Labiaplasty surgery can boost a woman’s mental health: study

Forget retail therapy.

Women are turning from designer handbags to stylish vaginas to improve their looks and boost their mental health – which is scientifically proven to help.

Labiaplasty surgery — also known as “vagina engineer” surgery — has been on the rise in recent years, growing in the U.S. 217% between 2012 and 2017 and 20% between 2017 and 2021.

Dr. Usha Rajagopal, a board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of The V Suite, confirmed to The Post that she has recently noticed a “significant increase” in these procedures, which she began performing in 1999.

The cosmetic procedure reshapes the vaginal “lips” by removing excess tissue with a scalpel or laser to shorten the labia minora, making them less prominent and more in line with the labia majora.

Conducting the largest review of women who have undergone the procedure, published in the Journal of Cosmetic Surgery, researchers have found that the operation is not only physically safe, but can positively enhance women’s mental health.

Women generally undergo labiaplasty to address functional issues, including discomfort during sex caused by the size or shape of the labia minora, or aesthetic concerns. The medical rationale is not clear.

On the other hand, improved mental health is certain, the researchers said.

“Considering the degree to which the procedure increases self-image and sex life, doctors may also decide for psychological reasons,” concluded co-author Levente Sára, associate professor at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University.

However, he noted that “many women, especially young women, choose to undergo the procedure at the suggestion of their partner” and recommends that psychologists be involved “to ensure that patients are making decisions for the right reasons.”

Regardless of why women go under the knife – or the laser – experts from Semmelweis University in Budapest analyzed data from 3,600 women who underwent labiaplasty and found that 95% of patients were satisfied with the results.

The researchers also found that labiaplasty has a complication rate of only 0.5%.

In comparison, Research shows that eye color surgery – which is on the rise – comes with a staggering 92% chance of complicationsions, while gluteal fat transfers – also known as Brazilian butt lifts – have a 38% risk.

Labiaplasty surgeries performed with a scalpel were found to have a higher risk of complications such as bleeding, swelling or hematoma. Meanwhile, procedures performed with radiofrequency had lower recovery time, minimal risk of complications and high patient satisfaction.

However, the difference in complications was not statistically significant. Experts also noted that less data has been collected on radiofrequency labiaplasty because it was recently approved.

“It’s not uncommon for women to develop self-consciousness about the appearance of their lips at a young age,” she said.

“If a woman prefers a labial appearance that is less prominent and feels that this change will increase her comfort during sex and intimacy, labiaplasty can be a great option.”

However, she is sure to reassure patients that labia come in all shapes and sizes.

“There is a wide spectrum of what is considered normal,” said Dr. Rajagopal.