Cosmetic Gynecology Procedures Definitions

You may have heard of vaginal rejuvenation, vaginoplasty, labiaplasty but what do these cosmetic gynecology terms really mean? This terms and definitions section is written to provide the public with a general understanding of the subject matter. If you have specific questions or need further clarification on any of the topics covered on this website, please call our office at 210-615-6646. We're happy to answer any of your questions.

Cosmetic Gynecology Procedure Terms, Definitions

Vaginoplasty is a widely misused term for vaginal rejuvenation or vaginal tightening procedures, however, it is actually the surgery used to create a vagina in someone born without one (called vaginal agenesis, usually with Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser Syndrome).

Vaginal Rejuvenation is an umbrella term for 7 surgeries that can restore the support to the vagina and treat sensations of wide/smooth vagina.¹ Depending on your symptoms and exam, the right procedures are determined for you. There is no one-fit-all procedure. Vaginal Rejuvenation can address many issues and women who have had vaginal rejuvenation procedures express great relief after surgery. You can find additional information on vaginal rejuvenation here.

Labiaplasty includes: Labia Minora Reduction or Labia Minoraplasty (inner hairless lips)and Labia Majora Reduction or Labia Majoraplasty (outer hair-covered lips). Read more about what labiaplasty entails.

• Labia Minoraplasty reduces the volume of the inner lips with reduction of length, height and thickness. There are 9 available procedures, some newer edge-preserving and others edge-reducing. (^4,5) The two edge-reducing procedures are considered the traditional techniques and were developed in the 1970s and 1980s (^6,7). Dr. Hailparn will discuss the various techniques available, and after a consultation and an examination, can help guide you in choosing the right procedure for you.
• Labia Majoraplasty (Reduction/Restoration): Understanding the female anatomy will help to better understand the techniques available. The Labia Majora (LM) are composed of a basement support sheet called fascia, a fat sac which rests upon it and covered with skin. Damage to the LM can occur from delivery or other trauma (which can stretch or tear the fascia and rupture the fat sac in multiple places), aging which impacts skin integrity, and weight loss (which shrinks the fat cells causing sagging where the tissues were once plump). LM techniques include those that excise skin and fat, which can flatten the LM, and those that remove the excess skin and repair the damage to the fascia and/or fat sac which retain the natural curve or fullness of the LM.⁶

Clitoral Hood or Prepuce Reduction Surgeries, or Hoodoplasties include procedures to reduce the excess lateral or central skin around the clitoris. It is requested for access, hygiene and/or aesthetic reasons. Newest techniques include the modified Reverse V-plasty for central hood excess, with or without hydrodissection for conditions that can trap or retract the clitoral glans.⁷ Detailed information on clitoral hood reduction, hoodectomy surgery, can be found here.

Liposculpting of Mons Pubis (fat pad on pubic bone) to reduce the unwanted fat is a quick 30 minute out-patient procedure with minimal downtime and speedy recovery. See mons pubis liposuction before and after photos.

References

¹Ostrzenski, A. Acquired sensation of wide/smooth vagina: a new classification. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Repro Biol 2011; 158:97-100.

²Hailparn TR. Labioplasty: Cosmetic or Medically Necessary? Exploring the Reasons Female Patients Seek Labia Reduction. 5th Annual Congress on Aesthetic Vaginal Surgery, Tucson, Arizona, USA; November 2010.

³Ostrzenski A. Vaginal Rugation Rejuvenation (Restoration): A new surgical technique for an acquired sensation of wide/smooth vagina. Gynecol Obstet Invest 2012; 73:48-52

⁴Ostrzenski A. Cosmetic gynecology in the view of evidence-based medicine and ACOG recommendations: a review. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2011; Sept; 284(3):617-30. Epub 2011 April 11

⁵Laio LM, Creighton SM. Labial surgery for well women: a review of the literature. BJOG 2010; 117:20-25

⁶Radman HM. Hypertrophy of labia minora. Obstet Gynecol 1976; 48:578-580.

⁷Hodgkinson DJ, Hait, G. Aesthetic Vaginal Labioplasty. Plastic Reconstructive Surgery 1984; Sept; 74 (3):414-416.

⁸Ostrzenski, A. Advanced Cosmetic-Plastic Gynecology Workshop and Syllabus. The Institute of Gynecology, Inc., St. Petersburg, FL., 2012.

⁹Ostrzenski A. A new hydrodissection with reverse V-plasty technique for the buried clitoris associated with Lichen Sclerosus. J Gynecol Surgery 2010; 28(1):41-48.