Labial Length and Patient Symptomatology: Is There a Correlation?

ABSTRACT

Background: Labia minora length is used in classification systems and to determine labiaplasty candidacy, with shorter labia leading to nonsurgical recommendations. Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between labia length and symptomatology. Methods: Patients undergoing labiaplasty from January 2017 to May 2023 underwent chart review. Data collected included age, exposed, and total labia length. Patients completed a preoperative survey with possible scores from 0 to 13 to gauge complaints and symptoms. Results: Out of 50 charts with complete data, the average age was 34. Exposed labia lengths were 10.1 mm (right) and 11.4 mm (left); total lengths from sulcus to edge measured 32.0 mm (right) and 33.4 mm (left). Survey scores averaged 6.5 (range, 2-11) median of 7. The correlation between exposed labia length and symptoms yielded Pearson correlation coefficient values (R) of 0.25 for both right and left sides, with coefficient of determination (r 2) values at 0.06. For total labia length, R values were 0.08 (right) and 0.06 (left), and r 2 values were 0.007 (right) and 0.003 (left). Conclusions: The correlation between a patient's exposed and total labia length and reported symptomatology is weak. Patients with longer labia can experience few symptoms, just as those with shorter labia can have a high degree of symptomatology. Rather than use labia length as a primary factor determining labiaplasty candidacy, the focus should be on patient-reported symptoms.