What is Labiaplasty?

Since I'm primarily focusing this project on a surgical procedure known as labiaplasty (also called labioplasty) I thought I'd start off with a post on what the procedure actually is.

Labiaplasty is the surgical reduction of the labia minora, and is achieved by cutting and reshaping the external vaginal organs. The procedure is many times included with vaginal rejuvenation surgery, a procedure which tightens the vaginal canal to achieve a "virginal" state. The procedure is also commonly accompanied by clitoral hood reduction surgery, a procedure which reduces the clitoral hood to either enhance sexual pleasure or for aesthetic reasons.

In some cases labiaplasty is performed as a necessary procedure; women can sometimes feel physical discomfort due to protruding labia, and may be more susceptible to infections. However, women in increasing numbers are getting the surgery for cosmetic reasons. Many women feel emotional discomfort due to the size, shape, and appearance of their labia. Much of what they feel has been heavily influenced by the images they seen in pornography, or the images their partners see in pornography.

There is little statistical information on "designer vaginas," although labiaplasty is considered to be the fastest growing form of cosmetic surgery. British doctors and researchers have attributed the growing numbers of vaginal cosmetic surgery recipients to the increased access and desensitization to pornography in mainstream culture.

Many women report wanting the procedure for what would be considered psychological reasons, foregoing their own sexual pleasure in order to feel more comfortable in front of a partner. Many women cite the reasons for wanting the procedure, once reserved mainly for those in the porn industry, are due to comments received by a male partner, who are influenced by the tidily airbrushed labia they are exposed to in soft-core porn magazines. There is debate on some of the side effects of labiaplasty and how they effect sexual pleasure as well. Many women report decreased sensitivity or even pain during intercourse, scarring, bleeding, or increased susceptibility to infections, while others report an increase in sexual pleasure and boosts in self-esteem. Even with this coin toss, women are opting for the surgery primarily for aesthetic reasons, in order to appear more neat, tidy, or clean.