Clitoropexy

Patients who feel uncomfortable with an enlarged protruding clitoris and hood often seek clitoral surgery known as a clitoropexy or clitoroplasty. This uncomfortable feeling may be functional as it is irritating or physically uncomfortable or aesthetically not comfortable in appearance to the patient.  Only the patient can tell the doctor if the protruding clitoris is an issue.  In Dr Miklos & Moore’s practice approximately 75% of patients wanting a labia minora reduction (labiaplasty) will also need a clitoral hood reduction to achieve superior aesthetic results.  But a clitoral hood reduction is not a clitoropexy / clitoroplasty.

What is the difference between Clitoropexy vs Clitoral Hood Reduction?

There is dramatic difference between clitoral hood reduction and the clitoropexy (enlarged clitoris reduction surgery).  Make sure you, as a potential patient, understands this difference. Many surgeons’ websites offer a clitoropexy or clitoroplasty but when read closely the surgeons are not actually offering a clitoropexy but only a clitoral hood reduction. Only a handful of surgeons in the world actually do clitoropexy surgeries.  So as a consumer you must really understand the difference between the two types of surgery.  Clitoropexies will actually shorten the length of the clitoris so it diminishes the amount of protrusion of the clitoris. Clitoral hood surgeries only reduce the amount of clitoral hood.

 What are the different types of clitoral hood reduction?

There are two main types of clitoral hood (aka prepuce) reduction based upon one’s goals.  Most patients who have enlarged clitoral hoods either want to reduce the width or reduce the length.  Patients with wide clitoral hoods usually have redundant lateral prepuce when compare to those without lateral prepuce.  (Figure 1 & 2).  Patients with elongated clitoral hoods have hood which are longer and completely cover the tip of the clitoris.  (Figure 3)

Lateral prepuce reduction and Clitoral hood shortening are illustrated below in Figures 4 & 5.  These procedures only reduce the excess clitoral hood and do nothing to shorten or retract the protruding clitoris, this more advanced surgical procedure is known as a clitoropexy as seen Figure 6. The clitoropexy requires shortening both the clitoris and the elongated clitoral hood. In the before and after photos below (Figure 6) we see shortening of the clitoral hood from 4.5 cm in length to 2.0 cm in length.  We also see an overall shortening of the hood + tip of the clitoral from 5.25 cm to 3.0 cm.  A reduction of the clitoris of 2.5 cm or 1 inch.  (1 inch = 2.54 cm)

Figure 6
Clitoropexy

What Is the cost of clitoropexy?

Most of the patients seen at Miklos & Moore Urogynecology combine the clitoropexy procedure with the labiaplasty surgery. The cost of clitoropexy procedure by itself starts at $15,000.00.

How much experience does Miklos & Moore Urogynecology have in clitoropexy surgery?

Dr. Miklos & Moore are a premier surgical center for cosmetic vaginal surgery. They have operated on patients form 50 states and 54 countries. They have been performing clitoropexy surgeries for 20 years. Recently they have been trained in a new South American technique of clitoropexy and have found the new technique is less invasive, uses softer sutures, has less irritation and better results.

How do you know if you are a good candidate for a clitoropexy?

Only the patient can decide if her clitoris is too elongated or protruding, and the surgeon can only agree or disagree. No surgeon should ever tell a patient “I think you need this surgery”  Unless the patient is symptomatic or complaining.

Why do women get protruding clitoris, or an enlarged clitoris also known as Clitoromegaly?

Clitoromegaly or an abnormally enlarged clitoris can be congenital (acquired at birth) or acquired over time. Patients can acquire an enlarged clitoris over time, and this is usually due to excessive androgens specifically testosterone / steroids. Excessive testosterone and or steroids can also give patients excessive hair growth as well as an enlarged clitoris.

With the uptick of female HRT which can include testosterone The Miklos & Moore Urogynecology Clinic is seeing more patients with complaints of enlarged clitoris. Often the condition of clitoromegaly can resolve with dose reduction or stoppage of the testosterone. However, patients who have been on testosterone for an extended period of time will often find their condition is irreversible without surgery.

What are the potential complications of clitoropexy?

Complications can occur with any surgery and the complications associated with a clitoropexy or clitoral suspension includes: failure of the clitoropexy to hold or remain suspended (<5%), Inability to achieve amount of lift the patient desires (<5%) , infection (<1%), hematoma (<1%) , over exposure of the clitoris – resulting in hypersensitivity (<1%), chronic pain (<1%), loss of orgasmic function (1%) . Fortunately, Drs’ Miklos and Moore have never had a patient lose function of her clitoral nerve and orgasmic function, though it is possible and will be listed in the surgical consent which must be signed prior to surgery.

How long is the recovery period?

Similar to all other cosmetic vulvar surgeries performed by Drs’ Miklos and Moore the recovery time is 6 weeks. Recovery is defined as no sexual stimulation of the area of surgery for that time, as well as caution not to irritate or rub the area of surgery for the same amount of time. No horseback riding, cycling, straddling, motorcycle riding, squats, lunges over the 6 weeks after surgery.

Why choose Drs. Miklos & Moore to perform your clitoropexy?
Patients come from the world over for surgery by Miklos & Moore Urogynecology because of their experience, expertise, reputation and results. Of course, no surgeon is perfect, and neither are Drs’ Miklos & Moore but they minimize your risks and maximize your results because they have been performing cosmetic vulvar surgery routinely since 1998 and have won numerous national and international cosmetic awards for their unprecedented results. Make sure you review the various surgical cosmetic procedures on their website to see why they are some of the most sought after cosmetic vaginal surgeons in the world.