Urinating in different directions after labiaplasty

Question

Hi everyone, I had a labiaplasty approx a year ago and ever since the procedure I've had trouble urinating in a direct stream. I did not have this issue prior to the labiaplasty and now it's virtually impossible to urinate without getting urine on my thigh due to the mix of direction it goes. I've tried sitting forward and back and it doesn't help. I've spoken to my surgeon and he said it must be swelling as he didn't touch anything internal only externally. What's going on?

Oscar A. Aguirre, MD, FPMRS · Answer

Hello Brooko,
Your labia must be laying or positioned more medially as you sit on the commode thus deflecting your urinary stream. Photos would be helpful to better advise you.

Mark N. Scheinberg, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questionThe urethral opening is about 3/4 inch below your clitoris into which inserts the lower pair of labia. Labiaplasty should not interfere given the distance between structures. A diverting urinary stream can be caused by some adhesions at the urethral opening and a simple mild dilation might fix your problem.

Burcak Tok, MD · Answer

hello, the main function of the inner lips is to keep the urine flow straight. Therefore, this complaint may occur after surgery in the over-shortened labia minora.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Very likely that there is a scar deformity after labia reduction which is causing partial obstruction of urethra opening. It would be in your best interest to address this issue with your surgeon or seek in person second opinion. Good luck.

Marco A. Pelosi III, MD, FACOG, FACS · Answer

You need an exam to see what's going on. The opening where the urine comes out (the external urethral orifice) is the area where the problem arises. It's possible that labial tissue was reoriented and deflecting the urine, but an exam is the only way to determine this.

Adam Ostrzenski, MD, PhD · Answer

Q: What is a possible cause?
A: Every doctor-advisor who gave you a speculative answer is correct, but I am not prepared to do the same because you need an answer now. My humble suggestion is that you see a urologist for evaluation. If you like me to give my opinion, please send pictures before labioreduction and after. It will provide a little more information, but it is not a substitution for the urethral and adjacent structures clinical evaluation.

With regards,
Prof. Dr. Adam Ostrzenski
USA

Michael P. Goodman, MD, FACOG · Answer

Your situation is not unusual. Most likely, prior to your LP you had what I like to describe as "shower curtain urination." This is when, because of the large lips hanging down in front of the urinary meatus (the opening from which you eject your urinary stream), your urine used to hit the lips like a shower curtain, and slid down into the bowl. Now, with the labia much shorter, it comes straight out and goes in whatever direction the opening guides it, which sometimes hits the side and/or "sprays." What to do? Evaluate just where your strem squirts, and adjust your position on the toilet to accommodate this different stream direstion. Hope this helps! Very best,  Michael P Goodman, MD, FACOG, IF, AAACS Davis, CA, USA

Urinating in different directions after labiaplasty

Answers (7)

More Labiaplasty Questions

What procedure can you get done if you a female that has a big clitoris/hanging lips?

Should I get labiaplasty with my clitoral hood reduction for best looking results? (Photos)

Could labiaplasty scar tissue be keloid & how can I heal my tissues?

Painful scar tissue inside labias and mental health. What can be done to treat this?

Labia is mostly gone - what can I do from here?

When should I have labiaplasty after birth & will anesthesia impact breast milk?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS