Reduction of excessively large labia minora (the inner ‘lips’ or folds) is becoming popular now that women realise this can be done relatively easily with a good cosmetic appearance.

With a practice nurse present, the woman needs to show the surgeon which parts really bother her and discuss how much tissue needs to be removed to give a neat and tidy appearance. It is best to have the operation clearly explained with the help of anatomy diagrams and photos of the actual procedure. Different amounts of excess tissue can be removed depending on individual variation. A general anaesthetic is advised. It takes about one hour to do the procedure neatly and carefully and thus get a good result. You can go home soon afterwards with a prescription for painkillers, antibiotics and soothing ointment.

Other procedures available for the female genital area include liposuction of the mons pubis fat pad. If this is embarrassingly large/bulky, a neat appearance can usually be obtained. It can be done under local anaesthetic with sedation or under general anaesthetic on its own or as part of a more extensive abdominoplasty or liposuction procedure.

Vaginoplasty or vaginal tightening (posterior colporrhaphy) is becoming more popular once women have completed their families and can be done on its own or in conjunction with reduction labiaplasty. General anaesthetic is required.