What Causes Labial Hypertrophy?
- Mechanical irritation by sexual intercourse
- Childbirth
- Lymphatic Stasis
- Chronic irritation from dermatitis or urinary incontinence
- Genetics
Disadvantage or Reasons Women Seek Reduction of their Labia
- Difficulty with hygiene (toilet paper sticking),
- Discomfort with clothing that is tight
- Pain with riding a bike
- Labia catching in zippers
- Painful intercourse
WEDGE Method:
- This labial reduction technique was first introduced by Dr. Alter, a Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon in 1998.
- The wedge method preserves the natural edge of the labia.
- It does not disrupt or remove the delicate free margin of the labia minora
- It also tightens the entire length of the labia minora, including the portion next to the clitoris
- Can be carried forward on either side of the clitoris, tightening the clitoral hood
- More complex procedure, requiring more skill, to reduce the chance of too much tightening of the opening of the vagina or injury to the urethral opening.
- Modification with de-epithelialization may reduce nerve damage.
TRIM Method:
- This is a simpler method involving trimming the free margin of the labia minora.
- It has an advantage for a patient who does not like that pigmented tissue and wants it removed
- Removes tissue along the entire length of the labia minora, except for the area immediately next to the clitoris, which may produce an extra "tab" of tissue there
- One of the disadvantage is that it does not improve or tighten the clitoral hood.
- More likely to damage the nerve endings of the labia minora than other techniques
- May be more effective for very long and enlarged labia
- Simpler and less technically demanding procedure
There are several methods when it comes to performing a labiaplasty. Each method have their own advantages and disadvantages, and thus the method used should be individualized. I recommend asking your plastic surgeon regarding these techniques.
Emmanuel De La Cruz MD, PLLC
Houston Plastic Surgeon
References: Hodgkinson DJ, Hait G. Aesthetic vaginal labiaplasty. Plast Reconstr Surg. Sep 1984;74(3):414-6 Alter GJ. A new technique for aesthetic labia minora reduction. Ann Plast Surg. Mar 1998;40(3):287-90. Choi HY, Kim KT. A new method for aesthetic reduction of labia minora (the deepithelialized reduction of labioplasty). Plast Reconstr Surg. Jan 2000;105(1):419-22; discussion 423-4Girling VR, Salisbury M, Ersek RA. Vaginal labioplasty. Plast Reconstr Surg. May 2005;115(6):1792-3. Goodman MP, Placik OJ, Benson RH 3rd, Miklos JR, Moore RD, Jason RA, et al. A large multicenter outcome study of female genital plastic surgery. J Sex Med. Apr 2010;7(4 Pt 1):1565-77
