Labia reduction is possible on the labia minora and labia majora. A reduction of the labia minora is usually desired. Labia reduction can be performed using a scalpel, laser or electrosurgery. Depending on the chosen method of labia reduction, the costs range between 600 and 2500 euros.
Here you will find further information and selected specialists for labia reduction.
The labia majora are hairy and merge into the mons pubis towards the lower abdomen. The labia minora have a mucous membrane covering and merge into the vaginal vestibule on the inside. Towards the front, they form a fold that covers the clitoris with a small hood.
In most cases of labia minora reduction, patients want a reduction of the inner labia minora.
Ideally, the labia majora should completely cover the labia minora. In reality, however, the anatomy of many women deviates considerably from this ideal. In medicine, this is known as norm variants. These deviations are not pathological findings.
In many women, for example, the labia minora protrude several centimetres beyond the labia majora. Sometimes they are ruffled like a pleated skirt, fissured or completely asymmetrical. They are also often darkly pigmented, which makes them appear particularly conspicuous.
Since shaving the genital area has become fashionable, these norm variants are particularly noticeable. The women affected avoid nudist baths and saunas and often also feel impaired sexually.
In severe cases, problems can also occur when cycling or wearing tight pants.
A thorough examination is required before surgical correction. It must be ruled out that a medically relevant malformation (e.g. hermaphroditism) is present. In addition, the patient's expectations should be clarified through a joint examination.
Shortening the downwardly protruding part of the labia minora is usually not a problem. Occasionally, however, the labia majora are very thin. During the procedure, the labia minora would have to be almost completely removed.
Some women also have a large, prominent clitoris, which also protrudes over the labia majora. This cannot be changed by the procedure. Partial removal of the hood over the clitoris can lead to
and is therefore not recommended.
Technically, a
can be considered.
The labia minora are extremely well supplied with blood and react immediately to manipulation with considerable swelling. Simple removal with a scalpel therefore leads to heavy bleeding. Therefore, anesthesia and particularly strong sutures are required.
The tissue swells and softens at the same time as it is cut. Therefore, expectations regarding the uniformity of the result should not be too high.
With the electrosurgical method, many blood vessels are already closed off during the incision. The tendency to bleed is therefore significantly lower. This shortens the procedure time and simplifies the operation, so that local anesthesia is possible in minor cases.
However, the cutting accuracy is only slightly better than with a scalpel.
The laser method allows contact-free removal of excess tissue with a beam of light. The blood vessels are sealed in a single operation by the heat effect of the laser. As a result, there is hardly any bleeding and the procedure only takes around 30 minutes.
The incision line is marked beforehand and precisely traced with the laser beam. This allows a much more even result to be achieved. Due to the minimal bleeding, closure is possible with a few self-dissolving, very fine sutures.
To anesthetize the patient, an anesthetic cream is applied for about 30 minutes before the procedure. The patient is also given a mild sedative tablet to relax her. After the incision lines have been drawn in the operating room, a local anaesthetic is then administered.
The main risk of labia minora reduction, regardless of the method, is post-operative bleeding. Although the bleeding is easy to treat, it can be extremely heavy due to the good blood supply to the tissue. It is therefore strongly recommended that the patient is observed in the surgery or clinic for one night. This greatly reduces the risk of bleeding after the patient is discharged the next day.
Swelling is obligatory and minor bruising is quite common. However, they will subside without further treatment. Wound infections are rare. Slight bladder infections occur occasionally, but subside within a few days after antibiotics have been administered.
In rare cases, individual small nodules form at the edges, which then usually disappear again within a few weeks.
Enlargement of the labia majora is usually caused by a pronounced accumulation of fat. It often also affects the mons pubis. In these cases, liposuction is the method of choice. The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia.
In some women, the amount of fat in the labia majora decreases over the years. The result is a sagging of the tissue, which can sometimes be very cosmetically unpleasant. In these cases, a tightening procedure is performed.
The incision is made at the junction of the normal skin and the mucous membrane. The methods, including anesthesia, are the same as for labia minora reduction. The risks are also essentially the same. However, the risk of post-operative bleeding is significantly lower.
For pain management after the procedure, simple painkillers such as
are suitable. Acetylsalicylic acid (e.g. Aspirin, Thomapyrin, Spalt) is not permitted due to the risk of secondary bleeding.
Complete healing can be expected after approx. 3 weeks. Until then, patients should bathe in a lukewarm camomile solution for approx. 3 to 5 minutes in the morning and evening.
The costs for a labia minora correction using the scalpel method are
Correction of the labia majora costs approx. 1300-2500 euros.
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