Effects of Abdominoplasty on Female Sexuality: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Introduction Changes in the pubic region resulting from abdominoplasty may have a psychosexual impact. Thus, it is important to study the influence of physical changes on the sexuality of patients after abdominoplasty. Aim To evaluate the effects of the elevation of the mons pubis and consequent exposure of the clitoris in the vulvar commissure on the sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction of women who underwent abdominoplasty. Methods Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation. Nineteen women with a mean age of 35 ± 7 years, mean body mass index of 23 ± 2 kg/m2 and who expressed a desire to undergo abdominoplasty were selected from consecutive patients attending the abdominal plastic surgery outpatient unit of a university hospital. Main Outcome Measures Physical change (measured by the distance between the xiphoid process and vulvar commissure [xipho-vc]), sexual functioning, and sexual satisfaction (assessed with the Sexuality Assessment Scale), and body image (measured using the Body Shape Questionnaire [BSQ]) were evaluated preoperatively and 6 months after abdominoplasty. Results There was a significant reduction (P = 0.0004; z = −3.53) in the xipho-vc distance 6 months after abdominoplasty compared with baseline (mean difference 3.63 ± 2.79 cm), corresponding to an elevation of the mons pubis and consequent exposure of the clitoris. All patients reported a significant improvement in sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction 6 months after abdominoplasty when compared with baseline (P = 0.0001; z = −3.83). BSQ scores indicated an improvement in the patients’ concerns about body shape (P = 0.0003; z = −3.58). Conclusion Our results suggest that physical change and the new position of the clitoris may have a positive impact on sexuality.

Abdominoplasty Improves Quality of Life, Psychological Distress, and Eating Disorder Symptoms: A Prospective Study

“…The women were also significantly less depressive. Similar effects have been noted in previous studies [ 1 – 4 ]. However, as far as we know, our findings that less eating disorder symptoms are noted after abdominoplasty have not been presented before.…”

“…In addition, the dimension sex improved significantly. The latter has also been noted by others [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]. This is a natural consequence of abdominoplasty as the abdominal area plays an important role in psychosexual functioning.…”

“…Only few studies provide some sufficient data regarding the effects of nonpostbariatric (aesthetic) abdominoplasty on various aspects of quality of life [ 1 – 4 ]. In these studies, an improvement in body image, self-esteem, mental health, sexual relations, functioning and satisfaction, and quality of life has been observed.…”

Childhood Sexual Abuse Moderates the Relationship Between Sexual Functioning and Eating Disorder Psychopathology in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa: A 1-Year Follow-Up Study

“…Furthermore, sexual functioning in patients with eating disorders has been associated with concerns about body image (e.g., dissatisfaction with body parts, concerns with body size or weight, discomfort with one's body in front of a partner, or others), a variable that reflects cognitive distortions typical of eating disorders . In particular, women who felt more negatively about their bodies reported lower levels of desire and sexual arousal functioning (e.g., ), engaged in more sexual avoidance (e.g., ), and reported less pleasure, orgasm, and sexual satisfaction (e.g., ), as compared with women who had a more positive perception of their bodies.…”

Female Sexual Functioning, Self-genital Image and Sexual Anxiety: Mediating Role of Awareness the Moment

“…For example, worrying about physical appearance leads to decreasing the self-esteem, desire, and pleasure (Wiederman, 2000). Sexual problems caused by body image are not classified as sexual disorders, but these concerns may prevent female from engaging in sexual pleasure (Stuerz, Piza, Niermann, & Kinzl, 2008), that can have a negative effect on sexual satisfaction and function (de Brito et al, 2012).…”