Ten Questions Patients Undergoing Labiaplasty Should Ask Their Surgeon

To better educate the patient about labiaplasty, as well as assisting in formulating realistic expectations, it is recommended that the patient look at before and after photographs, speak with previous patients, (you are always welcome to ask your doctor for referrals to previous patients and where to contact them) and get answers to the following questions:

* Are the desired results I described realistic?
* Where is the labiaplasty minora performed and how long will it take?
* In my case, which labia minora technique is most appropriate?
* What kind of anesthesia will the surgeon use during the surgery?
* How much does labiaplasty cost and what other elements factor into that cost (i.e., hospital fee, anesthesia, etc)?
* What is the surgeon's level of experience in performing labiaplasty?
* What percentage of patients experience complications with the labiaplasty?
* What is the surgeon's policy in regard to correcting or repeating the procedure if the labiaplasty does not meet agreed upon goals?
* What should I expect, post-operatively, in terms of soreness, scaring, activity level and so on?
* Have you ever had your malpractice insurance coverage denied, revoked or suspended?

However, don't limit yourself to these questions. If there is something you do not understand about labiaplasty, do not hesitate in asking the doctor any questions you might have.

In addition, it is important that patients undergoing labia minora reduction relay to their surgeon information regarding any allergies and serious medical conditions they may have. Furthermore, patients should inform the surgeon of any medications they are taking.

This site provides information about plastic/cosmetic surgery and is designed to help users make decisions regarding their own treatment options. But medical information is not the same as medical advice -- the application of medical treatment to a person's specific circumstances. Although we go to great lengths to make sure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend you consult a qualified medical practitioner if you want professional assurance that our information, and your interpretation of it, is appropriate to your particular situation.

Vulvar Cancer

What is vulvar cancer?

Vulvar cancer is a malignancy that can occur on any part of the external organs, but most often affects the labia majora or labia minora. According the American Cancer Society, about 3,490 cases of cancer of the vulva will be diagnosed in the US in 2007. Cancer of the vulva is a rare disease, which accounts for 0.6 percent of all cancers in women, and may form slowly over many years. Nearly 90 percent of vulvar cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. Melanoma is the second most common type of vulvar cancer, usually found in the labia minora or clitoris. Other types of vulvar cancer include:

* adenocarcinoma
* Paget's disease
* sarcomas
* verrucous carcinoma
* basal cell carcinoma

What is a risk factor?

A risk factor is anything that may increase a person's chance of developing a disease. It may be an activity, such as smoking, diet, family history, or many other things. Different diseases, including cancers, have different risk factors.

Although these factors can increase a person's risk, they do not necessarily cause the disease. Some people with one or more risk factors never develop cancer, while others develop cancer and have no known risk factors.

But, knowing your risk factors to any disease can help to guide you into the appropriate actions, including changing behaviors and being clinically monitored for the disease.
What are risk factors for vulvar cancer?

The following have been suggested as risk factors for vulvar cancer:

* age - of the women who develop vulvar cancer, three-fourths are over age 50, and half are over age 70
* chronic vulvar inflammation
* infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV)
* human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
* lichen sclerosus - can cause the vulval skin to become very itchy and may slightly increase the possibility of vulvar cancer
* melanoma or atypical moles on non-vulvar skin - a family history of melanoma and dysplastic nevi anywhere on the body may increase the risk of vulvar cancer
* low socioeconomic status
* vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) - there is an increased risk for vulvar cancer in women with VIN, although most cases do not progress to cancer
* other genital cancers
* smoking

What are the symptoms of vulvar cancer?

The following are the most common symptoms of vulvar cancer. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

* constant itching
* changes in the color and the way the vulva looks
* bleeding or discharge not related to menstruation
* severe burning/itching or pain
* skin of the vulva looks white and feels rough

The symptoms of vulvar cancer may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Consult a physician for diagnosis.
How can vulvar cancer be prevented?

The cause of vulvar cancer is not known at this time, however, certain risk factors are suspected as contributors to the development of the disease. Suggestions for prevention include:

* Avoid known risk factors when possible.
* Delay onset of sexual activity.
* Use condoms.
* Do not smoke.
* Have regular physical checkups.
* Have routine Pap tests and pelvic examinations.
* Routinely check entire body for irregular growth of moles.

How is vulvar cancer diagnosed?

Vulvar cancer is diagnosed by biopsy, removing a section of tissue for examination in a laboratory by a pathologist.
Treatment for vulvar cancer:

Specific treatment for vulvar cancer will be determined by your physician(s) based on:

* your overall health and medical history
* extent of the disease
* your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
* expectations for the course of the disease
* your opinion or preference

Treatment for patients with cancer of the vulva may include:

* surgery, including:
o laser surgery - use of a powerful beam of light, which can be directed to specific parts of the body without making a large incision, to destroy abnormal cells
o excision - the cancer cells and a margin of normal appearing skin around the cancer is removed
o vulvectomy - surgical removal of part of all of the tissues of the vulvar
* radiation therapy
* chemotherapy

Labia Minora: to Cut or Not!

By Peter Clarkez

I have always been an admirer of large labia minora, or to put it bluntly, pussy lips. Only recently (probably because I am not a women, and don’t spend time in medical or health forums looking up articles on vaginas) I discovered to my horror that many women have complexes about them, and even seek surgery to rid themselves of what they consider to be unsightly and unnecessary skin that gets in the way.

I wanted to weep. If only these women knew the truth about how many men and women feel.

Entering a search for this term, I am flabbergasted to find such postings, typical of so many on chat sites and in medical/health forums:

“Hello. I'm 19 year old female and I can say that in a past few years I'm feeling really miserable and depressed. You see, about five years ago I have noticed that my labia minora are too big. When I saw how normal vagina should look like, I was sure that I'm some kind of freak.

I'm very embarrassed about this and even thinking about the fact that someone could actually see this- is terrifying for me.

I haven’t talked about this with my parents because I doubt they could understand this.

Please help me! Any response would be greatly appreciated! “

One can hear the sheer agony of this poor girl. Who told her her vagina was not normal? Where does she get the idea that her labia minora “are too big”?

Thank goodness, scrolling down the forum page a little, this 19 year old could view this reply:

“Hiya! im 16 and have had the same problem since i noticed my inner labia looked realy big when i was 13. it made me feel very upset aswell and i convinced my mum to let me have surgery to fix it now that im 16. im telling you... ITS NOT WORTH IT! its expensive painful and you feel like crap after it and to be honest i dont think they look that much smaller because the doctor didnt thnk its a gud idea to cut a lot off. and recently i gt a new boyfriend and was very worried about how he'd react to my labia being quite big and he didnt seem to care at all! seriously! so please dnt get yourself upset about it and surgery isnt realy worth it either “

While I am happy for the girl that the doctor “didn’t thnk it’s a gud idea to cut a lot off,” quite frankly I think the doctor should have been taken to task for cutting anything off. Surely s/he should have known the girl might feel differently later on?

The point is there is a growing number of men and women who simply lavish in the celebration and delight of looking at and playing with large pussy lips, or labia minora. And why not? It’s fun. I might have expected women, in fact, with little or no extension, to complain; surely enlongated lips are an asset, not a problem? Bravo to Freud’s penis envy theory! And I can imagine women, without them, seeking surgery to have them extended. Now that’s a good idea! But to cut them off?

Of course there are exceptional cases where the extension of the labia interferes with normal daily activities, such as riding a bike, causing irritation with certain clothing; even then, I’d say seek advice before arbitrarily cutting. I feel strongly, as do many, that this kind of surgery should be seen as simple mutilation.



Few people realise that one of the most horrific facts about Africa is genital mutilation on a massive scale. There are 8 million young girls each year that go through the most horrific form of mutilation, in the name of circumcision. In most cases with a razor blade: older women simply slice any excess skin off their vagina. Few if any of these young girls have access to the internet where they can share their horror, sadness or confusion with others. They are simply expected to hand over their bodies to a cruel, ancient and barbaric practise in the name of ‘culture’ or tradition. Thank goodness this, commonly known as FGM (female genital mutilation), is outlawed in nearly all civilized countries.

I feel that we have two clearly demarcated entities that comprise our being: our minds and our bodies. What we do with both determines our destiny. So many women have so many hang-ups about their bodies, and it is such a shame. Is it not enough that so many battle with weight loss, or a poor body image, but then to still have to imagine that their vagina looks different or ugly? I must assume (not having had the chance to view every one!) that every single vagina, like every breast is different.

Surely one should celebrate this difference? If a woman has small breasts, they are not in any way inferior to large ones, except in the mind of a partner who desperately wants large boobs. I, as with many men and women, actually prefer very small breasts. Large, bulbous nipples on an almost flat breast does it for me, if you really want to know!

If your partner is not happy with your size, breasts, feet or labia, get rid of them (the partner, not the labia, feet or breast). You have something unique to offer, not only in your personality but very much also in your body. Fall in love with it; see the Vagina Monologues, get a vibrator and a mirror and take a long hard look; use your fingers and if you have a partner, especially one that loves the way you look, use him or her to discover your limits. You will discover, of course, that the problem rests in your mind. And that is easier and cheaper to change than breast tissue, or God forbid, vaginal tissue. A sex therapist/councillor is also a good idea; they will support you and help you to become entirely comfortable with the way you look.

I can also direct you to a sensual erotic nudes site that celebrates this particular physical beauty. Trust me, if you thought yours were large, see some of the pictures of women on this site; there is even one who uses hers as a fashion accessory, and beautifully too. You will need to be comfortable viewing explicit material, although it is almost exclusively a celebration of nude photography and artistic eroticism. Go to the freegalleries, or the section dedicated to labia minora and I am sure you will find a way of joining so many others in the celebration of erotic beauty that I believe should be thoroughly enjoyed and flaunted with pride.

On the sensual erotic nudes site you will find a link to a labia site that is dedicated to nothing else but the celbration of the labia minora itself, and which will surely give you a confidence boost, with some great ideas how to flaunt and enjoy your wonderful asset, and, believe it or not, tools and suggestions as to how to enlarge your own labia minora! It’s a feast!

If you listen carefully enough you will hear crowds of men and women cheering when large labia minora or pussy lips are spoken of or written about. There are people who go wild over them. Find them, if you are sexually mature enough to do so and if not, then find your own centre of sexual energy and have a good time discovering just how sensual you are. Let the celebration begin!

Her puffy labia are bursting out of her tiny sexy shorts

If she bends over just a little more, her big puffy labia will burst out of her tiny ripped jeans shorts!

You wonder how her vulva looks like without these sexy shorts? See the picture below!



Yes, very puffy inner and outer labia!

Taking care of your labia

Being a self-respecting woman you probably know exactly how your vulva looks like. Every so often you'll get out the hand mirror to see how your kitty is doing, proudly grooming it, shaving it, balming and salving it to have it look and feel its best. You know that your vulva is an integral part of your sexiness and that men just love exploring it. Taking care of your vulva boosts your self-esteem—in and out of the sack—and all but guarantees more sex for you, especially oral sex!

Clit piercings and labia rings

A clit or labia piercing—of the labia minora, majora or clitoris hood—is quite popular the last few years. Until the late nineties, a woman with rings in her labia or clit was always associated with the BDSM scene. But like other types of body piercings, adding rings to the vulva is now accepted as just another way of decorating the body.

As with most fashions and fads, it's female pop stars and Hollywood personalities that are leading the way for genital piercings to become a common procedure. Christina Aguilera for instance was known for wearing a diamond stud in her clitoral hood, that is until the sexy singer removed all but her right nipple ring