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Labia minora hypertrophy: causes, impact on women’s health, and treatment options

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

We provide a review of the literature about the onset and development of hypertrophy of the labia minora, together with some expert opinions on the appropriateness of labiaplasty.

Methods

We searched PubMed and used popular search engines, with a greater emphasis on the physiology and hormone-mediated metabolism of these structures, and less emphasis on their surgical treatment.

Results

We describe major embryological, cytological, and biochemical features of this anatomical part and summarize the clinical aspects of its hypertrophy, evaluating types of discomfort reported by women and the medical treatments available. Also, based on what is known about the artificial elongation and spontaneous hypertrophy of the inner labia, we illustrate and discuss the main biological factors that may trigger this medical condition. There are not enough data identifying a clear inheritance of inner labia hypertrophy in the absence of other pathological conditions; instead, we found indirect evidence for an association with transient episodes of local inflammation either before birth or during puberty. We also analyze the role played by estrogen receptors and other factors with regard to the onset of this condition and highlight the importance of their timing in determining the size of women’s labia minora. Remarkably, most cases of enlarged labia minora should be considered as outliers that are within the physiological range of size variation described for these structures.

Conclusions

We generally advise against surgical treatment of labia minora, especially in young, pre-pubertal girls, unless specific medical conditions are also present and/or the psychological impact on the patient is deemed particularly negative.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Urology, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy

    Caterina Gulia

  2. Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo Forlanini, UOC Pediatric Surgery and Urology, Rome, Italy

    Andrea Zangari & Vito Briganti

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital Pavilion for Women, 6651 Main Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA

    Zhoobin H. Bateni

  4. Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, 450 West Drive, Campus Box: 7295, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA

    Alessandro Porrello

  5. Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Italian National Research Council, Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Sapienza, Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome, Italy

    Roberto Piergentili

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  1. Caterina Gulia
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  2. Andrea Zangari
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  3. Vito Briganti
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  4. Zhoobin H. Bateni
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  5. Alessandro Porrello
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  6. Roberto Piergentili
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Correspondence to Alessandro Porrello or Roberto Piergentili.

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First co-authors: C. Gulia and A. Zangari

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Gulia, C., Zangari, A., Briganti, V. et al. Labia minora hypertrophy: causes, impact on women’s health, and treatment options. Int Urogynecol J 28, 1453–1461 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-016-3253-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-016-3253-8

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