What are the labia minora and what is their function? The labia minora are located between the two sides of the labia majora, for the sheet-like tissue, thin and small, smooth surface without pubic hair, elastic. The front of the left and right labia minora is divided into two folds, the inner and outer. The outer folds upward, in the clitoral head above the left and right together, around the clitoris, constituting the clitoral prepuce. The labia minora are divided into two sides, the skin is thin and tender, rich in sebaceous glands. The outer side is dark blue, in contact with the inner side of the labia majora. The inner side is smooth, rich in sebaceous glands, rose-colored and mucous membrane-like. The labia minora lack adipose tissue in the subcutaneous area, but contain a large number of elastic fibers and a small amount of smooth muscle and abundant venous blood vessels. From a medical point of view, there is no such thing as a normal size of the labia minora. There is no need for medical intervention if there is no abnormal sensation or if the shape is not very unsightly. The functions of the labia minora are to protect the vaginal opening and the urethral opening, to keep the vaginal opening moist, to prevent contamination by foreign microorganisms, and to prevent urine from dispersing during urination. In addition, the labia minora can be stimulated by penile penetration during sexual intercourse by pulling the clitoris. How is the yellow labia minora considered beautiful? From an aesthetic point of view, the average width of the labia minora is about 1-1.5 cm and the length is about 3-4 cm. The labia minora should be slightly narrower in width, not pendulous, not thick, not exposed to the outside of the labia majora, light pink in color, symmetrical, uniform in size, not completely enclosing the vaginal opening on the inside, not obstructing the penis, and harmonizing with the perineum as a whole. Enlargement of the labia minora may cause the clitoral head to be covered by the folds of the labia minora, and is accompanied by sagging of the skin caused by aging, resulting in insufficient clitoral stimulation during sex, causing the patient’s libido to diminish or arousal to be delayed. In this case, labiaplasty surgery is performed along with removal of the excess clitoral prepuce to correct the position of the clitoral head so that the clitoris can be stimulated normally during sex. If the labia minora are too long, the labia minora are painful when brought into the vagina during sex or uncomfortable when swollen after sex. When this happens, sex can be distracting, breaking the mood and affecting sexual satisfaction. Normally, the labia minora play a role in preventing bacteria from entering the vagina. The labia minora are too long, completely sealing the vaginal opening, preventing secretions from being discharged, which can produce a bad smell, and the secretions trapped between the labia minora create a moist environment that can easily lead to candida vaginitis or urinary tract infections, and the labia minora are too long, blocking the urethral surgery, and urine may flow down the vulva or thighs when urinating. Some women need to repeatedly lift their buttocks or for lifting the buttocks on the side with the longer labia minora when urinating because of the excessively long labia minora. As a result, many women feel inconvenienced and unhygienic. If the enlarged labia minora are exposed beyond the vulva, it may trigger pain or discomfort when wearing stockings, shapewear, or a belly band. However, one of the important reasons most people decide to have surgery is certainly the desire to improve their aesthetics and increase their self-confidence. Do I need labiaplasty? If your labia minora has one of the following 6 points, you can consider surgery 1) Abnormally enlarged labia minora on one side or both sides 2) Labia minora clearly exposed from the middle of the labia majora when the legs are pressed together 3) Serious asymmetry in size or shape of the labia minora on both sides 4) Dark color of the labia minora or a big difference in the color of the labia minora on both sides 5) Serious sagging of the labia minora with a heavy feeling 6) Other psychological unacceptability to the patient in terms of aesthetics or medical reason. What are the characteristics of a woman who undergoes this procedure? Women who wish to undergo labia minora surgery are generally younger, usually between the ages of 18 and 40. They suffer more from the damage to their self-esteem and lack of self-confidence due to the abnormalities of the labia minora and have a stronger desire for cosmetic surgery, requiring bilateral symmetry, and are more concerned with color, hoping that the surgeon will remove as much of the hyperpigmented tissue as possible. For young or unmarried women, most of them attach importance to aesthetics or hygiene. Married women, most of them want to solve or prevent the problems caused by the elongation of labia minora, such as sex life obstacles. How is the surgery done? How long does it usually take? Do I need to be hospitalized? Depending on the patient’s requirements and the type of labia minora enlargement, the clinical methods of labia minora simple excision, wedge excision, skin peeling and Z-shaped labia minora excision can be used. The first two are the most widely used and can be used in 99% of cases. The surgery usually takes about 90 minutes, can be performed under local anesthesia and does not require hospitalization. What are the precautions for the surgery? 1.It is necessary to avoid menstruation (usually 7-10 days after the end of menstruation). 2.Pre-operative gynecological examination by a doctor to exclude vaginitis and other gynecological diseases, which should be treated before surgery if necessary. 3.Blood test before surgery to exclude systemic infection, coagulation disorders and other patients who are not suitable for surgery. 4.Drugs that affect coagulation, such as aspirin, warfarin and clopidogrel, need to be stopped 7-10 days before surgery. 5.Don’t eat spicy and stimulating food after surgery, and don’t have sex within 2 months. According to the doctor’s request, take sitz bath with warm water twice a day for 7-10 days. Return to the hospital for review two months after surgery.