While clitoral hood reduction may sound intimidating, the tissues removed are actually quite far away from the clitoris itself. Clitoral hood reduction removes the folds of tissue from the sides of the top of the vulva. Very often the labia minora are connected to the extra bands of tissue on each side of the clitoris. In the medical textbooks, these folds are often known as a labia reduplication. Sometimes the clitoral hood tissues are also known as the prepuce. In either case a clitoral hood reduction brings balance to nearly every single labiaplasty procedure and so in most cases, I perform a clitoral hood reduction alongside the labiaplasty.
Some surgeons will only perform a labiaplasty. In those cases, the labia are reduced, but the upper part of the vulva, namely, the clitoral hood, tissues are too puffy, full and large. Some women complain about this imbalance, and the prominence in that area can be distressing. For that reason and others I always recommend that the clitoral hood be evaluated for reduction.
Obviously, the main concern about reducing the clitoral hood is the concern about loss of sensation. But again because the hood tissues are really removed only along the sides, and far away from the clitoris itself. I have not experienced any patients having decreased sensation or problems with orgasm after my labiaplasty with clitoral hood reduction technique.
I’m always very grateful for the trust the patients have in me, and I spend a large amount of time studying the anatomy of each of my patients, as well as the female anatomy as a whole, and have a deep understanding of the path of the potential nerves in the perineum. This allows me to safely create the appropriate balance and contour to the vulva, and achieve a “tucked in” look without the additional folds that very often get in the way of clothing, exercise, intercourse, and life!