September 2018 www.womanthismonth.com 56 LIFESTYLE | wellbeing Every woman has her unique anatomy and body type. We come in varying packages – different skin tones, structures and constitutions – all types alluring and beautiful. Like all the other parts of the body that are openly spoken about, the vagina (and all its intricacies) also differs from one lady to the next. Although there is no defined ‘normal’ when it comes to one’s nether regions, a procedure called labiaplasty is fast catching on with women in Bahrain. And all for the most practical reasons. The labia are dual folds of skin at the vaginal opening. Labia majora are the outer lip-like structures, consisting mostly of skin, fatty tissue and hair follicles. Underneath, the labia minora are a pair of soft folds of fat-free, hairless skin that protect the vulvar area, urethra and vagina. In some women, the labia minora protrude or sag outside the labia majora, often causing discomfort, and sometimes, embarrassment. “Labiaplasty is correction and reconstruction of enlarged labia minora [the inner labia] in women,” says Dr Salil Bharadwaj, consultant plastic surgeon at Bahrain Specialist Hospital. “Typical symptoms include pain from twisting and tugging of the labia when riding a bike, engaging in sporting activity or during intercourse. There might be irritation with itching, and the area may look aesthetically unpleasing, making them self-conscious, especially when wearing [tight-] fitting clothes.” The 30-45-minute corrective procedure is performed under local or general anaesthesia, as per the patient’s wishes, either in the outpatient setting or as a day care case. He says: “The estimated cost is approximately BD1,000, all inclusive. When done by a qualified, experienced surgeon, the surgery poses no grave risks, other than routine risks like a blood clot formation requiring treatment, wound dehiscence [breakdown] and infection. When done improperly, the most common complication is over-resection, which can result in chronic dryness, scarring at or near the vaginal opening and pain with intercourse.” Dr Bharadwaj says: “The discomfort which is felt after any medical procedure responds well to analgaesics and local icing. There is virtually no scarring, particularly with the technique I like to use, which avoids any scar on the edge whatsoever. Results are visible within a few days once the swelling subsides, though final results take four to five weeks to be evident.” He observes that there is now a good demand for this procedure, which is only increasing as more and more women become aware of the condition and understand that there is an easy corrective surgery with permanent results. Women who have not given birth can safely undergo the procedure with no repercussions for future pregnancies. LIFTING THE LID ON LABIAPLASTY Labiaplasty is a medical procedure that has both functional and cosmetic advantages for women. Behnaz Sanjana gets the facts about a topic that’s slowly losing its taboo. Dr Salil Bharadwaj
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mjk0MTkxMQ==