Can i have labiaplasty on the nhs

A labiaplasty is a surgical procedure to reduce the size of the flaps of skin either side of the vaginal opening labia minora. This procedure is restricted to patients that meet a set, eligibility criteria for the treatment. This is because there is a lack of research and clinical evidence to show how effective this procedure is.

If you're thinking about having a labiaplasty, discuss it with your GP first. Your GP may advise you to speak to a counsellor or psychologist before committing to surgery. How much does a labiaplasty cost? Choosing a surgeon If you're having a labiaplasty in England, check with the Care Quality Commission CQC to see if the hospital or clinic is registered with them.

Always book an appointment to meet the surgeon before the procedure. Ask your surgeon: about their qualifications and experience how many labiaplasty operations they've performed how many operations they've performed where there have been complications what sort of follow-up you should expect if things go wrong what their patient satisfaction rates are Read more about choosing who will do your cosmetic procedure.

What a labiaplasty involves A labiaplasty can be done using either a general anaesthetic or a local anaesthetic with sedation. The whole procedure takes about 1 to 2 hours. You may be able to go home the same day.

Recovery You may need up to 2 weeks off work to recover. During this time you need to: keep the area clean and free from infection wear loose underwear and clothes to prevent rubbing avoid sex for about 6 weeks avoid physical activity for 6 to 12 weeks use sanitary towels instead of tampons for a few weeks Your surgeon may give you more specific advice to follow. Side effects It's normal after a labiaplasty to have soreness, bruising and swelling for up to 2 weeks. What could go wrong A labiaplasty can occasionally result in: bleeding infection scarring of tissue reduced sensitivity of the genitals Any type of operation also carries a small risk of: a blood clot in a vein an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic Your surgeon should explain how likely these risks and complications are, and how they would be treated if you have them.

Labiaplasties on the NHS have risen fivefold in the past 10 years. Labiaplasty is the most common type of female genital cosmetic surgery, in which the size of the labia minora is reduced. It can be a treatment for women who have concerns with hygiene, difficulties during sexual intercourse or discomfort when exercising, but some women and girls want surgery because of concerns about the way their genitalia look. In extreme cases this can be linked to body dysmorphic disorder, which causes significant anxieties about body image.

Statistics show that more than 2, labiaplasty operations were performed in on the NHS. Many more are carried out by private clinics but there are no figures available on these procedures, although the RCOG says "the practice of labiaplasty is now widespread". The RCOG paper recommends that women should be offered counselling and psychological treatment for problems such as "body image distress". The paper says: "Education, support and advice should be at the heart of clinical practice, with a sympathetic appreciation of female body insecurities.

Educating women early in their high school years about how our anatomy varies is important. Equally necessary is boosting confidence and body image through education and open discussion. Health professionals must not be afraid to recommend psychological assessment and counselling before agreeing to surgery.

Negative attitudes towards natural female genitalia does not just lead to labiaplasty, but also to the popular practice of removing all or most of one's pubic hair. That hair is there for a reason: to protect the external parts of the female genitalia vulva and removing it - as well as wearing thongs - can lead to chafing, pulling or trapping of skin.

In removing hair, women are also more aware of the appearance of body parts that were previously covered and protected. We don't all look the same, so why would we expect our labias to look the same? We need to encourage young teenagers to love their body and build their confidence. Labiaplasty should not be offered to any woman under the age of 18 as her body is still growing. Ideally, we should offer the procedure only when there is a clear medical reason.

Physical discomfort can often be managed by simple hygiene measures such as using emollients and chemical free sanitary ware, avoiding harsh perfumed toiletries and wearing appropriate underwear. Young women with emotional distress from the appearance of their labia should have mandatory counselling before surgery is embarked upon.