3 Common Reasons Women Choose to Have Labiaplasty

The anatomy of the vulva has a lot of variation, with your labia being almost as unique to you as your fingerprint. While every labia minora has distinctive features, a particularly large or long labia minora can cause discomfort, medical complications, or self-consciousness. 

Labiaplasty is a gynecologic surgery that can alter the shape or size of your labia minora. Even if your labia are perfectly healthy, labiaplasty gives you the chance to restore a more youthful appearance or address asymmetry. 

At Women’s Health Institute in Macon and Warner Robins, Georgia, Nnaemeka Umerah, MD, and Anayo Umerah, MD, perform custom labiaplasties to address concerns regarding labial function, comfort, and appearance. During a consultation, you can discuss your goals and expectations with the team so they can plan your surgery accordingly. 

Labiaplasty popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, with an over 600% increase in labiaplasties in less than a decade in the United States. Read on to learn about three of the most common reasons why women pursue this surgery. 

1. Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Urinary tract infections happen when bacteria enters your urethra and causes irritation. Many women experience occasional UTIs, which cause frequent urination, painful urination, and an unusual urinary odor. If UTIs are a recurrent issue for you, they may be due to bacteria getting trapped in the excessive tissue of a labia minora with a large surface area. A study found that women with larger labia minora were more likely to have pH imbalances, which can contribute to UTI occurrence. 

Of course, labial anatomy isn’t the only possible cause of frequent UTIs, and,  before considering surgery, you should consult with a gynecologist if you experience them. 

2. Labial discomfort

When labia minora are long or voluminous, they can cause uncomfortable friction. This is often the case while riding bikes, having sexual intercourse, or exercising. You might struggle with labial tissue that sticks to your leg during physical activity, causing chafing and discomfort. 

If you experience discomfort from your labia in any capacity, consult with our team about labiaplasty. The surgery can reduce the length of your labia minora to alleviate discomfort and chafing during activity of any kind. 

3. Appearance preferences

Medical concerns and comfort are common medical reasons for labiaplasty, but many women express interest in the surgery based on their preferences for the appearance of their labias. 

Appearance concerns are a primary motivating concern for labiaplasty, though research indicates that most women seeking labiaplasty have labia within typical size and appearance ranges. Despite the expansive range of labial shapes and sizes, many women feel self-conscious about their vulval aesthetics. 

If you feel that your labia minora is too visible, asymmetrical, or long, you can consult with the experts at Women’s Health Institute about cosmetic labiaplasty. 

Consult with our team today

If you’re considering labiaplasty for any reason, don’t hesitate to reach out to our offices. Call Women’s Health Institute or book an appointment online to explore the benefits today.