Woman Calls for Labia Surgery Ban After Painful Experience

A woman who underwent labiaplasty at the age of 22 is urging for a ban on the procedure after suffering from severe complications. Riley Smith, who has described her experience as living in “excruciating pain,” believes the practice should be classified similarly to female genital mutilation (FGM). The operation, which alters the appearance of the labia, has gained notoriety as a trend on social media, particularly TikTok, where over 7,000 posts about the procedure have emerged since 2024.

Smith first became aware of labiaplasty when she was 14, feeling insecure about the size of her labia. Influenced by peers, she pursued the surgery, convinced it would enhance her confidence. She reported being told that the procedure was “super simple” and that she was the “perfect candidate.” Following surgery, however, she faced numerous complications, including irritation, dryness, and recurrent infections. Smith shared with The Independent, “I can’t sit directly on it for long, and sex is now excruciatingly painful and mentally distressing.”

The Vavengers, a charity focused on ending violence against women and girls, is advocating for labiaplasty to be treated as a criminal act similar to FGM. Chief executive Sema Gornall argues that the procedure has become “normalized” on social media, contributing to harmful beauty standards. Gornall emphasized the risks associated with labiaplasty, stating, “If I can’t consent to cutting off my arm without a medical reason, I can’t consent to cutting off my genitalia as well.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines FGM as “all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.” While FGM is illegal in the United Kingdom, labiaplasty remains legal for individuals over 18 who consent to the surgery. In 2024, there were 635 labiaplasty operations recorded in the UK, a slight decrease from the previous year, according to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.

Dr. Kate Goldie Townsend, a lecturer at Exeter University specializing in political philosophy and children’s rights, noted that the increasing trend of labiaplasty is linked to societal pressures surrounding beauty norms. She stated, “The rise in labiaplasty as a trend on platforms like TikTok adds to the incessant pressure on girls and women to conform to rigid, patriarchal beauty norms.”

In discussing the implications of the procedure, Dr. Townsend highlighted the potential physical and psychological risks associated with labiaplasty, which mirror those of FGM. These include bleeding, infection, and sexual dysfunction due to nerve damage. Despite the risks, many women pursue the surgery believing it will boost their confidence.

Gornall, along with Vavengers ambassador Payzee Mahmood, who has personal experience with FGM, reiterated that labiaplasty is often framed as an empowering choice. Mahmood remarked, “This is done for men in the same way that FGM is done for men.”

The UK government has stated it currently has no plans to ban private labiaplasty for adults, which can cost around £4,000. A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care remarked, “Prioritizing women’s health and safety is paramount. Labiaplasty is only available on the NHS in exceptional circumstances.”

The WHO has commented that while it develops guidance to combat the prevalence of FGM, decisions about labiaplasty and other cosmetic surgeries are not within their primary focus. As the debate continues, Smith’s experience highlights the urgent need for a reevaluation of how such procedures are promoted and perceived in society.