Can You Shrink a Clitoral Hood?

For many women, the size and shape of their labia can be a concern, and often they wish to change it to make them feel better about themselves. There is nothing wrong with doing so – in fact, there are many procedures out there that can change almost every part of the labia, the vagina, and even the mons pubis. So many women are often left wondering whether or not it is possible to shrink the clitoral hood or change the shape of the hood. Thanks to the advancements in cosmetic gynecology, clitoral hood reductions have become a pretty routine procedure that can be done for women who wish to have their clitoral hood shrunken down. 

What Are the Clitoris and Clitoral Hood?

The clitoris is part of the female anatomy and is made by the labia minora, or the inside lips around the vaginal opening, coming together. This creates the clitoris, which is an important organ for female orgasms. Thousands of nerve endings are present in the clitoris, which is one of the most important organs for a woman’s sexual satisfaction.

The clitoral hood is the area of skin that protects the clitoris. This skin is found around the clitoris. When a woman becomes sexually aroused, the clitoral hood pulls back and exposes the clitoris. However, the clitoral hood protects the clitoris when a woman is not sexually aroused; if the clitoral hood was not present, the clitoris would be too sensitive to touch, and this would cause issues during walking exercising, and even wearing certain clothing items. The clitoral hood also serves another function: creating a type of lubrication, known as sebum, over the clitoris. Both of these functions are similar to that of the foreskin on a male’s penis.

Why Do Some Women Want a Clitoral Hood Reduction?

When it comes to the clitoral hood, there are some things that are important to keep in mind, including the importance of the hood as well as the size. While for many individuals, the size of the clitoral hood is appropriate, for others, it may be too large. When a clitoral hood is too large, it causes issues with the woman being able to feel full sensation during sexual activity. Other women may find themselves dealing with issues with the size of the clitoris due to the size of the clitoral hood – for example, excess clitoral hood tissue could make the clitoris itself appear larger. Because of this, some women seek out a treatment known as a clitoral hood reduction.

In conclusion, some reasons women may opt for a clitoral hood reduction include the following:

Visibility of the clitoral hood through clothing.

• An enlarged clitoris that may be interfering with sexual pleasure.
• The enlarged hood is preventing you from maintaining genital hygiene
• It is causing discomfort due to friction and rubbing

What is a Clitoral Hood Reduction?

A clitoral hood reduction is a procedure that shrinks down the size of the clitoral hood, allowing the clitoris to be more easily exposed. It can also help women who have an enlarged clitoris by removing the excess tissue from the clitoral hood, thereby making the clitoris appear smaller, as well. This minimally invasive procedure utilizes laser technology to accomplish, making for a faster and easier recovery.

How is a Clitoral Hood Reduction Performed?

A clitoral hood reduction is performed by making two small incisions on either side of the clitoral hood. Then, a CO2 laser is used to retract and minimize tissue around the clitoris, known as the clitoral hood. Following this, dissolvable sutures are used to tie up the incisions. Light local sedation is provided for patients undergoing a clitoral hood reduction. However, many women opt to add this procedure to others, such as a labiaplasty or a monsplasty, and have them performed at the same time. The CO2 laser is used in order to reduce bleeding and minimize infection risk to the area.

Recovery After a Clitoral Hood Reduction

Following a clitoral hood reduction, recovery generally is easy, with little pain or discomfort being felt. Women are often advised to take a few days off of work if they need to, and over-the-counter pain medication is often enough to help with any pain you may feel. Cold compresses can also alleviate any discomfort. The dissolvable sutures typically dissolve within four to six weeks. Women are encouraged not to engage in sexual activity for at least six weeks following the procedure to allow the area to heal properly.

If you would like to learn more about the clitoral hood reduction or to schedule an appointment for a consultation, call the office of Dr. Ghozland today at 310-393-9359!