I have seen a recent influx in news stories about dermatological and surgical procedures performed on women’s genitals. Many of these procedures have been available for a couple of decades, but have been steadily growing in popularity year after year. The procedures are targeted towards women who are unhappy with the shape, color, size, and general appearance of their genitals. Options include vaginal or anal bleaching, to lighten and even the color of the skin; vaginal creams, to tighten the skin inside of the vagina; labioplasty, to remove or change the shape of the inner or outer labia; vaginoplasty, to tighten up the vaginal canal; and hymenorrhapy, to create a new hymen. While some of these procedures may seem extreme, the reality is that more and more women are getting them done. The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons that approximately 5,000 labioplasty surgeries alone were performed in the last year.

There are legitimate reasons for getting these surgeries, such as wanting to repair an injury suffered during childbirth, or correcting a birth defect. I also believe in a woman’s (and a man’s, for that matter) right to do whatever she wants to her own body. That being said, I’m saddened that so many of these procedures perpetuate the belief that there is a certain way that women’s genitals are “supposed” to look. These procedures aim to create vulvas that look exactly the same – white skin, small inner and outer labia, a petite clitoris, and a smooth and even appearance. One popular plastic surgeon even calls his procedure “The Barbie”, because his goal is to create a completely smooth, “plastic-like” vulva. Women already get so many messages about how their breasts, waists, butts, thighs, arms, ankles, shoulders, collarbones, faces, skin, and so on are “supposed” to look. Do we really need to include genitals in this list too? I’m also concerned that women are removing entire portions of their anatomies. Vaginoplasties and labioplasties aren’t standardized surgeries, and even certain professional plastic surgery organizations have spoken to the dangers of these types of surgery. In additional to the medical dangers, there are also sexual consequences. All of the skin on the vulva is rich with nerve endings, and is exquisitely sensitive to touch. Operating on or removing these tissues deprives women of pleasure and sensation. Even the less involved procedures, like bleaching, can cause irritation, infection, and pain.

Have you ever considered getting work done on your genitals? Do you feel self-conscious about the way your genitals look? Call (415) 658-5738 or visit my Appointments page to schedule a consultation.