In women, labia reduction is an aesthetic operation preferred because of the deformation of the vagina and the resulting negative image. Medical methods are used to intervene in this situation, which creates insecurity and unhappiness in women's sexual lives. Since the entrance area of the vaginal region is larger than normal, wrinkled, wide and drooping, an aesthetic appearance can be achieved by cutting the inner labia of the genitals in patients. Labiaplasty aims to aesthetically reduce the size of the vaginal area. 

What is labiaplasty?

Labiaplasty is used for women who have a larger than normal vaginal entrance area. The process of cutting the labia to prevent the vagina from appearing wrinkled, saggy, and wide is called labiaplasty. It is one of the most used genital aesthetic surgeries today.

The main purpose of labiaplasty is to eliminate the problem of sagging due to excessive growth of the outer and inner lips of the vagina. This aesthetic surgery, applied to restore the vagina to its original state, is intended to correct the labia. These operations, popularly known as labiaplasty, prevent women from experiencing a lack of sexual confidence.

What causes labiaplasty?

Labiaplasty is a method of removing some deformities in the vagina. Although the deformation of the labia does not cause a medical problem, the factors that cause deterioration of the aesthetic appearance are as follows:

• Insufficient elasticity of the connective tissue in the vagina or congenital labia size in the vagina.
• Sagging due to ageing
• Deformation due to vaginal deliveries
• Enlargement of the labia due to sagging of the vagina after menopause
• Prolonged contact of the vagina with allergenic substances (soap, perfume, shampoos)
• Frequent vaginal infections
• Rapid weight fluctuations
• Deformation in the vaginal area due to excessive stimulation

For whom is a labia reduction performed?

Those who undergo labia reduction usually choose this aesthetic surgery because the labia grow more than normal in the vagina. Labiaplasties offer some advantages not only in terms of aesthetics but also in terms of functionality. After the operation, people can easily wear tight clothes and bikinis.
At the same time, the risk of vaginal infections and hygiene is reduced. The quality of sexual intercourse is increased because the person's pain during intercourse is prevented. In this way, the person's self-confidence and comfort increase and psychological problems can be overcome.

Healing process after labiaplasty

Healing after labiaplasty begins after the operation, which takes an average of 1 hour. Although the surgery is usually performed under local anaesthesia, general anaesthesia can be performed if the patient or the surgeon wishes. No dressing is applied in the post-operative area and the following stages are followed in the healing process:

• The operated area is cleaned with ointments containing antibiotics.
• Mild pain may be experienced for an average of 2 to 3 days. 
• Increased tenderness, swelling and oedema of the outer lips are normal. 
• This oedema disappears completely after an average of 10 days. 
• After labiaplasty, the patient can return to everyday life from the day after the operation.
• Complete healing of the sutures is also completed in at least one week.

Does labiaplasty produce scars?

As the inner edges of the lips heal successfully, there is no scar after the operation. Even after only 1 month after the operation, it is not understood that the patient has undergone labiaplasty. Moreover, even for the operated person, after 6 months after the labia reduction, the surgical site is not visible. Sexual intercourse is possible 4 weeks after the operation.