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By Dr. Courtenay Poucher, MD, FACOG, certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the National Society of Cosmetic Physicians

Thank you for reaching out, and please don’t feel embarrassed! I promise that you’re not the first person to find themselves in an unexpected situation after experimenting with hormonal therapies. I’m glad you’re asking questions now so you can move forward with good information.

To answer your first question: Clitoral enlargement from androgen exposure, including DHT gel, is generally considered permanent once it has occurred. The tissue that responds to androgens, which is the erectile tissue of the clitoris, undergoes structural changes that do not reliably reverse after the androgen source is discontinued. So, while I can’t assess your specific anatomy without an personalized consultation, I would not count on significant spontaneous reduction over time.

As for surgical options, yes – clitoroplasty, which is clitoral reduction surgery, does exist and can reduce the size of an enlarged clitoris while preserving the nerve bundles responsible for sensation and orgasm.

That being said, I need to be extraordinarily clear here: This is an incredibly-delicate, highly-specialized procedure. The most important thing I can tell you is that if you pursue it, you want a surgeon who has proven experience in clitoral anatomy and nerve-sparing techniques. Sensitivity preservation is absolutely the priority, because a reduction in size should never come at the cost of function, comfort or confidence.

Your original concern – vaginal laxity – can also be addressed surgically. Vaginoplasty is a highly-effective, minimally-invasive surgical option for restoring internal tone and improving sensation during intercourse and it may be worth revisiting now that you’re exploring your options more fully.

You deserve compassionate, non-judgmental care. I encourage you to speak with a specialist in female genital anatomy who can evaluate your anatomy in person.

Do you have a question about non-surgical vaginal rejuvenation, labiaplasty or other intimate surgeries you’d like answered by Los Angeles labiaplasty specialist Dr. Courtenay Poucher? Use our contact form to connect with us. We will answer as many questions via our blog as time allows.