Labia reduction NHS, option?

[targaryen1]

Hi all, I just thought I’d post here as many have probably had some form of problem with their lady bits post natal. I had my son over 17 months ago. I have always had rather large labia, but as I got older and exposed myself to less edited bodies, I became at piece with my lady bits. After having my son, I’ve found my labia to be extremely sore. I have to wear underwear constantly because between my legs it’s just super uncomfortable. I get quite a lot of chaffing/ catching, soreness during sex due to my dangly bits. I also seem to get more infections such as thrush etc. Sorry to be gross. I just feel like ripping them off because they’re causing me so much pain and irritation. And luckily I have a very amazing partner, so there’s no issue with the aesthetics, I feel comfortable visually. I’m not naive enough to think I’m out of the ordinary, but this is definitely abnormal. And I’m aware people can have foreskin removal on the nhs for similar reasons? So before I approach a surgeon and pay thousands just to be physically comfortable, do you think it’s worth seeing any GP just to check to see if there is anything they can do? I’m not sure the guidelines and I feel awful for hoping the NHS could fund something like that, but people with genuine medical needs surely can get some form of consideration?

He worst they could say is No so always worth asking. Don't think it will be priority referral any time soon so depends how long you are.willing to wait. Personally if I could afford private I would just get it done at this time.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/labiaplasty/
Guess you'll be going private......

I would work on reducing the discomfort. You could have a form of dermatitis, or it could be a nerve thing - amitriptyline is sometimes prescribed for this. Would be less drastic than surgery! I don't understand the comments about the aesthetics, is there a way they are supposed to look? I wonder if your feeling of them being "wrong" somehow is influencing your desire for surgery.

I’m a Gp - we don’t have funding for this in our area. You could always have a consultation but be aware it likely won’t be available on the Nhs

Have you been thoroughly investigated to see if anything could be causing the discomfort etc? I would be asking for that - could be something like psoriasis, thrush etc.

Thanks for your replies! In regards to going private, it’s not 100% financially doable without some form of payment plan. So In essence I can’t exactly afford to go private, but would certainly have to do so. I am aware the funding is very limited therefor there is certain criteria. My labia had seemed to become bigger or at least more uncomfortable after birth and all my swelling went down. I guess there is no harm in getting my gp to check. And also I seem to be very sensitive down there but I’m not sure if that’s just the fact there’s more of me. I will defo get this all checked out once COVID-19 has died down, and I hope I get told everything is okay and that there are some other ways of managing. It’s just a shame labiaplastys have become more cosmetic therefor the criteria that needs to be met needs to be quite strict. I just want to feel comfortable, feel like yanking them off lol

You might find some ideas on this recent thread OP www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_health/3817381-burning-vulva-only-when-walking

I had it done on the nhs last year had to fill in a nhs funding form and it was all approved. They did try to put me off having it done. In all honestly the pain was horrific although I got an infection. Labia is smaller now but doesn't make it pretty or perfect. If I had known about the pain and the fact it's not that much different I would not of had it done.

Mine by far wasn't the worst they had seen and I didn't expect them to take me seriously or say I could have it on the nhs I think it depends on which area . Getting the gp to refer you is the first step but I had read to be prepared to be told no.

It's absolutely worth asking. Book a GP appointment and see what they say.

@targaryen1
Hope you get something sorted. I won't bore you with my problems... But really feel for any woman who's having these sorts of issues.

Flowerbomb1982
Since you had it done can u tell me if u got referred to gyneacologist.
I just want to knw because today I rang my Gp to have labiaplasty for medical reasons aswell not for cosmetics and they referred me to a gynaecologist.
targaryen1 any updates