A doctor has issued a concerning warning about a rising trend in a surgical procedure known as labiaplasty, or the 'Barbie vagina'.

According to the NHS website, labiaplasty is a surgery aimed at reducing the size of the labia minora, the folds of skin on either side of the vaginal opening.

More women are choosing to undergo this procedure because they are dissatisfied with the appearance of their labia. As reported by Uncloseted Media, there has been an astonishing 250% increase in the number of people opting for this surgery over the past decade.

While labiaplasty can be performed on the NHS under specific conditions, such as correcting abnormal labial shapes or repairing tears from childbirth and removing cancerous tissues, a growing number of women are opting for private surgeries to boost their sexual confidence and alleviate insecurities.

However, an investigation by Uncloseted has revealed that teens as young as 14 are searching for 'genital surgery' online, with 1 in 4 young people feeling self-conscious about their labia.

The labiaplasty is on the rise, with a 250% increase in the past decade (Getty Stock Image)

The term 'Barbie vagina' was coined by Dr. Red Alinsod in 2005 after he noticed an increase in patients desiring their vulva to resemble a Barbie doll's crotch - smooth, flat, devoid of hair, and with no labia visible, leaving only a slit.

It's important to note that labias naturally come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and this diversity is perfectly normal. However, a lack of representation in the media and insufficient education on the subject have reportedly contributed to this troubling trend.

Dr. Ronald Blatt, a labiaplasty surgeon at the Manhattan Center for Gynecology, shared his insights in the article, emphasizing an important consideration regarding this procedure.

He stated: "Sometimes, people come to me after having the procedure elsewhere and ask, ‘Doc, can you fix it?’”

He further explained: "But the trim method removes everything. There’s nothing left to fix.”

Dr. Blatt also mentioned that 'about 80%' of his patients undergo the surgery for cosmetic reasons.

In addition to the irreversible nature of the results, labiaplasty surgeries can also cause permanent damage to the nerve endings in the vulva.

One doctor has shared a big risk that comes with the procedure (Getty Stock Image)

Sex educator Elizabeth Wood informed the publication that some individuals may experience reduced sexual pleasure post-surgery because surgeons might not preserve the nerves.

She noted: “Many vulva owners report numbness, loss of sensation, and an inability to climax."

Psychologist and sexologist, Laura Lee, told Body and Soul that many women grapple with unrealistic standards concerning the appearance of their vulva.

She explained to the publication: “Many women learn early on that their genitalia are something to hide, often described as dirty, unattractive, or shameful. They are rarely taught that vulvas are normal, healthy, and diverse.

She added: "Vulvas are increasingly depicted as small, symmetrical, and hairless, creating an unrealistic standard and erasing the natural variation that is actually very common."

Moreover, a WHV report unfortunately found that nearly half of the women considering a labiaplasty stated that porn or social media influenced their decision.