Why Labiaplasty Surgery is Growing in Popularity
Labiaplasty is a delicate but fairly common surgical procedure performed to shorten the length of the folds of skin on either side of the vaginal opening. Labiaplasty can help a woman feel more confident about her appearance during intimate moments – as well as reduce the pain or discomfort that often accompanies a large or distended labia.
In this article, Toledo area board certified urogynecologist Dr. Andrew Croak discusses the increase in popularity of labiaplasty surgery in recent years.
Labiaplasty Statistics
When you consider that a recent clinical study reported that labiaplasty is the fourth most popular cosmetic surgery performed in the United States, it is no surprise that Dr. Croak has performed hundreds of labiaplasty surgeries. And, in a separate study, labiaplasty was actually named the fastest-growing plastic surgery procedure in the world.
In 2016, the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) also reported that there had been a 45% increase in labiaplasty surgeries over the previous year!
Why More Women Are Now Getting Labiaplasty Surgery
This recent surge of interest in labiaplasty surgery is likely attributable to a combination of numerous factors. Below we list three of the biggest influences on women’s desire to undergo this life-changing procedure.
#1. Changing Grooming Practices Leads to More Labiaplasty Surgeries
Cultural norms surrounding both feminine hygiene and sexual activity have changed dramatically over the last decade – especially among millenials and members of Gen X and Gen Z. A recent study of university students published by the Journal of Sexual Medicine, reported that a full 95% of participants had removed some or all of their pubic hair at least once in the last four weeks.
With the increase in shaving and waxing of women’s pubic hair, a woman’s labia is now much more visible during intimacy – making women more conscious of the appearance of their genitalia. So it is not unexpected that women with protruding, asymmetrical, wrinkled, or misshapen labia have increasingly turned to labiaplasty to improve the appearance of their feminine area.
#2. Increase in Athletics Leads to More Labiaplasty Surgery
The last decade has seen a dramatic increase in the pursuit of fitness, as well as measurable growth in the number of women who participate in sports. But a large or protruding labia can cause chafing, discomfort and even intense pain during athletic activities.
An oversized or distended labia can interfere with everything from certain yoga positions, to sitting on a hard bicycle seat, to running a marathon. Additionally, some such women feel self-conscious about the possibility of their distended labia protruding in the locker room, or when wearing a bathing suit or shorts.
But reducing the labia lips via labiaplasty surgery can enable women to participate in the sports and physical activities they enjoy, without labia pain or embarrassment. For this reason many active women turn to labiaplasty surgery.
#3. Reduced Plastic Surgery Stigma Leads to More Labiaplasty Surgeries
While admitting to any type of plastic surgery used to be taboo, today’s generation of women enthusiastically embrace cosmetic surgical procedures as a means of taking control of their own appearance. As celebrities and influencers openly discuss their own cosmetic surgeries, women today feel more empowered to address any body issues that bother them.
So, women who are unhappy with the size, shape or appearance of their labia, no longer feel they have to simply suffer in silence. In much the same way as breast augmentation surgery can improve body image, labiaplasty surgery can help a woman love her body and achieve greater self-confidence!
Labiaplasty Surgery – Toledo Area
Many women wrongly believe that it is abnormal for their labia “lips” to extend past the labia majora – but this is actually quite common. And there is really no “normal” genitalia – just as there is no one single “normal” size or shape of nose or lips. But for women who are physically or aesthetically uncomfortable with the size or shape of their labia, labiaplasty surgery offers a safe, attractive and permanent solution.
However, keep in mind that as labiaplasty popularity continues to grow, patients should only trust surgery on their most delicate and intimate areas to a board certified women’s surgeon. Dr. Croak is one of only a few specialized urogynecologists in the country, having studied at the renowned Mayo Clinic where he gained world-class, state-of-the-art technical skills.
Dr. Croak has dedicated his practice to women’s healthcare and prides himself on helping women improve their quality of life and feel more comfortable in their own body. He has performed hundreds of labiaplasty surgeries, and would be happy to schedule a consultation to discuss whether labiaplasty surgery may be right for you.
