Exercise, Sex and Tampons After Labiaplasty

After labiaplasty, Dr Reema Hadi's usual plan is light exercise from 2 weeks, heavier exercise from 4 weeks, and sex, tampons and menstrual cups from 6 weeks.

This page goes activity by activity: when you can usually start, and how to ease back in so you protect your stitches while they heal.

Where Dr Hadi's advice depends on how you are healing, you can also call us on 02 9526 6885 before you start.

Why the waiting times matter

Your wound is closed in layers with dissolvable stitches. In the early weeks, pressure, friction and stretching can pull on those stitches, bring swelling back or open the wound.

Feeling well is not the same as being healed. The timings above give the stitch lines time to heal before they take load.

Walking

Move gently around the house from the first day, as staying a little active helps your circulation. Keep to short trips in the first week.

From 2 weeks, walk for exercise. Start with short walks on flat ground in loose clothing, and add a little time every few days. If the area becomes more swollen or sore afterwards, cut back for a day or two.

Going back to work

Physical work: if your job involves lifting, standing or walking a lot, plan about 1 week off.

Desk work: Dr Hadi advises avoiding long periods of sitting in the first week. Working from home with regular breaks, a soft cushion, or a few days off can help.

Driving

Do not drive for at least 24 hours after an anaesthetic. After that, drive when you are comfortable, which is usually after at least a week.

Check first that you can sit, brake hard and turn to look over your shoulder without pain, and that your pain relief is not making you drowsy.

Gym, running and heavier exercise

Heavier exercise can usually start from 4 weeks. Build up over several sessions rather than going straight back to your old routine.

• Start easy: lighter weights, shorter sessions and lower intensity for the first week or two back.
• Running: begin with short, easy runs or walk-run intervals and build distance gradually.
• Strength work: leave wide-leg squats, lunges and other exercises that stretch or press on the area until last.
• Pilates and yoga: skip deep straddle and wide-leg stretches until they feel comfortable.
• Clothing: soft, seamless cotton underwear and looser shorts are more comfortable than tight gym tights at first.

Some swelling after a workout can happen at first. If it does not settle by the next day, ease back.

Cycling, spin and horse riding

These put direct, repeated pressure on the stitch lines, so they need their own all-clear. Dr Hadi will advise at your check-up when you can start.

When you do restart, use padded cycling shorts or a padded seat, keep the first sessions short, and stand up out of the saddle regularly. Stop if you feel rubbing or pain.

Swimming, baths and spas

Your wound needs to be fully closed before you sit in water. Dr Hadi will advise at your check-up when you can swim or have a bath. Generally its 6 weeks.

You can shower from the day after surgery. Let the water run over the area and pat dry.

Sex

Wait 6 weeks before any sexual activity, so the stitches are not disrupted. When you restart, go gently:

• Use plenty of water-based lubricant.
• Take things slowly, and choose positions where you control the pressure and depth.
• Stop if it hurts. Some tenderness the first few times can happen; sharp pain is a reason to stop and call us.
• Call us if you have bleeding after sex.

Longer labia do not usually affect sexual function. Labiaplasty is not done to improve sexual function, and for most women it does not change it. Changes in sensation are a possible risk, which Dr Hadi explains before surgery. See labiaplasty risks and sensation.

Tampons and menstrual cups

Wait 6 weeks before using a tampon or menstrual cup. Until then, use pads for your period.

When you start again, choose a light tampon and go slowly. A menstrual cup is folded, inserted and pulled out close to the labia, so take care: break the seal before removing it, and keep fingernails short.

Planning surgery around your life

Before you book a date, look at the next 6 weeks of your calendar. It is much easier to plan around the timings above than to cut corners later.

• Sport and training: if you compete, ride, cycle or train seriously, book surgery for your off-season and ask Dr Hadi how long to allow for your sport.
• Holidays: a beach or pool holiday, or a long flight or drive, is better planned for after you have been cleared to swim and sit comfortably.
• Your period: work out when your next period or two are due. You will need pads, not tampons or a cup, for the first 6 weeks.
• Relationships: talk to your partner beforehand about the 6 weeks without sex, so there is no pressure to restart early.
• Home and family: arrange help with lifting young children, heavy shopping and housework for at least the first week.

Coming from outside Sydney? See travelling to Sydney for labiaplasty.

Signs you are doing too much

Stop, rest and give it a day if an activity brings on more swelling, soreness or ooze. Call the clinic on 02 9526 6885, or Dr Hadi on her direct number, straight away if you have:

• a temperature above 38°C
• heavy bleeding
• pain, redness or swelling that is getting worse instead of better
• a discharge that smells unpleasant
• a wound that looks like it is opening

All surgery carries risks, and results vary from person to person. For the full recovery plan, see labiaplasty recovery week by week and swelling and scars, or the main labiaplasty page.

Frequently asked questions

When can I exercise after labiaplasty?

Light exercise such as walking from 2 weeks, and heavier exercise such as the gym or running from 4 weeks, built up gradually. Dr Hadi may adjust this for you.

When can I go back to the gym after labiaplasty?

Usually from 4 weeks. Start with lighter weights and shorter sessions, and leave wide-leg exercises until last.

When can I run after labiaplasty?

Running counts as heavier exercise, so it can usually start from 4 weeks. Begin with short, easy runs or walk-run intervals, wear soft cotton underwear, and ease back if swelling returns.

When can I ride a bike after labiaplasty?

Cycling, spin and horse riding put pressure directly on the stitch lines, so check with Dr Hadi before you start, even if you are already back at the gym. Generally its 6 weeks.

When can I swim after labiaplasty?

Only once your wound is fully closed. Dr Hadi will advise when you can swim or have a bath. You can shower from the day after surgery.

When can I have sex after labiaplasty?

From 6 weeks, so the stitches are not disrupted. Use plenty of water-based lubricant, go slowly and stop if it hurts.

Will sex feel different after labiaplasty?

For most women, labiaplasty does not change sexual function, and it is not done to improve it. Changes in sensation are a possible risk that Dr Hadi discusses with you before surgery.

When can I use a tampon after labiaplasty?

From 6 weeks. Use pads for any period before then. The same applies to menstrual cups.