Skip navigation! Story from Health. Young girls are increasingly seeking surgery on their vaginas — known as labiaplasty — because of concerns over how they look. In some cases, girls as young as nine are asking for the operation despite having no medical need for it. But more than such girls had the surgery in , with more than of those under 15, according to NHS figures.
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Back to Health A to Z. Labial fusion, or labial adhesion, is when the small inner lips around the entrance to the vagina become sealed together. In some cases, this can completely seal the vaginal opening, leaving a very small gap at the front that pee passes through. It's not certain what causes labial fusion, but it usually happens as a result of irritation or inflammation of the vaginal area, known as vaginitis. The problem is rarely seen in girls after they begin puberty because this is when they start to produce the hormone oestrogen. For most babies or girls, labial fusion does not cause any problems and is often discovered accidentally by a parent or carer during nappy changing or bathing. Treatment for labial fusion is not recommended unless there are other symptoms, such as dribbling after peeing, which may cause problems or discomfort. Treatment is with oestrogen cream or ointment applied daily or, very rarely, surgical separation.
Girls as young as nine are opting to have surgery on their private parts because of body insecurities that stem from social media and pornography, doctors have revealed. Naomi Crouch, a leading adolescent gynaecologist, told the BBC about the worrying trend and admitted that she is concerned GPs are referring young girls for unneeded labiaplasty - an operation where the lips of the vagina are shortened or reshaped. She also added that the rise is the fault of pornography and social media and that, in her opinion, labiaplasty should only be performed on girls who have a medical abnormality.
