Key facts: A clitoral hood reduction removes excess skin folds around the clitoral hood. It is most often combined with labiaplasty so that the hood does not look bulky once the inner lips are reduced. The clitoris itself is not operated on. It adds about 30–45 minutes to a labiaplasty and the recovery is the same.
The clitoral hood (prepuce) is the fold of skin that covers and protects the clitoris. In some women it has extra vertical or horizontal folds, or it looks bulky compared with the inner lips — especially after a labiaplasty.
Why it is often combined with labiaplasty
If only the inner lips are reduced, a prominent hood can become more noticeable afterwards. Reducing the excess lateral folds at the same time keeps the hood and the inner lips in proportion, which is why the two are frequently planned together.
What is — and is not — changed
- Only the excess skin folds on the sides of the hood are removed.
- The clitoris is not operated on, and enough hood is preserved to keep it covered and protected.
- Incisions follow the natural folds and are closed with fine dissolvable stitches.
Sensation
Protecting sensation is the priority. Conservative removal, careful planning away from the nerve-rich areas and preserving hood coverage keep the risk of altered sensation low. Some women notice temporary hypersensitivity while healing.
Recovery and risks
Recovery is the same as for labiaplasty: swelling for the first days, desk work after about a week, intercourse and sport after about six weeks. Risks include swelling, bleeding, asymmetry, scar sensitivity and, rarely, altered sensation or over-exposure of the clitoris if too much skin is removed — which is why a conservative approach is used.
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