Clitoral Hood Reduction

Surgeons perform clitoral hood reductions to make your clitoral hood smaller. This skin fold covers and protects your clitoris, which is extremely sensitive. Some people have large clitoral hoods that are prone to irritation. Others may want to decrease the size of their hood for aesthetic reasons.

Overview Procedure Details Risks / Benefits Recovery and Outlook When To Call the Doctor

A clitoral hood reduction is a surgery that removes excess tissue from the skin folds that cover and protect your clitoris. These skin folds are your clitoral hood (prepuce). People often get a clitoral hood reduction while getting a labiaplasty.

A clitoral hood reduction is an elective procedure. Although it’s not medically necessary, this type of procedure may help reduce discomfort from excess tissue in this area.

Everyone’s clitoral hood is unique. There’s no ideal or “normal” way for it to look. But a clitoral hood reduction may help you feel more confident about the appearance of your genitalia. It may also fix irritation if your clitoral hood rubs against your clothing or surrounding skin.

Other names for a clitoral hood reduction include:

  • Clitoral hoodectomy.
  • Clitoral hoodoplasty.
  • Clitoral unhooding.

You may consider getting a clitoral hood reduction if you want to:

  • Change the size, shape or look of your clitoral hood.
  • Reduce irritation from clothing or physical activity tugging on or twisting your clitoral hood.

You may get a clitoral hood reduction at the same time as a labiaplasty. This is because getting a labiaplasty alone may not achieve the balanced look you desire.

Most plastic surgeons don’t recommend uncovering your clitoris with this surgery. The clitoral glans is extremely sensitive. Removing too much of your clitoral hood to expose your clitoral glans could have unpredictable results. You may experience frequent clitoris pain.

Talk to your surgeon if increased sensitivity is something you’re expecting from the surgery.

The first step is choosing a plastic or cosmetic surgeon. It’s best to get a clitoral hood reduction from a surgeon who’s board-certified and has experience with this surgery. Don’t hesitate to ask questions when looking for a surgeon to ensure you feel comfortable with them.

Once you find a surgeon, you’ll discuss why you want to get a clitoral hood reduction. You’ll go over your expectations and goals, as well as the risks of the surgery. They’ll ensure you have realistic expectations about how the surgery may improve your well-being.

You may need presurgical tests, like blood tests and urinalysis. Your surgical team will also give you instructions about:

  • What to wear to the procedure.
  • When to stop eating and drinking.
  • When to adjust or temporarily stop certain medications.

A clitoral hood reduction is an outpatient procedure that usually takes fewer than two hours. You go home the same day. You may get local anesthesia to numb the treatment area while you stay awake or are partially sedated for the procedure. Or you may get general anesthesia, which makes you go to sleep.

During the procedure, your surgeon:

  1. Does a labiaplasty first (if desired).
  2. Trims excess skin from your clitoral hood while taking great care not to disturb the tissue and nerves of your clitoris glans.
  3. Closes the wounds with dissolvable stitches.

After surgery, your healthcare team will check to see if you’re bleeding more than expected. Before leaving the surgical center, your providers will give you instructions on how to care for your wound while it heals.

 

Most people who get a clitoral hood reduction are satisfied with their results. Studies show that they report:

  • Aesthetic satisfaction.
  • Decreased self-consciousness.
  • Elimination of physical discomfort.
  • Improved psychological well-being.
  • Increased confidence.

It’s important to make sure you have realistic expectations for the surgery. Your surgeon will go over what you can expect based on your unique anatomy before the procedure.

Like any surgery, a clitoral hood reduction has risks, like:

  • Excessive bleeding
  • Hematoma (collection of blood).
  • Infection.
  • Nerve damage.

In rare cases, your surgeon may remove too much tissue (over-resection) or not enough (under-resection). If you have an under-resection, you may need another procedure to remove more tissue. There isn’t a way to correct an over-resection.

You can expect some pain, swelling and discomfort. Your healthcare provider may recommend taking a week off from work and other physical activities following a clitoral hood reduction with labiaplasty. Recovery from a clitoral hood reduction without labiaplasty is often shorter.

The swelling should improve in six weeks. But your genital area may still look swollen for up to six months after the procedure.

These steps can ease your recovery:

  • Apply a cold pack over your underwear to the area for 20 minutes. Remove the cold pack for 20 minutes and then repeat.
  • Elevate your butt with pillows when lying down.
  • Keep showers brief (don’t bathe) and gently pat dry the area.
  • Pat dry (don’t wipe) after using the restroom.
  • Take antibiotics and pain relievers as directed by your provider.
  • Wear loose-fitting clothing to avoid irritating the area.
  • Don’t have sexual contact near your clitoris or use tampons for four to six weeks.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

After a clitoral hood reduction, you should call your healthcare provider if you experience:

  • Excessive bleeding, swelling or bruising.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Severe pain.
  • Signs of infection, like foul-smelling discharge or fever.
  • American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What is a clitoral hood reduction? (https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/aesthetic-genital-plastic-surgery/clitoral-hood-reduction) Accessed 1/13/2025.
  • American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What is a labiaplasty? (https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/aesthetic-genital-plastic-surgery/labiaplasty) Accessed 1/13/2025.
  • Hunter JG. Labia Minora, Labia Majora, and Clitoral Hood Alteration: Experience-Based Recommendations (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26499942/). Aesthet Surg J. 2016;36(1):71-79. Accessed 1/13/2025.
  • Pan RL, Tople TL, Morrison SD, Oppenheimer AJ. Edge Labiaplasty with Clitoral Hood Reduction: Pitfalls and Pearls (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38600969/). Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2024;12(4):e5735. Accessed 1/13/2025.

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