[Request for labia correction: sometimes more than a simple question].
Three women aged 19, 50 and 33 years, requested surgical correction of their labia minora because of subjective complaints attributed to the size of their labia minora. However, during consultation, for one of the patients it transpired that she did not know anything about the normal physiological changes of the external genitals during puberty and the enormous variety and diversity of the length of labia minora between women. It turned out that the other woman felt uncertain about her genitals following a recent divorce. For the third woman a vulvar pain syndrome and a sexual abuse history became clear. Two of the patients decided not to undergo surgery and the third sought a cure elsewhere. The request for a surgical correction of the labia minora seems quite simple and the operation does not seem to be complicated either. However, the question remains as to whether an operation is the solution for the psychological and behavioural consequences the woman experiences. A conservative approach is recommended, with attention for other possible problems that can be hidden behind the request for labia minora correction.
Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum, Polikliniek Gynaecologie, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden.
J
J
de Waard
Ph Th M
PT
Weijenborg
M M
MM
ter Kuile
F W
FW
Jansen
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D014844:Vulva / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*