With plastic surgery currently more popular than ever before, women are turning to cosmetic enhancement to correct a wide variety of perceived physical flaws. Increasingly, one of the most sought-after procedures is what’s known as a labiaplasty, wherein the labia minora is reduced in size or reshaped so that it has a more pleasing appearance. So how many women are having labiaplasties and why are all of these women so eager to have their most private of areas worked on?
According to experts, women undergo labiaplasties for almost entirely cosmetic reasons, although there are rumors that the procedure can help with other aspects of life. Reportedly, some women believe that reducing the size of their vulvas will do everything from make sex more pleasurable to reduce the frequency of yeast infections. Unfortunately, getting a labiaplasty does not affect any of these issues, and yet the procedure continues to gain in popularity.
In fact, 2014 saw an almost 50% rise in the number of women seeking labiaplasties, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Surgery. Raw numbers aren’t yet available for last year, but in 2014 over 7,500 women underwent vaginal plastic surgery. And while the procedure is particularly popular amongst young women, they aren’t the only ones getting labiaplasties, as numerous women in their 60s and 70s are also reportedly undergoing the procedure.
If a labiaplasty is solely a cosmetic procedure, then what is driving its popularity? Not surprisingly, other popular everyday activities are contributing to women wanting to get their vaginas reshaped. For example, the current athleisure apparel trend is making women more self-conscious about having camel toe or other unsightly protrusions in their pelvic region. Additionally, the popularity of hair removal practices, such as Brazilian waxing, is also drawing added attention to the vaginal area, so women are increasingly concerned about making sure that the area looks its best.
Also, as with other trends, the popularity of labiaplasties could also be due to a compounding effect. As more women have the procedure performed, not only do other women become aware that such a procedure exists, but also word spreads about the benefits that a labiaplasty can bring.
Ultimately, only time will tell if the popularity of labiaplasties will continue to increase. But if it follows other plastic surgery trends, such as breast and buttocks augmentations, then odds are that more and more women will seek labiaplasties in the coming years.
If you or someone you know would like more information about plastic surgery, please feel free to schedule a consultation or contact one of our representatives today!
Dr. Mark Schusterman and Dr. Sanaz Harirchian
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