Video
Voice Over: 23 year old Claire came to the Embarrassing Bodies clinic concerned because the size of her labia was causing recurrent problems with infection as well as physical and emotional discomfort.
Claire: I have really bad dreams sometimes that I am just so sick of it that I end up cutting it off.
Voice Over: Dr Christian referred Claire to see surgeon Ms Angelica Kavouni to see if she could help.
Ms Kavouni: There is a procedure where we can reduce the size; it is usually done under a light anaesthetic. It is called a labiaplasty or a reduction of the labia minora and basically it means removing the excess skin using a very fine laser and then using some very fine sutures in order to close the wound. It feels somewhat sore so we have to give you some pain killers and also we have to recover you with some antibiotics in order to avoid any infections in the area.
Claire: Once it’s all healed will it look normal?
Ms Kavouni: During the healing phase there is some swelling and bruising and the skin will feel somewhat thickened but that’s not a permanent thing, it does settle down after approximately 4 to 6 weeks and after that it’s not really noticeable.
Claire: I’m relieved, I am so relieved that there’s something I can do about this and that I can just feel like it’s normal for once, it’s really made me happy.
Ms Kavouni: There is a fair amount of skin protruding so I think the procedure is going to make you quite happy, there’s going to be quite a big change.
Voiceover: Claire has taken the difficult decision to have surgery to reduce the size of her labia. She’ll undergo a labiaplasty procedure which can be performed to correct damage caused during childbirth or because the size causes pain during exercise or sexual activity which can lead to low self-esteem.
Ms Kavouni: There is a degree of asymmetry between the 2 sides and also on the right side there is an extra fold that goes up to the clitoris that creates even more bulkiness on that side. So, we’ll try to reduce both sides and make them more symmetrical.
Voiceover: Having put Claire under using a general anaesthetic, Ms Kavouni begins by removing a fold from Claire’s labial area. The excess tissue is removed.
Ms Kavouni: The procedure has become increasingly popular. It’s not common that it’s just a cosmetic procedure, usually there are functional reasons as well and these vary. They have to do with the type of clothing that one wears or how easy it is to do certain sports. It’s quite painful, it’s a piece of tissue that is under pressure and gets pulled and it hurts. Of course it has a major impact on their confidence as well. There have been some concerns, comparing this procedure with female circumcision or other mutilating type of procedures performed by some cultures. It is very clear from this operation itself that one has nothing to do with the other and there is a specific aim of reducing the size of the inner labia in order to increase the comfort that the patient feels.
Voiceover: Next the wound is cauterised to minimise bleeding. Finally, the affected area is stitched up using dissolvable stitches which will help to aid the healing process and avoid an uncomfortable removal procedure.
Ms Kavouni: Now that the extra tissue has been removed they look a lot more symmetrical in terms of size and also it is going to be a lot more comfortable for her. There is considerable swelling and bruising for possibly I would say the first 2 weeks so it’s quite important that she rests. After that it should be OK, most patients are absolutely fine after that.
Claire had a very valid reason for having this operation because there was a lot of excess tissue that was causing her discomfort and affecting her confidence and I’m sure she will be very pleased with her results.
Voiceover: A few months later Claire is back at the clinic to give Dr Christian an update.
Dr Christian: So Claire it’s been what, I think 3 months since you had your operation? All has healed well? It went ok?
Claire: Yeah, absolutely fine. I expected quite a bit of pain but it was only sore for a couple days and pain free.
Dr Christian: And all went according to plan? So, no complications afterwards?
Claire: No, everything was absolutely fine.
Dr Christian: Really, one of the main problems you were having was that you were getting recurrent fungal infections and thrush infections, probably you thought because of this condition. Has that now stopped?
Claire: Since it’s been healed I haven’t had any problems.
Dr Christian: You’ve had nothing since?
Claire: Nothing.
Dr Christian: Well, that’s a good sign. Whereas before you might well have had a few in that time.
Claire: Probably about 3 or so.
Dr Christian: Really? Well that’s good, that’s definitely good. Are you happy with how it looks?
Claire: Yes.
Dr Christian: Because I think psychologically you were very upset and disturbed by the way you looked down below. Has that all now gone?
Claire: I feel a lot more confident now. I found that before it was an area that I would probably look at maybe 3 or 4 times a day when I was going to the toilet and before I was like ‘I can’t stand it’ and ‘I don’t like it’ but now all that’s gone away and I feel a lot better.
Dr Christian: It’s not an issue for you anymore?
Claire: It’s not an issue at all.
Dr Christian: Now listen I want to have a quick look just to make sure it really has all healed up and got better. Do you want to go over to the couch and I will get some gloves, ok?
Dr Christian: All right, let’s have a quick look. Ah, that’s a big difference from how it was before, isn’t it? The first and most obvious thing that I notice is actually now you have pretty good symmetry between the two sides, whereas before when we met the right labia was much, much longer than the left, wasn’t it? But I think over and above that actually is how you are. Psychologically you seem much happier and much more confident with your body.
Claire: Yes.
Dr Christian: And that’s the result that you wanted?
Claire: Definitely.
Dr Christian: Then that’s a good result for me. I’m happy.
23 year old Claire came to the Embarrassing Bodies clinic concerned because the size of her labia was causing recurrent problems with infection as well as physical and emotional discomfort.
Patient Name: Claire Webb
Condition: Enlarged labia minora
Specialist: Ms Angelica Kavouni, Cosmetic Surgeon
Location: Cadogan Clinic, London
Length of Operation: Approx 45 minutes
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Hi women, can I just say I'm a guy and honestly, we are more worried about things like our foreskin than things like your labia size. Even at that, I like a larger labia, as do most guys.
my wife is 10 weeks pregnant she dont want to have sex with me because she,s scared of bleeding and miscarriag.is it right?three days before the tenth week we had sex and the followng day she bled a bit which scared both of us.what can we do abstain from sex ?
hi, i really need someones help either a doctor/nurse or someone suffering from the same circumstances as me. I had a labiaplasty in december 2011 and ive read people saying after 3 months they have seen the final result and are so pleased. I use to have 2 skin tags which protruded and caused major discomfort. I got the op on the nhs, although ive been told everythings healed i went back to the hospital because its very swollen still. very very swollen which makes it sore and diffcult to wear underwear as it rubs. before i use to tuck the skin in but because its ezposed and cut off now i cant push anything in. I have been put on antibiotics but none is working and im developing thrush which makes the sweeling worse and so uncomfortable right now. they said if the medication doesnt work i probably need to go back for another op. im so scared i only wanted an op once. i dont understand why its still puffy i know the layer of skin near the whole wasnt that big but now its all turned into one. When i get checked the doctors look like they have never seen anything like this before. I dont know what to do someone please help im crying everyday, im not leaving the house i just dont know im lost and im trying to get to see the person who did my op but she is not seeing me. Is anyone in the same situaton as me or knows anyone or is a doctor? please help, im eventually going to be depressed i cant sleep because of it and im tired :( thank u x
i have extremely long libiya and and rubbs and chaffes my clothings and also during sex. please help me fix this as i in sefere discomfort and ambarrassment
omg me too i am 19 and have this problem its something that came about after i was sexually attacked its botherd me for years after and is destrpying my sex life i cant afford the 4 grand prosedure and wish can anyone help me !! its causing me disconfort and gets in the way of my clothes x
I have leukoplakia vulva. I don't know anyone else that has it. I will always have it and can only be treated with creams. White ulcers on my labia, painful itchy and sore. Can anyone advice please?
Ever since I became sexually active,my labia has just grown from nowhere.It's causing infections I'm too afraid to know what they are.It just has to go but I don't have money to even visit an OB/GYN for a consultation.I'm miserable.
hi dont no if anyone can help have bin to my local hospital to get help in having my labia rejuiced or removed but i have been refused this even tho its causing me lot of discomfort in day to day things i exerciseing,intercourse.This was a second apoinion aswell by a female doctor as this first one i saw was male and both of them thing am just wanting is Tidy Lady parts but all i want is to be comfortable doing day to day things is this really wrong and what can i do now please can anyone help me ??
I am 13 and i have my labial alarged what should i do and it looks purple
I have enlarged lips and generally I havn't been bothered by it. The problem is for me sometimes after sex they are very swollen and its looks awful. Anyone got any tips?
Hi Ladies (Young and Mature), Please read my entry from "Voice(of Experience)of 25 Sept.2011" on this site under the heading "Enlarged Labia". In brief, You might be surprised at the fact that many men find an enlarged labia (majora or minora) beautiful and sexually stimulating to view. And many others don't really pay that close of attention, they're just happy to be there!;) So just Relax, be proud of the sexy, unique vulva you have, and "Enjoy" the pleasure it can provide. :)