Body Image, Sexual Function, and Sexual Satisfaction Among Couples Before and After Gynecologic Cosmetic Surgery

Objective: This study aimed to compare women’s body image, sexual function and satisfaction before and after gynecologic cosmetic surgery. The study also aimed to assess women husband’s sexual satisfaction. Materials and methods: This was a pretest-posttest study. A sample of 50 women attending the pelvic floor clinic of Tehran University of Medical Sciences for gynecologic cosmetic surgery was entered into the study. Surgeries included labiaplasty, clitoral hoodectomy, vaginoplasty, vaginal rejuvenation, anterior and posterior colporrhaphy, perineoplasty, and perineorrhaphy. Women were assessed for the Body Image Quality of Life Inventory (BIQLI), the Larson Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (LSSQ-F), and Female Sexual Function Inventory (FSFI-6) at two points in time: baseline (one week before surgery) and 3 months after surgery. Similarly, the male partners were assed for sexual satisfaction using the Larson Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (LSSQ-M). To analyze the data paired samples t-test was applied. Results: The mean (SD) age of women was 43.36 (8.6) years and the mean (SD) duration of marriage was 22.18 (9.7) years. Ninety-four percent had history of vaginal delivery and 58.7 percent attend surgery due to husband’s sexual dissatisfaction. The results showed that women’s body image, sexual function and couples’ sexual satisfaction improved significantly after gynecologic cosmetic surgery (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: The findings suggest that female genital cosmetic surgery improved the body image and sexual function of women and sexual satisfaction in couples that might lead to a more pleasurable and healthier marital relationship.

The relationship between postmenopausal women’s body image and the severity of menopausal symptoms

Background Body image is the main element of an individual’s personality that may be influenced by many factors during menopause. We aimed to assess the relationship between postmenopausal women’s body image with the severity of menopausal symptoms. Methods This was a cross-sectional study on 300 postmenopausal women, aged 45 to 65 years old, in Tehran, Iran. We recruited the samples using the multi-stage sampling method. Tools for data collection were: 1) the Menopausal Rating Scale (MRS), 2) the Fisher’s Body Image questionnaire and 3) a socio-demographic questionnaire. We analyzed data using the independent samples t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient, Spearman’s correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression tests. Results Three hundred women aged 55.11 ± 3.99 years old, participated in the study. Mean scores for body image and MRS were 163.07 ± 21.17 (Range: 46–230) and 16.45 ± 8.38 (Range: 0–44), respectively. About 50% of women had severe symptoms of menopause (MRS score ≥ 17). There was a negative correlation between the total score and the score of all dimensions of body image with the total score and all dimensions of MRS (P < 0.001). There were also significant relationships between women’s body image with: their education (P < 0.001, r = 0.20) the spouse’s education (P < 0.001, r = 0.26), adequacy of monthly household income (P < 0.001, r = 0.32), marital status (P = 0.36), their occupation (P = 0.007) and housing status (P = 0.012). There was also a significant negative correlation between women’s lower body organs image with the number of children (P = 0.017, r = − 0.14). According to the multiple linear regressions model, severity of menopausal symptoms (Beta = − 0.45, P < 0.001) and adequacy of monthly household income (Beta = 0.15, P = 0.005) are the significant related factors with postmenopausal women’s body image. Conclusions Body image is correlated with menopausal symptoms of women during menopause. Therefore, it seems that interventions aimed at relieving the annoying symptoms of menopause can help to improve their body image. Also, body image could be influenced by some socio-demographic factors which should be considered in menopause health promotion programs.

Self-Objectification and Sexual Satisfaction: A Preregistered Test of the Replicability and Robustness of Calogero & Thompson (2009) in a Sample of U.S. Women

Objectification theory has provided a useful framework for the study of women’s sexual outcomes. However, little research has been conducted on the role of self-objectification in predicting sexual satisfaction. We conducted a replication of Calogero and Thompson (2009a), which reported a direct relationship between self-surveillance and sexual satisfaction, and expanded upon their work. We tested four path analysis models: Calogero and Thompson’s reported and hypothesized models, and two previously untested models, all containing our variables of interest (media internalization, self-surveillance, body shame, sexual self-esteem, and sexual satisfaction). Each model was tested with the full sample (N = 349) and a restricted sample (N = 127) that met Calogero and Thompson’s relationship status and sexual frequency inclusion criteria, and with and without BMI covaried. Both samples consisted of U.S. college women recruited in Fall 2019, with a mean age of M = 19.68 in the restricted sample. Results showed good fit for all tested models but failed to replicate the direct pathway between self-surveillance and sexual satisfaction. Instead, our models supported an indirect effect of self-surveillance on sexual satisfaction through body shame and sexual self-esteem. Findings support the role of sociocultural channels in influencing college women’s body image and sexual experiences.

Sociocultural attitudes as a moderator of the relations between negative eating and weight messages from family members and Latinas' body image shame

Research shows that family members are important for young women's body image. Using the sociocultural model, I explored associations between negative eating and weight messages from fathers, mothers, and sisters and Latinas' internalized and externalized body image shame and the moderating role of Latinas' sociocultural attitudes (i.e., internalization of US Western beauty standards) on those associations. I conducted hierarchical linear regression analyses and found positive associations between negative eating and weight messages from fathers and mothers and Latinas' internalized body image shame. Additionally, I found positive associations between negative eating and weight messages from fathers, mothers, and sisters and Latinas' externalized body image shame. Lastly, Latinas' sociocultural attitudes was positively associated with both internalized and externalized body image shame, but was not a significant moderator. My findings reveal that family members' negative comments are harmful for Latinas' body image. Further, my findings have important clinical implications for practitioners working with Latinx families.

Women's Body Image Distress Associated with Cervical Cancer

Background: Cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment can bring changes related to а woman's body image; which in turn can have a devastating on intimate relationships. Aim: The present study aimed to assess women's body image distress associated with cervical cancer. Methods; Design: A descriptive design was conducted. Setting: out-patient clinic in the oncology unit at Beni-Suef University hospital. Subjects: A purposive sample of 70 women. Tools: Data was collected through a structured interviewing questionnaire sheet, and body image scale. Results: The results of the study indicate that the majority (90%) of the studied women had body image distress. There is a statistically significant relationship between age and marriage age of women and their total body image scores. Conclusion: There is a statistical association between body image statuses amongst those women who were undergoing cervical cancer treatment concerning their socio-demographic characteristics. Recommendations: Implement an educational program to improve the self-body image for women with cervical cancer