BMJ  2007;334:1090-1092 (26 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.39206.422269.BE

Analysis

Requests for cosmetic genitoplasty: how should healthcare providers respond?

Middlesex Centre, UCL Institute for Women's Health, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and Obstetric Hospital, London WC1E 6DH

Demand for cosmetic genitoplasty is increasing. Lih Mei Liao and Sarah M Creighton argue that surgery carries risks and that alternative solutions to women's concerns about the appearance of their genitals should be developed

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Women's concerns about their appearance, fuelled by commercial pressure for surgical fixes, now include the genitalia. A share of this consumer demand is being absorbed by National Health Service specialists. This article was prompted by the increased numbers of women asking for labial reduction and the concerns of clinicians about the rising number of referrals for cosmetic genital surgery.

A new complaint

More and more women are said to be troubled by the shape, size, or proportions of their vulvas, so that elective genitoplasty is apparently a "booming business."¹ Advertisements for cosmetic genitoplasty are common, often including before and after images and life changing narratives.² Google produced around 490 000 results when we entered "labial reduction". Forty seven of the first 50 results were advertisements from clinics in the United Kingdom and United States offering cosmetic genital surgery. Television programmes and articles in women's magazines on "designer vaginas" may also fuel desire for . . . [Full text of this article]

A non-evidence based practice

Transcript extracts: a real dilemma

A gendered desire

A vicious cycle

A questions for the NHS

Summary points

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This article has been cited by other articles:

• Boraei, S, Clark, C, Frith, L (2008). Labioplasty in girls under 18 years of age: an unethical procedure?. Clin Ethics 3: 37-41 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Berer, M. (2007). It's female genital mutilation and should be prosecuted. BMJ 334: 1335-1335 [Full text]  
• Doyle, J. (2007). Surgical solution is becoming acceptable, as for birth. BMJ 334: 1179-1180 [Full text]  

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