Drivers and Dilemmas of Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery

Female genital cosmetic surgery includes many procedures undertaken at the request of the woman and is the fastest-growing area of cosmetic surgery, despite calls for avoidance or extreme caution from professional organizations responsible for women’s health. Low genital self-image is presumed to drive requests, but root causes have not been studied. The vast majority of these surgeries are not indicated medically, have unknown long-term effects, and are being performed in a private-pay environment in a context of significant ethical concerns regarding informed consent, autonomy and beneficence, and conflict of interest. This chapter explores normal physiologic development of female genitalia as it pertains to knowledge of what is “normal,” self-image and the drivers of genital self-image, concerns about specific procedures, and statements of professional organizations. Ethical tensions and dilemmas for clinicians highlight physicians’ ethical responsibility to provide accurate information about potential harms and benefits of these procedures.

Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery: Legitimate Refinement or Illegal Mutilation?

European Journal of Health Law ◽

10.1163/15718093-bja10046 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-19

Author(s):

Ruth Gaffney-Rhys

Keyword(s):

Public Interest ◽

Cosmetic Surgery ◽

Female Genital Mutilation ◽

Prima Facie ◽

Criminal Prosecution ◽

Genital Mutilation ◽

The Public ◽

Healthy Female ◽

Abstract The aim of this article is to assess whether Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery (FGCS), which refers to procedures which change the structure and appearance of healthy female genitalia for non-medical reasons, violates the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, in the light of CPS guidance issued in 2019 and literature regarding the motivations of women seeking FGCS and its effectiveness. The paper concludes that FGCS does, prima facie, constitute FGM and argues that the medical exception contained in the legislation should seldom be available – but based on CPS guidance, a criminal prosecution will rarely be in the public interest. The article ends by asserting that the distinction drawn in practice (if not in law) between the treatment of western and non-western women is problematic, not only because it is discriminatory, but because tolerating FGCS may serve to legitimise FGM and result in the circumvention of the FGM Act 2003.

Current trends in female genital cosmetic surgery

Apollo Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.apme.2012.06.010 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 219-223 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Naveen Rao ◽

Aparajita ◽

Neha Sharma

Keyword(s):

Cosmetic Surgery ◽

Current Trends ◽

Office Procedures in Cosmetic Gynaecology

Current Opinion in Gynecology and Obstetrics ◽

10.18314/cogo.v4i1.2115 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 446-454

Author(s):

Anagnostou N ◽

Gkrozou F ◽

Ioannidi L ◽

Papadimitriou A ◽

Tsonis O

Keyword(s):

Body Image ◽

Side Effects ◽

Cosmetic Surgery ◽

Ethical Issues ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Female Population ◽

And Function ◽

Office Procedures ◽

Female genital cosmetic surgery is a set of multiple procedures focused on improving genital appearance, structure, and function. Sexual dysfunction affects a large proportion of the female population and appears to be associated with distorted genital anatomy although what women perceive as normal varies vastly depending on cultural and social beliefs. Cosmetic gynaecology office procedures are simple, quick, and effective solutions to improve sexual function as well as body image with minimal interventions and minimal side-effects. In this narrative review, we present these widely used minimally invasive aesthetic gynaecology interventions, focusing on their efficacy, and reported complications. Recommendations regarding heath professionals’ approach and ethical issues arising are also discussed.