Labial Length and Patient Symptomatology: Is There a Correlation?

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.

Level of evidence 2: