Labiaplasty

[MountainandRoad]

I've read of women having a labiaplasty done for cosmetic reasons, does anyone have any experience with this for athletic reasons? I ride A LOT and this is an ongoing irritating condition. I don't know who to ask about this, because I think its a fairly new procedure. Can anyone offer any insight from personal experience? Its all over the mags as a cosmetic procedure, but that really isn't the issue with me. I hope you guys don't think I'm weird for asking this but my Gyn doc had never heard of it, and my tri buddy suggested I ask in a forum...

[runnergirl]

Considering that the procedure would mean at least 8 weeks off the bike, I'd try every possible combination of chamios and saddle first! Not to mention the possibility of complications in that area are scary.

How many saddles have you tried?

[Trek420]

If I had any discomfort I'd rather spend the money on a new bike.

[MountainandRoad]

I've got a good saddle, and would you site your sources for your comments about "scary complications" other than maybe rumor? I was hoping for someone with personal experience. There are some things you can't fix with any kind of saddle, and believe me, I've tried more than a few, with cutouts etc. its not the saddle that is the problem. If you don't have the problem, then you probably don't know what I mean...I can tell you, its not the optimum.

[MountainandRoad]

The thing is, it gets in the way of everything, not just cycling, although cycling is the worst. I've got the best Pearl Izumi microsensor shorts with a pad thick enough to land a plane on, chamois butter blah blah blah..and you are right about 8 weeks off the bike...which is almost worse than the problem LOL

[runnergirl]

If you google the procedure, which I'm sure you have, there are risks (like with any proceudre), nerve damage in particular worries me. I have a condition called vulvar vestibulitis, thankfully I'm still able to ride, but am unable to have sex (caused by excess growth of nerves etc). Depending on how the labiaplasty is performed, it sounds like some of the same nerves could be damaged-but that depends on your specific anatomy-only a surgeon could identify the risks in your case. It sounds like you're ready to see a surgeon-they might even be able to put you in touch with women who have had the procedure.

[JanT]

My personal opinion: proceed cautiously! My next door neighbor's friend was in good shape, but unhappy with the little bulge around her belly button. She went in for liposuction, and that night a blood clot lodged in her heart and killed her. Surgery is surgery, and there are risks. Just be sure that the pros outway the cons for you. Good luck, whatever you choose.

[missjulied]

The thing is, it gets in the way of everything, not just cycling, although cycling is the worst. I've got the best Pearl Izumi microsensor shorts with a pad thick enough to land a plane on, chamois butter blah blah blah..and you are right about 8 weeks off the bike...which is almost worse than the problem LOL

I find that the thicker the pad, the more pressure is put on that area. What's the point of a seat with a cutout if your shorts are just pressing into your crotch anyway? You might consider trying shorts with a little more breathing room, to take advantage of a cutout saddle.

Good Luck!

[justduckie06]

If I'm correct, I believe that this topic was on a fairly recent episode of Law and order. Obviously they were covering the non medical side of it, but it was pretty wild. I had no idea about this until I saw the show then did a little more investigating myself. It's totally scary. I've had some of my own issues in the nether regions and it's definitely not comfortable to ride with, but it's just one of those grin and bare it times. I mean I've been riding bikes and horses since I was a kid and I've always wanted to know how the heck guys do it!?! It's hard enough being a girl! So I'd never opt for the surgery. but definitely, definitely look for doctors!!! I had surgery on the nerves in my ankle, what should have been a 50 minute outpatient surgery and ended up being in surgery for 8 hours! And the nerves are permanently messed up now. So be careful if you decide to have surgery!

[yesidid]

OK. When I was considering labiaplasty, I read these boards. The comments about it being sexual mutilation, etc. is just wrong. I have been considering doing an Ironman; however, because of pain on my labia, I could not tolerate more than five hours on a bike. Yes. I had great bike shorts. Yes. I had the best bike seat. Yes. I had my bike re-fitted many times. Ironman training was out because I couldn't do it. I did the surgery in the "off season" and took about six weeks off the bike. The painful recovery time was supposed to be 1-2 weeks. I have to admit, I had discomfort for about five full weeks. It was very frustrating and I thought I made a huge mistake. I started running and biking again about a month ago. I did a five and a half hour ride last weekend. My legs were killing me, but no labia pain. I am very happy with my decision to do it. It was just a little snip snip. And, evidently, its a pretty common procedure for women to get their "wings clipped". Much more common than we realize. Anyway...now I just need to get signed up for the ironman. This excuse is out of the way. Oh. And P.S. Regarding it impacting any sexual stimulation....not true. It's actually increased sensitivity (in a good way). All worth the $3,500 I paid.

[velogirl]

MountainandRoad -- you are not crazy. I know someone who had labiaplasty because of cycling. She's a pretty hard-core pro endurance athlete (think RAAM) and the excess labial tissue caused continual saddle sores. I know she suffered some pretty debilitating nerve damage post-surgery which kept her off the bike for a long time and I don't think she would choose to do the surgery again if given the option.

While I'm not comfortable disclosing her name or giving out her email address without permission, I could pass your contact information onto her if you would like to chat.

Lorri

ps -- ladies, try to remember that surgery is a personal choice. M&R asked a personal question and it likely took her a long time to find the courage to ask it. let's not make her feel uncomfortable by passing judgement.

[Brandi]

I understand! i have often thought there was something odd about my labia. It has excess (or what i thought was) skin. It actually make sex difficult sometimes. But I work it out. Again I have thought from pictures I have seen that i was not normal. And I have at time had to adjust myself on my bike because of irritation. But you know my husband has loved my body now for 20 years and has never said anything but kind words about it. I would be wary of messing with things down there that is for sure. I like sex and would hate to mess that up. But considering I have had slight irritation at times if you are really suffering them maybe it is the right thing for you.
Like already said just be careful even the best Dr can mess up.
I just read a story about Julie Andrews.She was having a simple operation on her throat and the Dr messed up and ruined her voice forever. Sad!

[OakLeaf]

I don't know about you, but my labia aren't the only part of my body that don't look like porn stars' parts.

Whatever you are is NORMAL for you!

Absolutely, if someone's tried everything short of surgery to relieve pain, then find a Board-certified, experienced surgeon. But be wary of people who want you to alter your body to fit into something that just doesn't - whether it's an ill-fitting saddle, particular clothes, or a porn star's body image - when simply getting something that fits properly would relieve any pain.

[shootingstar]

Unbelievable that some women would have it done for ...cosmetic reasons.

On the other side, sometimes I feel abit tougher....because I don't even cycle with padded shorts ...have cycled over 100 kms. per day during cycling season. I've been cycling for past 17 years. So I'm probably the extreme here... I'm the sort of person that doesn't take pills for headaches...which headaches are rare for me. But I digress..

Please do try different saddles with cut-outs.

And for guys ...no sometimes they can't move their thingy aside while cycling..I asked. My partner cycles heavily....up 10,000 kms. annually.

[Andrea]

I'm glad someone else started this thread. I've probably got what some would consider more skin than "normal."
I have had an inkling of this type of surgery in the back of my mind for a while- especially the day that the cutout in my selle an-atomica somehow pinched shut on me I also have a problem with the usual foam saddle because as the foam breaks in, it will breakdown into the saddle's cutout area and make it much smaller than usual- not as acutely painful as the an-atomica issue, but really bad numbness/soreness/between-the-skinfolds chafing on any rides over 40 miles.

I've never been bothered by my looks- I've just had a hell of a time finding a saddle (I've been riding for a year & a half and still looking). Let us know how everything turns out!