Labiaplasty surgery can improve the appearance of your genitals and increase your sexual confidence - but you need to allow the area to heal before having sex. How long should you wait to have sex after labiaplasty?
What is a labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty is an operation to reduce the size of the inner lips of the vulva, medically known as the labia minora.
During labiaplasty surgery, your cosmetic surgeon trims away any excess tissue or removes a small wedge of tissue to make the labia minora smaller and more balanced so that they are neatly contained within the outer lips.
How long do I have to wait to have sex after labiaplasty?
One of the most common questions aesthetic surgeons are asked about intimate surgery is ‘ ‘how long do I have to wait to have sex after labiaplasty?’. The expert aesthetic surgeons at Bella Vou recommend that you should wait at least four weeks, or until you feel comfortable, before having sex after labiaplasty surgery.
After your procedure, you will have wounds and stitches in the labia; it's essential to give them time to heal before having intercourse. Healing is a very individual process. How quickly you recover will depend on the extent of your surgery, your general health and whether you have any complications like infections in the post-operative period.
If your recovery is straightforward and uneventful, you should be able to have sex again after four weeks. However, the Bella Vou team will be able to give you individual advice depending on the way your wounds are healing.
What happens if I have sex too soon after labiaplasty?
If you have sex too soon after labiaplasty, you risk damaging the fragile wounds. The friction of sex can disturb the healing scars and open up the wounds. Sex could also introduce infections which can slow down healing and increase the risk of your wound breaking down. Intercourse can bruise the delicate tissues, causing bruising or haematomas, increasing your chance of suffering wound healing problems.
Sex after labiaplasty
Most women can return to their everyday routines four to six weeks after labiaplasty surgery, including having sex and using tampons. However, it's natural to feel a little nervous the first time you have sex after labiaplasty surgery. You can make things easier if you:
- Don't have sex until your team has given you the all-clear and you feel comfortable
- If possible, have sex with a known and trusted partner
- Talk to your partner about your concerns and ensure they take it slowly and gently
- The Bella Vou team may recommend that you use some lubricant to ease the way, particularly if you’re experiencing some dryness
Labiaplasty risks
There are risks with any surgery; however, the risks of labiaplasty surgery are low. The team at Bella Vou will work to minimise the potential risks of the surgery and provide detailed aftercare and recovery advice. The complications of labiaplasty include:
- Wound infection - Bella Vou will prescribe antibiotics to reduce your infection risk
- Haematoma and bleeding from the wound
- Scarring and scar contraction
- Dissatisfaction with the appearance of the genitals after surgery
Rarely people can have reduced sensation after labiaplasty, which can affect sexual pleasure and satisfaction. However, research shows that most women get more sexual pleasure and less discomfort after labiaplasty surgery
This patient had a Labia Minora Reduction. These photos were taken 6 months after surgery.
This patient had a Labia Minora Reduction. These photos were taken 2 months after surgery.
This patient had a Labia Minora Reduction. These photos were taken 6 months after surgery.
This patient had a Labia Minora Reduction. These photos were taken 1 week after surgery
This patient had a Labia Minora and Clitoral Hood Reduction. These photos were taken 6 months after surgery.
This patient had a Labia Minora Reduction. These photos were taken 3 months after surgery.
This patient had Labia Minora Surgery with us. These are her results 2 months after surgery.
This patient had Labia Minora Surgery. These photos were taken before & 6 weeks after surgery.
This patient had Labia Minora Surgery. These photos were taken before & 6 months after surgery.
Labiaplasty recovery timeline
Your labiaplasty recovery will depend on your health, the extent of your surgery ( it may take longer after a wedge resection than a trim procedure) and whether you have any complications following your procedure. However, in general, your recovery timeline could be:
- Day 1: You won't have to stay in hospital overnight; the Bella Vou team will give you painkillers, witch hazel and cold compresses to reduce pain and swelling
- Days 2-6: You will notice pain and swelling, which will reduce over the first week. Rest as much as you can, with your feet raised. Shower daily to keep the area clean. You can gently move around your home, gradually increasing distances as your pain decreases
- Day 7: You will have a wound clinic appointment at Bella Vou to check healing and address any questions or worries. Your stitches will naturally dissolve and don’t need removal
- Week 2: You may be able to move more and can stop using cold compresses if the swelling has settled. You may be able to work from home at this stage
- Week 3: Swelling and pain should be reduced, allowing you to move much more and do gentle exercise. If you have a non-physical job, you can get back to work, but you should avoid strenuous exercise and lifting for four weeks
- Week 4: Most people can get back to sex, exercise and regular activities at four weeks, although it may take up to six weeks if you've had a more complicated recovery
Labiaplasty aftercare tips
- Apply witch hazel to the area to ease inflammation and soothe the skin
- Apply cold compresses 6 - 8 times a day, for no longer than 10 minutes, for the first 3 - 5 days to reduce swelling and bruising
- Rest with your feet raised as much as you can in the first week
- Shower daily to keep the area clean - but avoid baths and swimming pools for at least two weeks
- Dry the area carefully using a hairdryer in the cold setting
- Change underwear regularly to reduce the risk of infection
- Keep well hydrated so your urine is dilute and less likely to sting
- Bella Vou will provide dressings for the first 2-to 3 days. You may also want to use pads to protect your clothing
- Take painkillers regularly to prevent pain from building up. You will need them for at least 48 hours and may require some analgesia for the first week
- Wait at least four weeks before having sex or using a tampon to prevent wound infection and breakdown
Book a labiaplasty consultation
Labiaplasty can transform the appearance of your genitals, improve your confidence and boost your sexual pleasure. If you want advice and guidance about surgery to reduce and rebalance your labia minora, book a free consultation at Bella Vou.
The experienced aesthetic surgeons understand that many women feel uncomfortable or embarrassed sharing an intimate problem; they will be professional, sensitive and supportive throughout. They will provide objective advice on whether surgery will achieve your goals and talk you through the procedure, the risks, and the results you can expect.
For more information about Bella Vou, please read our FAQ’s page ‘Why Should I Choose Bella Vou Over Others?’
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Last Updated: March 2, 2022
Published On: March 2, 2022