritation)

being unable to wear certain clothes/lingerie/bikinis

hygiene or odor issues

multi-directional urine stream

other labia issues

Labia Reduction Benefits

Labial reduction surgery reduces the protrusion of the labial lips ( labia minora ). If protruding labial lips/skin make you feel embarrased, interfere with physical activities or sexual intercourse, you may benefit from this procedure. Labia are reshaped, shortened, made thinner or asymmetry is corrected. Therefore, the procedure can also be referred to as labial beautification

Labia Reduction Procedure

There are different ways of performing labia reduction. A simple procedure is Labia Trim of any excessively protruding labia. Another way to achieve labia reduction is remove a wedge of tissue. This technique, however, can cause constriction of the vaginal opening ( introitus ) and it’s ability to reduce labia lips is limited. These labia reduction surgeries can be done under sedation or general anesthesia ( asleep ).

Labia reduction surgery trims excess labial skin (labia minora) in women who are unhappy with the appearance of their labia. Most seek labial beautification surgery or labia reduction as a solution to the unattractive appearance of long, thick and hanging labia. In some cases women ask for labia reduction because their unusually large labia create discomfort during sex or physical activities, or even when wearing certain types of clothing.

In some cases the labia does have a clearly abnormal shape, as for example when one or both sides have a small area that is significantly larger than the rest of the labia minora. In such a case the desired outcome is smooth out the contour of the labia but trimming or reducing the protruding part.