Clitoral Hoodectomy’s are helping women reclaim their body confidence and enhance their sexual pleasure. Although considered a cosmetic surgery, Clitoral Hoodectomy’s are increasingly common as women seek to increase their confidence, comfort, and mental wellbeing.
As taboos surrounding cosmetic surgery are reducing, women are feeling empowered to secure their own body confidence. In fact, The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) shared in its annual audit for 2024-2025 that there has been a 5% overall rise in cosmetic procedures this year.
Speaking with the BBC, president of BAAPS, Nora Nugent said that, “cosmetic surgery has become more accessible and affordable. This has coincided with a shift in attitudes towards cosmetic procedures over the past decade because of a movement in society towards wellness and looking after oneself.”
From boob jobs and face lifts to liposuction and genital surgery, women are taking control of their bodies and making changes that boost their confidence, comfort, and happiness.
In this article we will be discussing Clitoral Hoodectomy; the benefits, risks, and what to expect so that you can make your choice with confidence.
What is a Clitoral Hoodectomy and Why Might I Need One?
A Clitoral Hoodectomy is a genital cosmetic procedure that involves reducing the size of the clitoral hood or removing it completely.
The clitoral hood is the skin that surrounds and protects the clitoris. In some women, the clitoral hood can be too big, causing discomfort. In others, it may not have the desired aesthetic, making women feel self-conscious – especially during sexual activities.
Women who feel self-conscious about their bodies find it affects their sex life as well as their mental health. According to research, 60% of adults have negative feelings about their bodies and 28% of women feel this affects their self-confidence during intimacy. Clitoral Hoodectomy seeks to restore this lost confidence and help women to feel comfortable and happy in their bodies.
What Problems Does a Clitoral Hoodectomy Seek to Resolve?
Women have many reasons for undergoing clitoral hood reduction surgery. Some of the most common include:
Aesthetic Concerns: 1 in 6 women feel anxious or embarrassed about how their labia looks. If you feel self-conscious about the size or shape of your clitoral hood and it is affecting your intimate relationships and sexual pleasure, a Clitoral Hoodectomy could be the solution you are looking for.
Discomfort: some women find that having a large clitoral hood can cause discomfort, especially during intercourse, physical exercise and sport, or while wearing tight clothing.
Sexual Satisfaction: the clitoris is the size of a pea and yet it has at least 8,000 nerve endings. However, a large clitoral hood can get in the way of these nerve endings, reducing sensitivity and sensation during intercourse. This can negatively interfere with sexual arousal and has the potential to disrupt orgasm.
Hygiene Struggles: a hooded clitoris can be difficult to keep clean, trapping moisture and bacteria and leading to hygiene problems and infections.
Post-Childbirth Changes: vaginal childbirth can cause the clitoral hood to loosen, appearing drooped. This can negatively impact both the vaginas look and function, reducing sexual pleasure and causing a lack of body confidence.
Most women get a clitoral hood reduction at the same time as a labiaplasty in order to achieve the look they are hoping for. If this is something you are interested in, please speak with a member of our team who will be able to advise you.
Now let’s walk through the procedure so that you know what to expect.
Clitoral Hoodectomy Procedure Overview
A Clitoral Hoodectomy is an outpatient procedure which means that you can usually go home the same day. The procedure itself only takes a couple of hours and you will be placed under general anesthesia for your comfort.
The Procedure: If you are having a labiaplasty as well as a clitoral hood reduction, your surgeon will carry out the labiaplasty first and will then move onto the Clitoral Hoodectomy. This involves trimming away excess skin from your clitoral hood and then closing the wounds using dissolvable stitches. Your surgeon will take great care not to disturb the vaginal tissue or the nerves around your clitoris glands.
Aftercare: After the procedure is complete, you will be monitored and checked to see if you are bleeding more than expected. Great care will be taken to ensure you are comfortable and well looked after while you recover.
Going Home: At the point you are discharged (usually a couple of hours after the surgery is complete), you will be given instructions on how to take care of your wound properly to aid in a quick recovery.
Are There Any Risks of a Clitoral Hoodectomy?
As with any surgical procedure, Clitoral Hoodectomy does carry some risks. While the risks below are unlikely to occur, it is important to be aware of them so that you can make an informed choice. The risks of a Clitoral Hoodectomy include:
- Excessive vaginal bleeding
- A collection of blood called a Hematoma
- Infection
- Damage to the clitoral nerves
- Over-resection – removal of too much tissue
- Under-resection – not removing enough tissue
If you have an under-resection, you may need or want another procedure to remove more tissue. However, there is unfortunately no way to correct an over-resection.
Before you commit to having a Clitoral Hoodectomy, your surgeon will explain the risks of the procedure in advance so that you have all the information you need to make an informed decision. And you will be given the opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.
Recovering from a Clitoral Hoodectomy
Following a Clitoral Hoodectomy, you can expect some pain, swelling and discomfort in your vaginal area. This is to be expected as your body heals from surgery. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to support faster recovery:
- Take a week off work to rest
- Wear loose-fitting clothing
- Shower rather than bathe
- Pat the vagina dry after showering
- Apply a cold pack over your underwear for 20 minutes at least once a day
- Pat the vaginal area (don’t wipe) after using the bathroom
- Elevate your bottom by using pillows when lying down
- Take over-the-counter pain relief to ease discomfort
- Avoid sex or intimate contact near your clitoris for 4-6 weeks
- Avoid using tampons for 4-6 weeks
You should find that swelling improves within 6 weeks. However, some women find their genital area looks swollen for up to 6 months after surgery. This is normal, as the vagina is an intimate area, so rest assured that swelling will go down eventually. If you have any concerns, please speak with your healthcare provider who will be able to help you.
When to Seek Medical Advice
Having surgery on an intimate area can, understandably, raise a lot of questions. And post-surgery you may experience symptoms that make you wonder what’s normal and what isn’t. If you experience any of the following symptoms after a clitoral hood reduction, you must call your healthcare provider:
- Excessive bleeding
- Swelling that won’t go away
- Excessive bruising of the vaginal area
- Severe genital pain
- Foul-smelling discharge or a high fever (these could indicate an infection)
The symptoms listed above are not a normal part of recovery, rather they are typically a sign that something is wrong. Therefore, if you experience any of these symptoms it is vital that you contact your healthcare provider immediately.
The Benefits of Clitoral Hoodectomy
Clitoral hood reductions offer a host of wonderful physical and emotional benefits, positively impacting a woman’s life and enhancing her happiness:
Improved Self-Esteem and Body Confidence: one of the most talked about benefits of clitoral hood reduction is the positive impact it can have on female body confidence and self-esteem. For women who feel particularly self-conscious about their genital area, a Clitoral Hoodectomy can help restore body confidence and increase self-esteem.
Greater Sexual Pleasure: many women report enhanced sexual pleasure and stronger orgasms following a Clitoral Hoodectomy. By uncovering the clitoris, a Clitoral Hoodectomy can often increase sexual stimulation, leading to a more enjoyable and satisfying sex life.
Increased Physical Comfort: by removing excess tissue from the clitoral hood, a Clitoral Hoodectomy can reduce discomfort, friction, and rubbing around the genital area. This helps women feel comfortable and confident in their clothes, in everyday situations, and also during intimate moments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clitoral hood reduction is an intimate surgery and understandably, many women have questions about it. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions our team gets asked by women considering this procedure.
Is Clitoral Hoodectomy Funded by the NHS?
No. Clitoral Hoodectomy is not funded by the NHS, the reason being it is considered to be a cosmetic surgery. If, however, you are struggling with significant discomfort, mental health issues, or medical challenges as a result of your clitoral hood, there is a very small chance you might receive funding from the NHS. However, this can be a very long process and successfully securing funding is fairly unlikely.
Will Clitoral Hoodectomy Cause Scarring?
As with any surgical procedure, a Clitoral Hoodectomy can result in scarring – especially when combined with a labiaplasty procedure. However, the appearance of any scarring should be minimal and is expected to fade over time.
Is Clitoral Hoodectomy Included in a Labiaplasty Procedure?
While a clitoral hood reduction is not a standard part of the labiaplasty procedure, it can be carried out at the same time. In fact, for patients wanting a clitoral hood reduction, carrying out both procedures in one surgery is what’s often recommended.
How Long Does Recovery Take?
Recovering from a Clitoral Hoodectomy usually takes around 6 weeks, as long as you follow your surgeon’s instructions for after-care and do what you can to support your body’s healing. If you have any worries or concerns during your recovery, our team will be happy to assist you.
Explore Clitoral Hoodectomy Today
Clitoral Hoodectomy’s are transforming the way women feel about and interact with their bodies. With taboos around cosmetic surgery shrinking and women feeling empowered to chase their own happiness, genital cosmetic surgeries like Clitoral Hoodectomy’s are on the rise.
We hope this article has provided you with helpful information about clitoral hood reduction and all that it involves. If you would like to find out more about Clitoral Hoodectomy’s at our clinic, please get in touch with a member of our team who can book you in for a free consultation. We would love to discuss your desired outcome and share how we can help you.