Is clitoral hood reduction recommended for me?

Question

I would like to know if my clitoris is too big and if I should get a clitoral hood reduction or which surgery would be useful? My clit is 27mm long and I think that it is too big. When I put my legs together its still visible and maybe thats abnormal? I would be thankful for a professional response about possible surgeries.

Gary J. Alter, MD · Answer

I cannot tell if your clitoris is enlarged or your clitoral hood is just too bulky and long. I need to see photos pulling up on your clitoral hood showing the head of your clitoris. You also need to mention if your clitoris sticks out a lot further on arousal.If you just have extra tissue on your clitoral hood, it can be reduced. Since your clitoral hood is thick, wide, and protuberant. It can be decreased somewhat by reducing the sides. I invented a clitoropexy with clitoral hood reduction in which the clitoris is pushed closer to the pubic bone and the width, thickness, length, and protuberance of the clitoral hood can be decreased. I have done it over 250 times with excellent results.  I have not published this technique, so no one does it like me.  If your clitoris is enlarged, a clitoral hood reduction will not resolve your issue, but will make you worse if a clitoris reduction is not also done. A clitoropexy will not work, because your enlarged clitoris will pull out the sutures. 
Very few surgeons perform a clitoris reduction, since it is technically challenging and is rarely taught. It is an intricate procedure, since the sensory nerves have to be carefully preserved.  I have done over 50 reductions without any loss of sensation or orgasmic ability. The clitoral reduction reduces the glans or head and also removes the erectile tissue in the shaft. After surgery, the clitoris will not stick out much or increase with arousal. The surgery is not very uncomfortable.  It takes up to 3 1/2 hours and includes clitoral hood reduction.  A labia minora reduction and/or labia majora reduction or enlargement can be done at the same time. As the inventor of the central wedge labiaplasty, I recommend this technique as it gives a very natural appearance.

Gary J. Alter, M.D.
Beverly Hills, CA - Manhattan, NY - Dubai, UAE

Michael Litrel, MD, FACOG, FPMRS · Answer

In general if its not bothering you don't have surgery.  CHR is a minor surgery to address the skin that covers the clitoris - not the clitoris itself.  Your photos look fine but if aesthetics bother you then a surgery that would help you would address the clitoral hood and possibly labia minora and majora.  You need to see a specialist.   Good luck!

Ryan A. Stanton, MD · Answer

Allow me to answer your question as best i can based upon your photos. However, please keep in mind that an in-person consultation with physical exam is first necessary before any legitimate analysis or final surgical recommendations can be made.  You do appear to have a relatively elongated clitoris but not excess hood skin thus a hoodectomy may not serve you well.  Instead a clitoropexy may be a better option to actually shorten the shaft of the clitoris. Like any surgery, clitoropexy comes with it’s own inherent risks and limitations.  Be sure your chosen labiaplasty surgeon discusses all this with you.  Glad to help

Troy Robbin Hailparn, MD · Answer

Dear Melissa068,Thank you for writing in with your excellent question and for sharing your photos.  Your anatomy appears normal and you do not have a lot of extra skin around your hood, but it is somewhat prominent.  There is a wide range of sizes and lengths of clitoral hoods and as long as you aren't having any issues related to ability to orgasm, all is good.  I don't recommend any surgery on your hood but if you are concerned, it is best to find a cosmetic-plastic gynecologist who is experienced in clitoral hood surgeries and get more than one opinion before committing to any type of procedure.I hope this information is helpful.Sincerely,Troy R. Hailparn, M.D., FACOG, FAACSCosmetic Gynecology Center of San Antonio

Amir Nakhdjevani, MBBS, MRCS, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Thanks for your question.First and foremost, none of what you have described or shown is abnormal. That is your normal and this is not soemthign that has to have surgery if it doesnt bother you. Now, if you don tlike the appearance and want to have surgery to address this, then this would ideally need an examination to address the volume of skin over the clitoris, the size of the clitoris and the volume and position the clitoris increases to on stimulation. The procedures that are possible could be a clitoral hood reduction and possibly a clitoropexy but this does depend on the examinationI hope this is of helpBW

George Shashoua, MD · Answer

You do not have excessive skin at the clitoral hood or labia. The clitoris itself does droop and protrude a little. This is only a significant finding if it is bothersome to you. You would need an in person exam to assess the actual size of the clitoris itself. Sometimes there are hormonal changes to be addressed and hormone testing may be recommended. The treatment for a bulging or sagging clitoris is clitoropexy, surgically lifting the clitoris. You can read more about clitoropexy and see pictures at the provided link. Best of luck.

Adam J. Oppenheimer, MD, FACS · Answer

A hood reduction does not shorten the clitoris. a clitoropexy or clitoral lift is the only way to shorten a long clitoris. I strongly recommend against such a surgery. The risk is not worth the cosmetic benefit. A rare few doctors are brave enough to do clitoral lifts and I am not one of them. 
That said, a hood reduction is extraordinarily safe and can push the clitoris inwards towards your body. There still may be a cleft between the outer labia, but it will be much narrower. 
Clitoral length and size is much like penis length and size. Highly variable and essentially always “normal”. A consultation may help clarify your anatomy and what can be done safely to address it. Then you will be able to decide if surgery is worth it.

Suny Caminero, MD · Answer

Based on the pictures I do not suggest a clitoral hood reduction.  You have a normal appearing clitoris.

Michael P. Goodman, MD, FACOG · Answer

Your body looks totally normal, Melissa. Yes, you have a "robust" clitoral body (which cannot be size-reduced) and "foreskin" (clitoral hood") which can be size-reduced to produce a less protuberant appearance, but you are not "abnormal!".It really only has to do with "bother." Does this appearance truly BOTHER you enough to seek surgical reduction (understanding that you are in no way "abnormal.") If it does, then for Gods sake only seek out the services of a surgeon who has much experience in hood reduction and can prove this to you with at least dozens of "before and after" pics where (s)he had done reduction surgery (with or without concomitant labial reduction.) RealSelf's webs reference below may give you further insight.In your New York City area you have many accomplished female genital plastic/cosmetic surgeons including Drs. Duncan Hunter, Kevin Jovanovic, Marco Pelosi III, Rob Jason, and others...Best wishes,Michael P Goodman, MDDavis, CA, USA

Is clitoral hood reduction recommended for me?

Answers (9)

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