The clitoral hood is the skin that surrounds and protects the body and head of the clitoris. The foreskin or prepuce is the thinner skin of the lower part of the clitoral hood that overlies the sensitive head of the clitoris. There is significant variation in the size and shape of each woman’s clitoral hood, and, for many, it can appear disproportionately enlarged.
A protruding clitoral hood and clitoris can be a source of embarrassment and discomfort for many women which greatly impacts their daily lives. This protrusion can appear as a bulge in tight clothing or look like a small penis. The emotional and physical distress can be so disruptive that some women avoid sexual intimacy.
Dr. Alter has helped many women with a clitoral hood reduction with or without clitoropexy or clitoris reduction, giving them the look and feel they want without losing sensation.
For the purpose of this discussion, clitoris reduction will not be discussed and will be explained in another section. Many women confuse clitoris enlargement with clitoral hood enlargement. Even though the clitoral hood is enlarged with clitoris enlargement, determination of the presence of clitoris enlargement must be determined.
The clitoral hood reduction surgery is a procedure that reduces the size of the clitoral hood to ensure a more aesthetically pleasing, comfortable, and proportionate appearance. Depending on the position of the clitoris, the clitoral hood, and the patient’s desires, Dr. Alter will also perform clitoropexy, which simply repositions the clitoris and allows a more aggressive reduction. A clitoropexy cannot be performed on a woman with clitoris enlargement as the sutures will not hold, so a clitoris reduction must be done.
The clitoropexy with hood reduction was invented by Dr. Alter over 15 years ago to transform the enlarged hood to a more natural post-surgical appearance. He has performed this procedure hundreds of times with outstanding patient satisfaction. As his unique approach has not been published, patients will not receive this technique from any other surgeon.
The clitoropexy/clitoral hood reduction can be done alone or with the Alter central wedge labiaplasty.
You may be a candidate for clitoral hood reduction with or without clitoropexy if you are unhappy with the size, protrusion, and appearance of your clitoral hood. Many of Dr. Alter’s clitoral hood reduction patients feel physical discomfort as their enlarged clitoral hood causes friction in tight clothing, exercise, or with sex. They may experience such overwhelming embarrassment that they avoid sexual intimacy, impacting their relationships.
Candidates for clitoral hood reduction surgery with or without clitoropexy should be healthy, not smoke, and have realistic expectations about their results.
If you believe you are a candidate for clitoral hood reduction surgery with or without clitoropexy, schedule a consultation with Dr. Gary Alter, the premier vaginal rejuvenation and genital reconstruction plastic surgeon in New York, and he will gladly discuss your options with you.
The female anatomy is incredibly diverse, with every clitoris and clitoral hood having unique features. This is why Dr. Alter incorporates multiple techniques in clitoral hood reduction surgery with or without clitoropexy.
The specific techniques used for your clitoral hood reduction with/without clitoropexy will be determined at your consultation with Dr. Alter.
Dr. Gary J. Alter is board certified in plastic surgery and urology, giving him invaluable expertise and unparalleled experience in genital anatomy and cosmetic procedures. His subspecialties include genital plastic surgery and genital reconstruction. Dr. Alter is not just a plastic surgeon who performs some genital procedures: he is a pioneer in genital plastic surgery and a leading genital surgeon in the world. He has been performing these procedures for almost 30 years.
His compassion and skill for the profession are exemplified by the stunning results he gives his patients and his invaluable innovations in the field. He has created and perfected multiple male and female aesthetic genital procedures, including buried/hidden penis surgery, new techniques for scrotum reduction, modern MTF genital confirmation surgery techniques, and more.
Most notably, he invented the Alter central wedge labiaplasty technique to provide patients with more natural, aesthetically pleasing, and comfortable labia. This method became the gold standard of labiaplasty, earning him international recognition as the leading expert in this procedure. He also innovated and pioneered the clitoral hood reduction with/without clitoropexy and many techniques to reconstruct women with botched labiaplasty and clitoral hood reductions.
Dr. Alter will provide this level of experience, skill, and compassion to all of his surgeries.
Patients are typically placed under general anesthesia or local with intravenous sedation. Occasional local anesthesia can be used for minor hood reductions. Dr. Alter will discuss your options during your consultation.
All surgical procedures carry some risk, but Dr. Alter performs the clitoral hood reduction with a meticulous hand to avoid complications. Following aftercare instructions will help prevent chances of infection or excess bleeding. The complication rate is very minimal.
The length of your clitoral hood reduction will depend on a few factors, including whether or not Dr. Alter performs clitoropexy an/or labiaplasty. A simple hood reduction can take a half-hour whereas combining a clitoropexy with labiaplasty can take three hours.
It is an outpatient procedure, so you can return home once it is completed.
Recovery after the clitoral hood reduction will vary between patients. You will receive a long-lasting local anesthetic to minimize post-operative pain. Generally, most women can return to work after a few days.
Dr. Alter will provide you with specific post-operative instructions. Wear loose-fitting clothing and protect your surgical site for a few weeks. Avoid any exercise for three to four weeks. Sex should also be avoided for six weeks.
The cost of clitoral hood reduction will vary depending on the extent of your surgery, the technique used, and if you combine it with any other procedures. Additional cost factors include geographic location, anesthesia fees, facility, and surgeon fees.
Dr. Alter understands that the cost of your clitoral hood reduction is most likely a compelling factor for you. It is important to choose a trusted, experienced aesthetic genital specialist for this delicate procedure. Other surgeons may be able to perform a “similar” surgery at a lower cost, but you will be sacrificing the care, skill and experience that Dr. Alter offers. In fact, over half of Dr. Alter’s patients come to him to perform revisions or redos from the procedures performed by other surgeons.
Dr. Alter understands the importance of patient comfort and trust, which is why he practices a patient-first philosophy. He will happily provide a cost estimate once a surgical plan has been established and agreed upon.
Dr. Alter has performed upwards of thousands of clitoral hood reduction surgeries and over 400 clitoropexies — none of these patients have reported a loss of sensation.
If your clitoral hood obstructs the clitoral glans, it may be affecting sensation and making it more difficult for you to achieve orgasm. Once Dr. Alter reduces the size of the clitoral hood, the clitoris will be more exposed, allowing for an increase in sensation. However, care must be taken to prevent over-exposure of the clitoris, which can be irritating and unsightly. Many of his clitoral hood reduction patients claim they can achieve orgasm more readily than before, improving their overall sexual satisfaction.
Yes. Natural enhancement of the aesthetic and function of the clitoral hood and clitoris are two factors that Dr. Alter strives to achieve with every surgery. After your procedure, you will have a smaller, more natural-looking clitoral hood.
Clitoral hood reduction surgery with/without clitoropexy is long lasting; however, no surgery can prevent changes to the body. Nonetheless, it is rare to undergo this procedure twice if Dr. Alter has performed it.
Clitoral hood reduction with/without clitoropexy will not affect your ability to get pregnant or give birth. Pregnancy may temporarily affect the size of the hood, but this is rarely permanent. Vaginal delivery will not damage your clitoral hood or clitoris.
Dr. Alter and the entire team are dedicated to providing every patient with exceptional individualized care—from consultation to recovery. We take the time to learn about your concerns, goals, and desires, so we can build a plan that addresses your concerns and gets you the
results you deserve.
A botched labiaplasty can be a devastating experience, and for some women, it can cause them to lose confidence in themselves and feel uncomfortable in their bodies. But it doesn’t have to…
