Female genital cosmetology is on the rise. It is a product of cultural norms and a woman’s perceived concept of beauty. Developments in technology and fashion have changed the notion of beauty. The size, shape and colour of labia vary significantly (Masters et al., Human sexuality. Collins College Publishers, 1995). Besides the desire to correct aesthetically unpleasant genitalia (it is an individual perception as there are no standard genital aesthetics) local discomfort, sexual difficulties, interference with wearing tight clothes, and being uncomfortable while doing sports like horse riding are motivational factors for Labiaplasty. Difficulty in maintaining local hygiene and chronic urinary tract infection may also be motivating factors.
Demand for labia minoraplasty is much higher than that of labia majora. According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon 2017 statistics, the demand for labia minoraplasty has risen by 217.2% from 2012 to 2017.
The goal of labiaplasty is to eliminate functional problems, create aesthetic lips, reduce discomfort during some everyday activities and make sexual intercourse more pleasant. Psychological benefits are there for patients who are anxious about the appearance of their genital organs.
The clitoris has an important role for women in sexual pleasure and to reach an orgasm. It is present in upper part of the vaginal opening and a junction of thousands of nerve endings and is covered with skin. The skin surrounding the clitoris and known as clitoral hood, may be larger and saggier in some women. This can affect some women’s sexual satisfaction or make them feel uncomfortable aesthetically. This can be taken care of by cliteroplasty.