Surgery · Intimate

Labiaplasty (labia reduction, nymphoplasty): when, how, what recovery, in Paris 16th

Q: What does a labiaplasty cost?

Fees are listed in the fee schedule ; the quotation, provided before any decision, gives the exact amount. Clinic charges and the anesthetist's fees are settled with the clinic.

Labiaplasty — also called labia reduction (labia minora reduction) or nymphoplasty — removes the excess tissue of the labia minora and restores a natural appearance. It is for women bothered day to day by the size or shape of their labia minora: friction, pain during sport or intercourse, discomfort in clothing. Consultations at the practice, 42 avenue Mozart; Dr Chaima Gatri, OB-GYN and gynecological (gynaecological) surgeon, operates herself at the Clinique de la Muette, a five-minute walk away. English-speaking practice.

Recognizing it · Who is it for

Day-to-day discomfort, or a long-held request

The labia minora — the nymphae, which gives nymphoplasty its name — are the two folds of mucosa inside the labia majora; their size and shape vary widely, and that variety is normal. Surgical reduction is classically indicated when there is pain or discomfort linked to their size. Patients' own words come back again and again:

“They stick out” — they protrude between the labia majora, and it shows in close-fitting clothes.
“They are too big” — a bulk felt in the changing room and in how you see yourself.
“They rub” — irritation when walking, running, cycling.
“They hurt” — pain during sport, pain during intercourse.
“They are asymmetrical” — one labium longer or wider than the other.
“They swell and become painful” — after sport, at the end of the day.

A request without physical discomfort is heard and informed in the same way. Labiaplasty is one of the most requested intimate surgery procedures, and one of those growing fastest.

Book an appointment — Dr GATRI

The consultation

An examination, full information, time to decide

Dr Gatri first listens to the request — what bothers you, since when, in what circumstances — then examines the vulva: the examination establishes the length, width and symmetry of the labia minora and the state of the clitoral hood, and points to the appropriate technique.

The information covers what the procedure removes, the anesthesia (anaesthesia), the recovery, the risks and the alternatives; the information sheet of the French National College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF) on nymphoplasty and vulvo-perineoplasty is given to you and talked through. A detailed quotation is then sent by e-mail, to be accepted by electronic signature; for a procedure performed for aesthetic reasons, French law requires this written quotation and a fifteen-day reflection period. Strict smoking cessation before surgery reduces the risk of impaired healing. Appointments are booked on Doctolib with Dr Gatri, under « Consultation pour Nymphoplastie » (labiaplasty consultation), or through the secretariat.

The procedure

Two techniques, as day surgery, at the Clinique de la Muette

The aim is to remove the excess tissue of the labia minora while restoring a satisfactory natural appearance. Two surgical techniques exist; the choice depends on your anatomy and on your surgeon's practice.

Longitudinal resection — it removes directly the excess part of the labia minora, the part that protrudes between the labia majora.
Triangular (wedge) resection — a triangle of mucosa is drawn and cut out, and the labium is then reconstructed; this technique treats excess length and excess height at once.

The stitches are absorbable: they fall away on their own in the weeks that follow. The procedure most often takes place as day surgery, with return home the same evening. Anesthesia is local or general, depending on the procedure and on you; the choice is made in consultation with the anesthesiologist (anaesthetist) of the Clinique de la Muette. You go home once the surgeon agrees.

Recovery

The first days, the first weeks

You feel a pulling sensation in the treated areas: it is well relieved by simple painkillers during the first week, and ice reduces the edema — the postoperative swelling. Bruises may appear; they then fade markedly.

Clothing — loose clothes or skirts, with cotton underwear, for the first fifteen days.
Hygiene — a daily shower then careful drying, including after passing urine: maceration is to be avoided.
Baths and sport — baths, water activities, tampons and strenuous sport resume after the postoperative consultation, generally one month later.
Intercourse — it resumes after that consultation.
Work — sick leave is generally prescribed; its length depends on the discomfort felt.

The result is assessed from two months; the final appearance of the scars is judged at twelve months. The CNGOF sheet details the risks: bleeding or hematoma, wound breakdown — the main one, which occurs with a hematoma and calls for local care — and, more rarely, localized necrosis or a transient change in sensation. Heavy continuous bleeding, foul-smelling discharge, unusual pain or fever: call the surgical team.

Alternatives

When the discomfort comes from something else

Intimate discomfort has several causes, and labiaplasty answers one of them; when the examination points to another, the treatment follows.

Dryness, burning, discomfort at menopause — local hormone treatment and the gynecological laser of the practice.
Vaginal laxity, stress urinary leakage — pelvic floor rehabilitation and the gynecological laser, performed at the practice.
Discomfort of the vulvar fourchette after childbirth — vulvo-perineoplasty and perineoplasty, on the Intimate surgery page.
Labia minora of normal appearance — the examination says so, and many women simply leave reassured.

Two treatments of the practice, in consultation, with no anesthesia and no hospital stay — on their own, or alongside a procedure:

Gynecological laser — Fotona

Dryness and discomfort at menopause, mild to moderate urinary leakage, vaginal laxity, mild prolapse, C-section scar, HPV lesions and genital warts. Three 30-minute sessions at the practice, with no anesthesia and no hospital stay.

Discover the laser

Pelvic floor rehabilitation — StarFormer

Stress urinary leakage, rehabilitation after childbirth, recovery after pelvic surgery, intimate comfort at menopause, pelvic floor strengthening. Six sessions over three weeks, seated and fully dressed, without a probe.

Discover the rehabilitation

The words

One procedure, several names

Labiaplasty = labioplasty = nymphoplasty = labia minora reduction — the same procedure; also called labia reduction. In French: nymphoplastie.
Clitoral hood reduction (clitoridoplasty) — a neighboring procedure, sometimes combined.
Labia majora surgery (vulvoplasty) — reduction, lipofilling.
Perineoplasty = perineorrhaphy = perineal repair — and the vulvo-perineoplasty of the CNGOF sheet.
Vaginal tightening, or vaginoplasty — colpoperineorrhaphy is the medical word, “vaginal rejuvenation” the everyday one.
Hymenoplasty — reconstruction of the hymen.
The family — intimate surgery, cosmetic gynecology, aesthetic gynecology, genital surgery: see Intimate surgery.

Frequently asked questions

Your questions, our answers

What is a labiaplasty?

The surgical reduction of the labia minora: it removes the excess tissue while restoring a natural appearance. It is also called labioplasty or nymphoplasty.

Is it covered by health insurance?

Performed for aesthetic reasons, it is outside the official schedule and is not reimbursed. When the indication is functional, coverage is possible; your quotation states it.

What does a labiaplasty cost?

Fees are listed in the fee schedule; the quotation, provided before any decision, gives the exact amount. Clinic charges and the anesthetist's fees are settled with the clinic.

Are there before-and-after photographs?

This site publishes none: the French code of medical ethics forbids them, and a photograph taken of another woman says nothing about your result. At the consultation, Dr Gatri shows you on diagrams what the procedure removes — see Patient information and ethics.

Is it painful?

You feel a pulling sensation in the treated areas; according to the CNGOF sheet, it is well relieved by simple painkillers during the first week, and ice reduces the swelling.

What kind of anesthesia?

Local or general, depending on the procedure and on you; the choice is made in consultation with the anesthesiologist of the Clinique de la Muette.

When can I go back to sport and intercourse?

After the postoperative consultation, generally one month later — the same for tampons and baths. Sick leave is generally prescribed.

Is there a scar?

The stitches are absorbable and fall away on their own. The scar lies in the mucosa of the labium, where the excess tissue was removed; its final appearance is judged at twelve months.

Can it be combined with another procedure?

Yes: a clitoral hood reduction or a vulvo-perineoplasty can be combined with labiaplasty in the same operation, and the quotation covers all the procedures.

Fees

Fees and reimbursement

A labiaplasty performed for aesthetic reasons is outside the official schedule: it is not reimbursed, it is subject to VAT, and French law requires a written quotation and a fifteen-day reflection period (Article L.6322-2 of the Public Health Code); when the indication is functional, the Assurance maladie covers it under sector 2 (non-OPTAM) conditions. Fees are listed in the fee schedule; clinic charges and the anesthetist's fees are settled directly with the Clinique de la Muette. The information framework of this site is described on the Patient information and ethics page.