Labiaplasty

[sapphira]

COSMETIC procedure. I'm against cosmetic surgery, especially since I have the pleasure of working with women and their gynecological issues professionally. Cosmetic surgery is not a solution. Sure, different surgeries actually do work for some people, but having your gallbladder out seems to be easier than having even a nose job.

Leave your labia alone. Unfortunately, there are pain issues that are common and the health community has a long future of trying to figure out pain. There is still so much to learn. People put so much faith in the medical community and surgery, and there is a lot we can do, but there is a lot we are venturing into that we will most likely be correcting, or trying to correct in the decades to come. Microsoft Windows is kids' stuff compared to the complexities of the human body.

This kind of stuff just pisses me off. I'm so sick our free, "civilized" society objectifying women and treating their bodies like blowup dolls.

I don't know about you guys, but the genes that are responsible for my labia have worked successfully for generations of women for millennia, and I fully intend to keep mine as is. Yes, I also have hair down there. Go figure. I'm a mammal. Golly gee.

MountainandRoad, I'm not picking on you. The topic just got me to rant. I do have a bit of discomfort after riding for about 90 minutes or more, so I am going to look into different women's saddles. I hear finding the right one can make a world of difference.

I'd like to offer a different perspective. It wasn't society that made me hate my labia. I was only 12 years old, going through puberty, never seen a porno magazine in my life nor a blow up doll, and completely horrified when my vagina started to enlarge, and my inner labia got so big that they pushed themselves downwards. I felt like something was wrong. They are discolored, stretchy, and itchy. I have to take showers all the time to clean them. Men get the flesh of the skin around their penis' head removed; why can't women opt to do the same type of procedure, especially if they make the choice and for hygienic purposes?

That same 12 year old girl feelings are still carried within me to this day. I am VERY uncomfortable with the size of my vagina, always have been and always will until I receive the labioplasty procedure. It has gotten worse as I've gotten older as time takes it toll, and so has the chafing, irritation, and pain during sex. I'd like to enjoy my life, not have to worry about a certain body part that's giving me so many problems. That's why I think it's short sighted to merely blame it on "society objectifying women". If that was the case, then I'd have dyed my hair blonde and gotten breast implants a long time ago. Besides, I'm doing it for myself, as are most women making the choice. I could care less about trends in plastic surgery or sexual attitudes in society. I fully honor my own and don't let others decide for me. I am thrilled that this procedure is available.

[KnottedYet]

I work in pelvic rehab.

We see some pretty interesting stuff.

I second the plea for getting 3 opinions before having anything done. And may I recommend that at least one be from a urologist or gynecologist?

During the surgeon investigation process, do talk to at least one who does gender-reassignment surgeries (sex change operations). They are very familiar with that neighborhood. (and boy, do they do some incredible work!)

[AmyJ]

I had a labiaplasty performed due to the fact that it was very difficult to ride for long periods of time without experiencing some major discomfort. For me the choice was easy, either have the surgery, or quit riding all together. I could not even fathom the latter! The surgery turned out to be very successful! Now, not only do I have more confidence in my appearance, but I no longer experience pain in that area. I could not have asked for a better outcome!

[Susan]

I know the problem and just as a sidenote, have often thought that cycling shorts are just not designed right for women with larger labiae. I think the velvet-like materials they use may be comfortable for men, but for the mucous surface that women have "down there" wouldn't some kind of "slicker" surface work better? Sorry for the hijack.

I can relate to the described problems, but for myself, would be too worried about nerve damage. I'd have a hard time living a life without or with impaired feelings during sexual intercourse.

[zoom-zoom]

I know the problem and just as a sidenote, have often thought that cycling shorts are just not designed right for women with larger labiae. I think the velvet-like materials they use may be comfortable for men, but for the mucous surface that women have "down there" wouldn't some kind of "slicker" surface work better? Sorry for the hijack.

That's a really good question. Frequently I feel like all the chamois butter in the world doesn't keep my chamois from feeling like dry sandpaper. Add that to the issue of my labia getting pinched between my pubic bone and the saddle and zowie owie!

[TsPoet]

Wow, interesting old thread.
2 comments -
1) maybe less is more? I keep reading about thick chamois and lots of butter. Try thin chamois?
2) ever thought about recumbent? Yes, they are very different, but they are still really nice road bikes and they are very comfy. I'm as fast on my bent as I ever was on a road bike, and a whole lot more comfortable in numerous places.

[zoom-zoom]

Wow, interesting old thread.
2 comments -
1) maybe less is more? I keep reading about thick chamois and lots of butter. Try thin chamois?

There's definitely something to that. I'm really fond of the chamois in my Shebeest shorts, vs. the one in my PI shorts. Shebeest is just really hard to find, now.

[crys.jo]

I had a labiaplasty performed due to the fact that it was very difficult to ride for long periods of time without experiencing some major discomfort. For me the choice was easy, either have the surgery, or quit riding all together. I could not even fathom the latter! The surgery turned out to be very successful! Now, not only do I have more confidence in my appearance, but I no longer experience pain in that area. I could not have asked for a better outcome!

I am looking into this procedure for two reasons one the fact that riding is rather painful. I'm on saddle #7. So far the best are wise nose cut outs and thin chamois. The second reason is that I can't even wear pants anymore, skirts only. Anything that touches that area is irritating. I could care less about looks. I liken it to a breast reduction. If they are you big and hurt your back, wouldn't you want them reduced?

[zoom-zoom]

I am looking into this procedure for two reasons one the fact that riding is rather painful. I'm on saddle #7. So far the best are wise nose cut outs and thin chamois. The second reason is that I can't even wear pants anymore, skirts only. Anything that touches that area is irritating. I could care less about looks. I liken it to a breast reduction. If they are you big and hurt your back, wouldn't you want them reduced?

As someone who has had breast reduction (covered by insurance, since it was reconstructive, not cosmetic. Went from a DDD to a D), I have to agree. Had I not had my boobs downsized I never would have taken up running...and eventually cycling. I went through EASILY a dozen saddles before trying a Selle SMP. The Drakon model is my favorite. I have a friend trying the somewhat less-padded Dynamic and having good luck with it, too, for similar reasons. I wholeheartedly recommend giving one or two of these saddles a try, on the off-chance that you might avoid surgery. Perhaps not irritating your labial area while riding will help things become less sensitive when wearing pants, as well.

[guinness]

Well, I'm currently relaxing on the couch about 48 hours after labiaplasty. So I figure I might as well contribute. If you're not into TMI, now is a good time to stop reading.


I had a breast reduction done 6 years ago at age 34: 34DDD to 34C. It was life-changing. No more debilitating neck muscle strains (which I used to get a few times a year), greatly reduced upper back pain (though I still have some pain doing certain activities... probably did some permanent damage in the years I lived in misery). Less hormonal pain from cysts, which was sometimes bad enough I had to walk with care to avoid too much painful bounce. As a bonus, I even got ride of a bit of breast tissue in my armpit (maybe more than a bit... it was a bulge big enough to see under clothing)... it also had cysts, and made me wince to put on my antiperspirant. No more wearing a sports bra over a regular bra. I could breathe better. So it opened the door to being more active (cycling for sport as well as transportation) and I lost a few pounds, got healthier, gained confidence. I'm only sorry it took me so long to work up the nerve to talk to a doctor.

In that same spirit of taking care of yourself, during 6 years of mostly happy road bike riding, I've put a lot of thought into my saddle pain. Shorts, saddles, creams, positioning... still squirming not to get my labia pinched. It's a legitimate problem. I sometimes get small tears (which sting), I tend to sit off-kilter to protect my labia minora which means I have persistent saddle-sores on one side, and I even landed on the top tube once, resulting in a bloody flood from a split labia minora that needed a trip to the emergency room for stitches. My labia minora were maybe just at the upper limit of normal (5 cm?), long enough to stick to my thigh when I walk or need re-adjusting of the underwear (that's super irritating, by the way). Also tough to keep clean with so many folds, which may or may not have been made worse from scarring after my rough landing experience. I ride daily, and they've definitely become relatively tough with that treatment, but are still a pretty sensitive body part to be sitting on for an hour or more every day. So I decided to go for labiaplasty after really thinking through the source of my discomfort, and reading stories from other women. I believe it will help me be more comfortable, and it will certainly help me stay cleaner.

My surgery was a simple trim (laser). Twilight anesthetic (I just felt like I slept, and woke up easily). I have virtually no swelling, and have only taken a couple of regular Tylenols the day of the surgery, mostly out of precaution as the local was wearing off. The next day, I was up and walking (normally but carefully), but virtually in no pain, and with no more analgesics. Even had visitors drop by who didn't know I'd just had a surgery the day before. Seriously, I've been in worse pain after a long day of bike riding. Have seen worse swelling after doing a time trial. There is some bleeding, which has almost stopped now. Using the bathroom and gently showering is fine. So, so far I'm kind of thrilled with the surgery, since I was expecting a lot worse. Maybe bike riding has helped toughen me up in that regard? Anyways, I plan to report back once I'm riding again. It will be a few weeks. I'm looking forward to being able to ride as long as *I* want to in the future, rather than just for as long as a certain body part can tolerate it.