Female Genital Aesthetics
Genital aesthetic concerns—an issue many women feel embarrassed to talk about—can be corrected with aesthetic surgical methods. These procedures not only enhance self-confidence by improving appearance but also contribute to better sexual health and overall quality of life from a functional standpoint.
Differences or changes in the proportions, size, and color of the anatomical structures in this area are the primary reasons for genital aesthetic surgery and can significantly affect the sexual lives of individuals and couples. Therefore, the female genital area should be evaluated as a whole, and any intervention should be planned within an integrated approach.
Labia Minora Reduction (Labiaplasty – Reduction of the Inner Lips)
Among female genital aesthetic procedures, labia minora reduction is perhaps the most commonly performed surgery. The labia minora (inner lips) may be larger than normal due to congenital factors, childbirth, or significant weight gain and loss. This condition can cause discomfort when choosing or wearing underwear, swimsuits, or bikinis; lead to embarrassment during sexual activity; cause pain during intercourse when the tissue folds inward; and create hygiene-related issues such as moisture-induced fungal infections. All of these factors may lead to physical discomfort and emotional distress for women.
Marital status—whether married or single—makes no difference when correcting genital abnormalities. Aesthetic genital procedures have no effect on the hymen, urinary tract, or a woman’s ability to become pregnant.
The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia within approximately 45 minutes, and patients can be discharged home the same day. Dissolvable sutures are used, so there is no need for stitch removal.
A few days of swelling and edema in the genital area are common after the procedure. Sutures typically heal within 1–2 weeks, and during this period, simple postoperative care with antibiotic ointment and antiseptic solution is sufficient.
Since incision lines in genital procedures usually heal without problems, scarring is generally minimal to none. Patients can resume their normal sexual life after about 4 weeks.
Vaginoplasty (Vaginal Tightening)
Vaginoplasty is the second most commonly performed female genital aesthetic surgery after labia minora reduction.
Excessive widening of the vagina may be due to structural factors or may result from birth trauma following multiple vaginal deliveries, leading to loss of integrity or tone of the vaginal muscles.
This condition can negatively affect the sexual lives of couples. Air escaping from the vagina during intercourse may cause embarrassment for women. With menopause, the loss of muscle tone (tightness) in this area, together with vaginal dryness, can further worsen the condition—often becoming a sensitive issue that significantly affects a woman’s quality of life.
Straining during activities such as bowel movements may cause the rectum (rectocele) or bladder (cystocele) to herniate into the vaginal canal, and involuntary urinary leakage may accompany vaginal widening.
Before planning the procedure, it is essential to thoroughly evaluate all of the patient’s symptoms and perform a detailed examination. If rectal or bladder prolapse is present, this must be identified prior to surgery, and it should be determined whether these conditions also need to be treated. Vaginoplasty should not be considered merely as narrowing a tube; rather, it should be understood as the repair of muscle structures whose function and integrity have been compromised, along with correction of any existing defects. Therefore, describing the procedure as “vaginal rejuvenation” rather than simply “vaginal tightening” would be more accurate.
The procedure usually takes 1–2 hours and can be performed under local, spinal, or general anesthesia. A vaginal tampon placed during surgery is typically removed later that night or the following morning. Patients usually stay in the hospital for one night. After a 3–5 day rest period, daily activities may be resumed gradually and with caution. For patients with external sutures, postoperative care with antiseptic solution after routine bathroom use is generally sufficient.
Patients can typically resume sexual activity 6–8 weeks after surgery. They should follow their doctor’s recommendations regarding when and how to restart intercourse, and they are advised to inform their partners about the doctor’s guidance before their first sexual attempt after surgery.
In cases where muscle repair is performed, patients must avoid postoperative constipation, refrain from lifting heavy objects, and avoid strenuous physical activity during the recovery period.
Labia Majora Aesthetics (Large Outer Labia Aesthetic Surgery)
The labia majora (the hair-bearing outer lips surrounding the labia minora) in the female external genital area may become prone to sagging due to loss of volume or excess skin, either genetically or as a result of aging.
If the problem is a deflated appearance caused by volume loss, fat injection (lipofilling or fat grafting) into the labia majora can be performed to restore fullness. This procedure involves harvesting fat cells from any suitable area of the body using liposuction (a vacuum-assisted fat removal technique) and injecting them into the labia majora to restore lost volume.
The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia with sedation and typically takes about 45 minutes. Patients can return home the same day. Swelling and edema in the area may persist for 3–7 days after the procedure. No visible scars remain in the treated area.
Another issue related to the labia majora is excessive skin, which can only be corrected through surgical excision. This procedure also takes approximately 45 minutes under local anesthesia with sedation. Following surgery, horizontal or vertical scars may remain on the labia majora or in the natural crease between the labia and the groin fold. After 1–2 weeks of postoperative dressing care, wound healing is generally completed. However, it may take months for these scars to fade, and this method is not a scar-free procedure. Therefore, patients selected for this technique should be carefully evaluated and fully informed about the final surgical outcomes.
Correction of Birth Scars (Episiotomy Scar Revision)
During normal childbirth, an incision called an episiotomy may be made at the vaginal entrance to allow the baby to pass more easily through the birth canal. In some cases, this incision may heal poorly or may not be repaired adequately, resulting in an unsightly scar or causing pain during sexual intercourse.
Typically, under local anesthesia with sedation, the procedure takes about 30 minutes. The problematic scar tissue is excised, and the area is reconstructed using atraumatic, non-reactive sutures. Patients are usually discharged on the same day. Wound healing is generally achieved after 1–2 weeks of postoperative dressing care.
Labia Majora Aesthetics (Large Outer Labia Aesthetic Surgery)
The labia majora (the hair-bearing outer lips surrounding the labia minora) in the female external genital area may become prone to sagging due to loss of volume or excess skin, either genetically or as a result of aging.
If the issue is a deflated appearance caused by volume loss, fat injection (lipofilling or fat grafting) into the labia majora can be performed to restore fullness. This procedure involves harvesting fat cells from any suitable area of the body using liposuction— a vacuum-assisted fat removal technique— and injecting them into the labia majora to correct the loss of volume.
The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia with sedation and typically takes about 45 minutes. Patients can return home the same day. Swelling and edema in the area may persist for 3–7 days following the procedure. No visible scars remain in the treated area.
If the issue is excessive skin of the labia majora, correction can only be achieved by surgically removing the excess skin. This procedure also takes approximately 45 minutes under local anesthesia with sedation. After surgery, horizontal scars may appear on the labia majora or vertical scars may form between the labia and the groin fold. Following 1–2 weeks of postoperative dressing care, wound healing is generally completed. However, it may take months for these scars to soften and fade, and this technique is not scar-free. Therefore, patients selected for this method should be carefully evaluated and fully informed about the final expected results of the surgery.
Mons Pubis Aesthetics
The mons pubis is the inverted triangular, hair-bearing area located above the vagina. In some women, this area may appear overly prominent due to the accumulation of fat beneath the skin.
This procedure, essentially liposuction applied to the mons pubis, is typically performed under local anesthesia and takes about 30 minutes. Patients can return home the same day. It should be noted that swelling and edema in the area may persist for approximately 7–10 days. The final results of the procedure become visible after about one month.
Clitoroplasty (Clitoral Aesthetic Surgery)
Excess or prominent skin over the clitoris may not only create an aesthetically unfavorable appearance but may also contribute to orgasm-related difficulties.
This procedure is performed under local anesthesia and typically takes around 30 minutes, after which patients are discharged. In appropriate cases, clitoroplasty not only provides aesthetic improvement but can also help facilitate orgasm.
