• Are your vaginal lips, or labia, noticeable when you wear a bathing suit or tight-fitting jeans?
• Do your labia cause you pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse or while riding a bicycle?
• Have large or uneven labia ever embarrassed you in an
  intimate relationship?

If so, you're not alone. With the rising popularity of bikini waxing, many women have become more aware of the appearance of their genitals. And the abundance of sexually explicit material on TV, online and in men's magazines has resulted in many women comparing their genitals to what they see on the screen or in print. In some cases, comments from a sexual partner may also prompt women to seek a way to reshape their uneven or protruding labia.

Years ago, the only women who had labiaplasty, or plastic surgery on their vaginal lips, were swimsuit models or women who worked in sex-related industries. This is changing with the increase in the overall popularity of plastic surgery, as well as the new openness concerning men's and women's sexual issues.

The March 2007 issue of Plastic Surgery News, published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reports that some labiaplasty patients simply “have a desire to look neat,” while a majority of patients want the procedure “for a combination of aesthetics and to alleviate discomfort, be it during intercourse, wearing tight clothes or participating in horseback riding and
other sports.”

ASPS statistics show that female genital cosmetic surgery is one of the fastest-growing types of cosmetic surgery in the U.S.—increasing 30% from 2005 to 2006 alone. And one of the most common procedures is labiaplasty.

What is labiaplasty?

Labiaplasty is a plastic surgery procedure to reduce and/or balance the size of the labia minora, or the inner lips of the vulva, or external female genitals. The medical term for enlarged labia minora is labial hypertrophy. After labiaplasty, the vulva has a more youthful look as the labia minora no longer protrude outside the outer vaginal lips.

In cases where there is too much fat padding over the mons pubis, or pubic mound, Dr. Parungao may perform liposuction on the
mons pubis.

What causes large or uneven vaginal lips?

• Genetics
• Childbirth
• Hormonal changes
• Aging

Who is a candidate for labiaplasty?

You may be a candidate for labiaplasty if you have large or uneven labia minora that cause:

• Pain while exercising or during sexual intercourse
• Hygiene problems such as trapped moisture
• Skin rashes or irritation
• Embarrassment in intimate settings

Who should not have labiaplasty?

You should not have labiaplasty if you:

• Are pregnant or menstruating
• Have complications from an episiotomy
• Have a yeast infection or genital herpes outbreak
• Have problems with bladder incontinence
• Have a prolapsed uterus (your uterus has fallen
  into the vaginal canal)

How is labiaplasty performed?

Dr. Parungao performs labiaplasty as an outpatient procedure under twilight or general anesthesia. He removes the excess tissue from the labia minora and uses self-dissolving sutures which dissolve within a week. The length of the scar depends on the amount of tissue removed, but is typically about two inches long.

Patients are up and moving right after surgery, can normally return to work in three to five days, and may resume sexual relations in up to six weeks, depending on the extent of the surgery.

Labiaplasty FAQ

Q.	When is the right time for labiaplasty?
A.	It's best to plan your labiaplasty for a time when you will be able to take it easy for a few weeks. Just before an out-of-town vacation or right before pregnancy are not good times for this surgery.
Q.	What if I plan to have children?
A.	Labiaplasty should not interfere with having children, although pregnancy may cause a recurrence of excess labial tissue.
Q.	Is labiaplasty cosmetic or reconstructive surgery?
A.	That depends on each woman's case. If large or uneven labia are causing medical problems such as trapped moisture resulting in skin rashes and irritation, labiaplasty may be considered reconstructive. If the procedure is done solely for aesthetic reasons, it is considered cosmetic surgery.
Q.	Is labiaplasty covered by insurance?
A.	If the surgery is medically necessary, it is normally considered reconstructive and may be covered by health insurance. Check your insurance policy to see what benefits you may qualify for if you are considering labiaplasty. Dr. Parungao's office can help you submit the necessary pre-operative paperwork to apply for benefits. If the surgery is simply cosmetic, insurance will not pay for labiaplasty.

Newsletters related to labiaplasty

	April 2010 ‘For years, I was so uncomfortable—I had no idea something could be done’
April 2010

News releases related to labiaplasty

May 6, 2010—Labiaplasty May Be Covered by Insurance, Notes Chicago-area Plastic Surgeon Allan Parungao, MD

Labiaplasty, a plastic surgery procedure to reshape the inner vaginal lips, may be considered medically necessary when large or uneven labia minora are causing recurrent infections or problems with urination or feminine hygiene. In cases like these, Chicago-area plastic surgeon Allan Parungao, MD, works with patients to help get the procedure covered by their health insurance.

PDF version of “Labiaplasty May Be Covered by Insurance”

February 28, 2008—Plastic Surgeon Notes Popularity of Labiaplasty Leads Many Women to Ask ‘Am I Normal’?

TV shows like Dr. 90210 are making more women aware of labiaplasty—a plastic surgery procedure to correct large or uneven labia minora, or inner vaginal lips. Board-certified plastic surgeon and author Allan Parungao, MD, FACS, says these shows have led many women to question whether their labia are normal.

PDF version of “Plastic Surgeon Notes Popularity of Labiaplasty Leads Many Women to Ask ‘Am I Normal’?”

March 28, 2007—Labiaplasty Gaining Popularity in America's Heartland, Plastic Surgeon Notes

Oak Park, Ill., plastic surgeon and author Allan Parungao, MD FACS, notes the increase in the number of women from all walks of life opting for labiaplasty, a plastic surgery procedure to reshape the labia minora, or inner vaginal lips.

PDF version of “Labiaplasty Gaining Popularity in America's Heartland”