The older a woman gets, the smaller and more atrophic the labia minora can become. To compensate for the loss of volume, they can be rebuilt with an autologous fat graft or with hyaluronic acid. Volume augmentation with hyaluronic acid alone can be performed under local anaesthetic. Autologous fat grafting is performed under general anaesthetic. This operation is often combined with an additional tightening of the labia minora.
Labia reduction
Labiaplasty is a form of labiaplasty and is a surgical procedure to reduce the labia minora.
Enlarged or asymmetrical labia minora can already exist at a young age (so-called congenital variants) or become more pronounced over time. Too large or too long labia minora are often a psychological burden for patients. They therefore feel impaired, for example, during sexual contact, when wearing tight clothing or when swimming. Shame and rejection towards their partner are not uncommon. Often, labia that are too large are not only aesthetically disturbing but also mechanically disturbing, for example during sporting activities such as cycling, horse riding, etc. Labia reduction is the most common procedure in the field of labiaplasty and increases a woman's sense of well-being enormously.
Labia reduction
In addition to the congenital enlargement of the labia minora, the main cause of the anatomical change is age. The older a woman gets, the larger the labia minora become and the smaller and more atrophied the labia majora become: a natural ageing process. Several pregnancies, hormone cures, weight gain or loss further intensify this process.
The labia minora become mechanically disturbing and therefore symptomatic when they are no longer covered by the labia majora, dry out and are therefore inadequately protected from pressure and strain. This leads to pain, irritation and recurring infections.
Many women feel ashamed, do not wear tight clothing and even avoid sporting activities.
Labia reduction surgery
Following a medical history and clinical examination, the operation is usually performed on an outpatient basis under general anaesthesia, or under local anaesthesia if desired. The most commonly used surgical technique, which is associated with the fewest complications, is longitudinal resection (lazy S resection), in which the protruding part of the labia minora is removed. Labia reduction
The possible side effects and complications of this relatively minor procedure are manageable. However, in rare cases, aesthetically unpleasant scars, prolonged weeping wounds, soft tissue damage and discomfort may occur.
Possible corrections
Enlargement of the outer labia
Tightening of the outer labia
If the labia minora lose volume, the skin may no longer retract sufficiently. The labia minora look empty and wrinkled. The excess skin can be removed in a short operation so that the labia minora appear smooth again. If desired, these can be filled with additional volume (autologous fat or hyaluronic acid).
Clitoral hood tightening
Too much skin around and above the clitoris can be sexually and aesthetically disturbing. The excess skin can be carefully removed in a short operation so that the clitoral hood looks beautifully taut. This operation is often combined with a reduction of the labia minora.
Tightening of the mons veneris
Massive weight fluctuations can lead to a significantly enlarged and unsightly mound of Venus. If necessary, this can be reduced again by liposuction. If there is also excess skin, this must also be removed.
