Labia minora are the skin folds situated on either side of the vaginal opening. These ‘lips’ surround and protect the clitoris and the openings of the urethra and vagina.
Labia minora are framed by the labia majora, otherwise known as the outer labia, which are larger and fattier. At the Cadogan Clinic, our surgeons carry out surgery on the labia minora.
This type of surgery is called labiaplasty. It can be carried out using either a general anaesthetic or a local anaesthetic with sedation.
The procedure involves shortening or reshaping the vaginal lips. The unwanted tissue is cut away with a scalpel or possibly a laser, and the loose edge may be stitched up with fine, dissolvable stitches.
The whole procedure takes about one to two hours. All patients are able to go home the same day.