Photo by: Letticia Massari
While labiaplasty continues to be a relatively unknown and unspoken cosmetic procedure for women, recent statistics show its rising popularity. According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), the number of labiaplasty procedures performed in 2013 increased by 44 percent. As a leading New England cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Mark X. Lowney has seen a growing amount of women seeking labiaplasty to alter the shape or size of their labia minora (inner lips). Here, Dr. Lowney discusses the reasons for this growing demand.
RELIEVING EVERYDAY DISCOMFORT AND PAIN
Women with large labia minora sometimes experience pain or discomfort during daily activities. For example, large vaginal lips can rub against clothing or skin while a woman is running or riding a bicycle, causing painful chafing or irritation. This discomfort can make it difficult for women to wear tight clothing, such as jeans or leggings.
Other women may have trouble urinating properly. Large or unevenly shaped inner vaginal lips can make it difficult for urine to properly enter the toilet, causing a woman to soil her buttocks and legs. This can cause hygienic problems or embarrassing wet spots on clothes.
ENHANCING PLEASURE DURING SEXUAL INTERCOURSE
A common reason why women undergo labiaplasty is to relieve discomfort during sex. Enlarged inner labia can be pulled and dragged into the vagina during intercourse, which can be both uncomfortable and embarrassing. Labiaplasty prevents this from happening by removing hanging, excess skin from the inner lips.
Some women with unevenly shaped or enlarged labia may feel uncomfortable being nude in front of their sexual partners. Labiaplasty can reshape the inner lips to create a more symmetrical, aesthetically pleasing look, allowing women to feel more confident and comfortable during sexual intercourse.
BOOSTING SELF-CONFIDENCE
As women age, the skin on the female genitalia can become looser, causing excess skin to sag or hang. Women oftentimes experience this after childbirth as well. Unsightly changes in the vaginal region can make a woman self-conscious and uncomfortable in both intimate and public settings. Enlarged labia minora can create unsightly and embarrassing bulges while wearing a bathing suit or tight clothing. Other times, a woman may be embarrassed to change in front of people at the gym. Labiaplasty can resize and reshape a woman’s labia minora for an improved vaginal appearance, boosting a woman’s self-confidence both in private and public situations.
ABOUT THE PROCEDURE
At Advanced Body Sculpting of New England, Dr. Mark X. Lowney performs safe and easy labiaplasty procedures on women of all ages and backgrounds. During the initial one-on-one consultation, Dr. Lowney will discuss with the patient what she hopes to accomplish with labiaplasty. During the procedure, the patient is placed under local anesthesia while Dr. Lowney trims the extra skin on the labia. The edges of the labia are sutured together. The sutures later melt away quickly and painlessly. The procedure is performed in about 30 minutes and most women are fully recovered within two weeks.
REACH OUT TO DR. MARK X. LOWNEY
If you have any of the concerns or problems mentioned above, Dr. Lowney can help. Dr. Lowney is the first and only double board-certified physician in New England in both obstetrics and gynecology as well as cosmetic surgery. Schedule a one-on-one appointment by calling Advanced Body Sculpting of New England at (877) 577-5476.
