Did She or Didn't She? Perceptions of Operative Status of Female Genitalia.

BACKGROUND: While extensive research has explored why women undergo labiaplasty, little attention has been paid to societal and professional abilities to distinguish between altered and unaltered labia, impacting both patient concerns and broader societal perceptions. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the general public and healthcare professionals in identifying labiaplasty and to pinpoint the misconceptions driving their perceptions. The goal was to inform more effective patient counseling strategies and challenge existing stigmas around cosmetic genital surgery. METHODS: We conducted an online survey with 511 lay adults and a group of 21 gynecologists and aesthetic vulvar surgeons, assessing their ability to detect labiaplasty from images, focusing on aesthetic appearance, hair patterns, and size. The analysis involved Pearson correlation and Z-tests to compare perceptions against actual operative status. RESULTS: Our analysis revealed a pronounced difficulty among participants in accurately discerning labiaplasty, with neither group showing a significant ability to identify surgical alterations. Misinterpretations were notably influenced by expectations of aesthetic appearance, with 49% associating an "odd" or "fake" look with surgery, and hair and size misconceptions also misleading respondents. Additionally, 20% of participants mistakenly related surgical changes to gender affirming surgery or female genital mutilation. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights a gap in the ability of both the general public and medical professionals to accurately identify labiaplasty, pointing to a broad misunderstanding of cosmetic genital surgery's visual outcomes. Addressing these misconceptions through targeted education could substantially improve patient counseling and help dismantle the stigmas associated with labiaplasty.

Genital Self-Image and Esthetic Genital Surgery.

Genital self-image describes the perception of one's genital appearance as being "normal" or "abnormal," and a disharmonious image leads to an increasing number of women seeking esthetic genital surgery each year. The concept of what constitutes "normal" is strongly influenced by the media, cultural norms, and sexual relations. In reality, the extent of normalcy is highly variable and overall patient education regarding extremes of size and shape should be provided to all patients considering surgery. When performed with appropriate training, expertise, and attention to detail in a properly selected patient, esthetic genital surgery is associated with minimal complications or sequelae.

Labiaplasty: The Stigma Persists.

BACKGROUND: Heightening interest in labiaplasty has driven potential patients to online fora, permitting the dissemination of material by potentially unqualified or inexperienced individuals. The discourse surrounding this procedure has been injected with strong opinions that are not entirely consistent with medical best-practice or evidence-based knowledge. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore the rationale for ongoing public opposition to labiaplasty and to investigate if awareness of the similarities between labiaplasty and breast reduction can alter an individual's perception. METHODS: Four hundred and forty-eight adult women were surveyed concerning their opinion of a surgical procedure to reduce the size of an unspecified organ related to a woman's sexuality, breast reduction, and labia reduction. RESULTS: Reduction of an unspecified organ and breasts was met with significantly greater acceptance than labia reduction (P < 0.0001). Presenting responders with an educational tool comparing each procedure's indications, risks, and potential benefits did not alter respondent opinions, indicating notions about sexual surgery are relatively fixed. The most common reason respondents persisted in their relative opposition to labia reduction was a perceived deficiency in social acceptance (27.1%), followed by a perceived similarity to female genital mutilation (14.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Attitudes towards labiaplasty seem firmly based on emotion or correlation to other unacceptable practices. Informational resources do not sway these biases; thus, there is a limited role for surgeon-led education in the normalization of labiaplasty because it requires a societal shift in acceptance. Labiaplasty is a procedure whose time for popular acceptance has not yet come.

Incidence of Obstetric Lacerations and Episiotomy Following Labiaplasty.

BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of patients seeking labiaplasty are nulliparous and may experience later changes to their labia following vaginal delivery. OBJECTIVES: In the present study, the authors reported the long-term outcomes of a single surgeon's patient cohort who had vaginal delivery after labiaplasty. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of the senior author's database was conducted. All patients who underwent in-office labiaplasty from 2007 to 2018 were surveyed. The resulting cohort was stratified into patients who had delivered children prior to labiaplasty and those who delivered after labiaplasty. RESULTS: A total of 204 patients responded to a phone survey. Seventy patients had children prior to undergoing labiaplasty, and 33 had children after labiaplasty. The rate of vaginal delivery was lower in the women who had children before labiaplasty (82.6% vs 91.8%, P = 0.015). The tear/episiotomy rate for vaginal deliveries was lower in women who had children prior to labiaplasty compared with after labiaplasty (3.1% vs 17.8%, P < 0.001). Among the women who had children only after labiaplasty, the reported tear/episiotomy rate was 7/39 vaginal deliveries (17.9%). CONCLUSION: Patients in our cohort had over 90% success with vaginal deliveries after labiaplasty. For nulliparous patients contemplating the procedure, the data we present suggest the risk of episiotomy or vaginal tear risk with vaginal birth after labiaplasty is comparable with or lower than the general population, further supporting the safety of this procedure. For patients with previous delivery, the data are more limited but suggest no increased risk in this small cohort.

Anterior and Posterior Commissuroplasty: Taking Labiaplasty to the Next Level.

As the popularity of female cosmetic genital surgery has grown, so has the number of publications detailing surgical techniques, particularly regarding labiaplasty. As a nascent surgical field, much room remains for finesse and exploration of new techniques to optimize outcomes and patient satisfaction. We present the techniques for anterior and posterior commissuroplasty the senior author (O.J.P.) has developed. Anterior commissuroplasty is efficacious in addressing a number of anatomic variations to achieve the appearance of a single midline cleft, which is commonly requested by patients. Posterior commissuroplasty was developed to address skin excess at the posterior fourchette that may develop as a result of labiaplasty. Either technique may be used in combination with labiaplasty or as a stand-alone procedure. These tools may be a useful addition to the repertoire of a surgeon practicing female genital surgery.

Perception of Beauty in the Visually Blind: A Pilot Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Blind individuals have demonstrated the ability to detect danger and facial expressions without conscious awareness of visual stimuli. These embodied sensations are believed to be the result of primitive neural networks refined by evolutionary adaptations. We postulate that similar embodied sensations may have evolved to allow blind individuals to perceive beauty. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the visually blind can detect physical beauty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This observational study consisted of 8 blind and 10 nonblind test subjects and 6 models that were categorized into predetermined beauty categories. Test subjects were individually asked to rate 6 models on a 1 to 10 numerical beauty scale. This process was repeated in both groups while blindfolded (masked). All groups' mean model beauty scores underwent multivariate and univariate analysis. RESULTS: All groups rated preselected (greater than 8) more beautiful models, higher except for the masked, nonblind group. Intraclass correlation was good in the blind raters with a score of 0.751, whereas poor in the nonblind masked raters with a score of 0.458. CONCLUSION: This is the first pilot study demonstrating with supporting evidence that blind individuals can detect beauty and supports that beauty may rely on primal forms of messaging that are subconsciously appreciated.

Female Genital and Vaginal Plastic Surgery: An Overview.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After studying this article and viewing the video, the participant should be able to: 1. Accurately describe the relevant aesthetic anatomy and terminology for common female genital plastic surgery procedures. 2. Have knowledge of the different surgical options to address common aesthetic concerns and their risks, alternatives, and benefits. 3. List the potential risks, alternatives, and benefits of commonly performed female genital aesthetic interventions. 4. Be aware of the entity of female genital mutilation and differentiation from female genital cosmetic surgery. SUMMARY: This CME activity is intended to provide a brief 3500-word overview of female genital cosmetic surgery. The focus is primarily on elective vulvovaginal procedures, avoiding posttrauma reconstruction or gender-confirmation surgery. The goal is to present content with the best available and independent unbiased scientific research. Given this relatively new field, data with a high level of evidence are limited. Entities that may be commonly encountered in a plastic surgery practice are reviewed. The physician must be comfortable with the anatomy, terminology, diagnosis, and treatment options. Familiarity with requested interventions and aesthetic goals is encouraged.

Evaluation of Body Image and Sexual Satisfaction in Women Undergoing Female Genital Plastic/Cosmetic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Little prospective data exists regarding the procedures constituting female genital plastic/cosmetic surgery (FGPS). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the procedures of labiaplasty and vaginoperineoplasty improve genital self image, and evaluate effects on sexual satisfaction. METHODS: Prospective cohort case-controlled study of 120 subjects evaluated at baseline, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperative, paired with a demographically similar control group. Interventions include labiaplasty, clitoral hood reduction, and/or aesthetic vaginal tightening, defined as perineoplasty + "vaginoplasty" (aka "vaginal rejuvenation."). Outcome measures include body image, genital self-image, sexual satisfaction, and body esteem. RESULTS: As a group, study patients tested at baseline showing body dissatisfaction, negative genital self-image, and poorer indices of sexual satisfaction. Preoperative body image of study patients were in a range considered to be mild to moderately dysmorphic, but matched controls at one and two years; genital self-image scores at entry were considerably lower than controls, but by 2-year follow-up had surpassed control value at entry. Similarly, sexual satisfaction values, significantly lower at entry, equaled at one, and surpassed control values, at 2 years. Postoperatively, at all points in time, these differences in body image and genital self-image disappeared, and sexual satisfaction markedly improved. Overall body esteem did not differ between study and control groups, with the exception of the genital esteem quotient, which improved after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Women requesting and completing FGPS, when tested by validated instruments, at entry report sexual dissatisfaction and negative genital self-image. When tested at several points in time after surgery up to two years, these findings were no longer present. When performed by an experienced surgeon, FGPS appears to provide sexual and genital self-image improvement. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 Therapeutic.

A Prospective Evaluation of Female External Genitalia Sensitivity to Pressure following Labia Minora Reduction and Clitoral Hood Reduction.

BACKGROUND: Little research has been conducted into the effects of labiaplasty on sensitivity of external genitalia. This study aimed to determine the effect of labia minora and clitoral hood reduction using the edge resection technique on external genitalia sensitivity. METHODS: Female subjects electing to undergo labia minora and clitoral hood reduction were enrolled. Subjects underwent sensitivity testing using monofilaments at five locations (one at the clitoral hood and four labial with each labium measured 0.5 cm from the leading edge and 1.5 cm distal to the hymen) at baseline; 2 weeks; and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Self-evaluations using the Sexual Function Questionnaire were performed at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Thirty-seven subjects undergoing labia minora and clitoral hood reduction were enrolled. Subjects experienced a median increase in sensitivity at month 6 of 0.118 mN at the 0.5-cm right labial location (p = 0.027) and 0.059 mN at the 0.5-cm left labial location (p = 0.046) compared with baseline. No change in sensitivity was demonstrated at the clitoral hood or either of the 1.5-cm labial locations. At 6 months, an increase in the number of sexual relations was observed in 44.1 percent of subjects (p = 0.011), an improvement in orgasm frequency was exhibited by 35.3 percent of subjects (p = 0.013), and an increase in orgasm strength was observed in 35.3 percent of subjects (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Labia minora and clitoral hood reduction as performed by the trim/edge resection method does not result in diminished sensitivity. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Plastic surgery trends parallel Playboy magazine: the pudenda preoccupation.

BACKGROUND: Aesthetic vulvovaginal procedures are being performed with increased frequency. Many experts have suggested that the growing demand for these procedures relates to the availability and revealing nature of nude images on the Internet and in other media. OBJECTIVES: The authors examined chronologically organized nude photographs from a popular magazine and objectively measured the position of the vulva relative to the center of focus to observe trends for the past 6 decades. METHODS: Playboy magazine centerfold photographs from 1954 to 2013 were analyzed and categorized. The positions of the vaginal area (V-line) and the breast area (N-line) were measured in relation to the horizontal midline of the photograph. Images also were assessed for degree of grooming and exposure of the breast and pubic areas, as well as visibility of the pudendal cleft, labia majora, and labia minora. RESULTS: Four hundred ninety images met inclusion criteria for the analysis. Full exposure of the V-line increased from 0 instances in the 1950s to 78.6% of images from 2010 through 2013 (P<.001). Moreover, the V-line position became 41.0% closer to the photographic midline (P=.045). CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate a trend toward increased visibility and prominence of the female genitalia as the focal point of popular nude photographs.

A large multicenter outcome study of female genital plastic surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Female Genital Plastic Surgery, a relatively new entry in the field of Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, has promised sexual enhancement and functional and cosmetic improvement for women. Are the vulvovaginal aesthetic procedures of Labiaplasty, Vaginoplasty/Perineoplasty ("Vaginal Rejuvenation") and Clitoral Hood Reduction effective, and do they deliver on that promise? For what reason do women seek these procedures? What complications are evident, and what effects are noted regarding sexual function for women and their partners? Who should be performing these procedures, what training should they have, and what are the ethical considerations? AIM: This study was designed to produce objective, utilizable outcome data regarding FGPS. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 1) Reasons for considering surgery from both patient's and physician's perspective; 2) Pre-operative sexual functioning per procedure; 3) Overall patient satisfaction per procedure; 4) Effect of procedure on patient's sexual enjoyment, per procedure; 5) Patient's perception of effect on her partner's sexual enjoyment, per procedure; 6) Complications. METHODS: This cross-sectional study, including 258 women and encompassing 341 separate procedures, comes from a group of twelve gynecologists, gynecologic urologists and plastic surgeons from ten centers in eight states nationwide. 104 labiaplasties, 24 clitoral hood reductions, 49 combined labiaplasty/clitoral hood reductions, 47 vaginoplasties and/or perineoplasties, and 34 combined labiaplasty and/or reduction of the clitoral hood plus vaginoplasty/perineoplasty procedures were studied retrospectively, analyzing both patient's and physician's perception of surgical rationale, pre-operative sexual function and several outcome criteria. RESULTS: Combining the three groups, 91.6% of patients were satisfied with the results of their surgery after a 6-42 month follow-up. Significant subjective enhancement in sexual functioning for both women and their sexual partners was noted (p = 0.0078), especially in patients undergoing vaginal tightening/perineal support procedures. Complications were acceptable and not of major consequence. CONCLUSIONS: While emphasizing that these female genital plastic procedures are not performed to correct "abnormalities," as there is a wide range of normality in the external and internal female genitalia, both parous and nulliparous, many women chose to modify their vulvas and vaginas. From the results of this large study pooling data from a diverse group of experienced genital plastic surgeons, outcome in both general and sexual satisfaction appear excellent.