Female genital cosmetic surgery: a new dilemma for GPs

Liao, Lih‐Mei; Creighton, Sarah M.

doi:10.3399/bjgp11x548893

Cited by 20 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Labia minora reduction is the most common type of vulvar surgery [14]. As it is unlikely that labia minora size has increased in recent years, and no information has recently emerged that labia minora size is related to a particular condition, it may be assumed that this increase is due to an increasing dissatisfaction of women with the appearance of their labia minora, perhaps accompanied by a greater knowledge about the availability of labia surgery [15,16]. Indeed, most of the labia minora reductions are performed in women who are dissatisfied with the appearance of their genitals [16][17][18] or in women who believe that their vulva does not look "normal" [19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As it is unlikely that labia minora size has increased in recent years, and no information has recently emerged that labia minora size is related to a particular condition, it may be assumed that this increase is due to an increasing dissatisfaction of women with the appearance of their labia minora, perhaps accompanied by a greater knowledge about the availability of labia surgery [15,16]. Indeed, most of the labia minora reductions are performed in women who are dissatisfied with the appearance of their genitals [16][17][18] or in women who believe that their vulva does not look "normal" [19]. Research concerning effects of labia minora reductions is scant and weighted towards the description of surgical techniques and postoperative high satisfaction rates [20], but very little long term, controlled, or prospective data are available regarding safety or psychosexual consequences [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Young women’s genital self-image and effects of exposure to pictures of natural vulvas

Laan

Martoredjo

Hesselink

et al. 2016

Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Young women’s genital self-image and effects of exposure to pictures of natural vulvas

Laan

Martoredjo

Hesselink

et al. 2016

Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology

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show abstract

“… 15 16 The role of the general practitioner (GP) regarding this emerging area of surgery has been identified as a ‘new dilemma for the general practitioner (GP)’. 9 10 17 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…19 As the first point of contact with the healthcare system, informed GPs can play an important and central role in educating women and girls regarding the varied range of genital appearance and the risks of genital surgery. 17 They can also help to address modifiable psychosocial factors, thereby assisting women towards better health outcomes. 7 17 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Female genital cosmetic surgery: a cross-sectional survey exploring knowledge, attitude and practice of general practitioners

2016

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ObjectiveTo explore general practitioner's (GP) knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS) in Australia.DesignCross-sectional survey.SettingAustralia.SampleGPs who attended a women's health seminar and GPs who subscribed to a non-governmental, national health professional organisation database that provides education to primary care professionals.MethodA national online survey of GPs was conducted for the 10-week period, starting 1 week prior and 2 months after a Women's Health seminar was held in Perth on 8 August 2015. 31 questions prompted GPs' knowledge, attitudes and practice in managing patients asking about FGCS.ResultsThe survey was fully completed by 443 GPs; 54% had seen patients requesting FGCS. Overall, 75% (95% CI 71% to 79%) of GPs rated their knowledge of FGCS as inadequate and 97% (95% CI 94% to 99%) had been asked by women of all ages about genital normality. Of those who had seen patients requesting FGCS, nearly half (44%, 95% CI 38% to 51%) reported they had insufficient knowledge of risks of FGCS procedures and 35% (95% CI 29% to 41%) reported seeing females younger than 18 years of age requesting FGCS. Just over half (56%, 95% CI 51% to 60%) of the GPs felt that women should be counselled before making a referral for FGCS. More than half the GPs suspected psychological disturbances in their patients requesting FGCS such as depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties and body dysmorphic disorder.ConclusionsGPs see women of all ages presenting with genital anatomy concerns and in those who request FGCS, GPs often suspected a range of mental health difficulties. GPs require greater education to support their patients who request FGCS.

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Making the Cut: Mass Media and the Growing Desire for Genital Cosmetic Surgery by Young Women and Girls

et al. 2021

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Women and girls have long been confronted with unrealistic, unattainable body image norms. Additionally, the 'ideal feminine' body has been subject to constant change over the last centuries and decades. With the proliferation of the internet, women and girls are continuously exposed to advice from heteronormative discourses of womanhood. Demand for cosmetic surgery has dramatically increased and is still expanding. Recently, women's and girls' awareness has shifted towards how they should 'improve' the aesthetic appeal of their labia, 'optimise' their vaginas, and generally make their vulva 'healthier', leading to a growing popularity of female genital cosmetic surgery. Proponents of surgical interventions (falsely) claim them as agentic methods of self-expression and promise 'improvement' beyond the individual's control. The marketing of these procedures is predicated on shame and has been described as aggressive. Our postmodern era brings new visions of desired body image, and a rise of internet-based digital connections between people. This means new body image 'norms' are instantly circulated and changed, and body image is continuously scrutinised and shamed. Coupled with increased accessibility of internet-based nudity and pornographic material, and prevailing associations of shame and taboo about female genitalia, consequences particularly for young women's perceptions of body image are drastic. This chapter discusses the internet's role in the recent desire by young women and girls to seek genital cosmetic surgery.

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Female genital cosmetic surgery: a new dilemma for GPs

Cited by 20 publications

References 9 publications

Young women’s genital self-image and effects of exposure to pictures of natural vulvas

Young women’s genital self-image and effects of exposure to pictures of natural vulvas

Female genital cosmetic surgery: a cross-sectional survey exploring knowledge, attitude and practice of general practitioners

Making the Cut: Mass Media and the Growing Desire for Genital Cosmetic Surgery by Young Women and Girls

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