SiA Magazine - Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery Vs. Female Circumcion | Page 6

longer than the other ” and want to even the two parts out by trimming one .
West writes that demand for labiaplasty is linked to the popularity of a particularly tight-fitting item of apparel : “ As yoga pants become a staple of female attire in the United States ” many women want “ to ensure they have a ‘ sleek ’ appearance when wearing the tight pants .” Of course , swimsuits and other garments are also tight in the crotch area and women who regularly wear such clothing contribute to the demand for these surgical procedures . The website of Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr . Jimmy S . Firouz , M . D ., states that many observers believe the upsurge in labiaplasties is partly due to the “ fashion trend of leggings and tight athletic wear .”
Another factor leading to the upsurge in demand for labiaplasty is the increase in removing hair from the genital area through procedures such as Brazilian waxes and laser treatments . Women who remove pubic hair start noticing things about their pubic areas that they might have previously ignored .
The proliferation of pornography is another reason for the increase in demand for such surgeries , as many women want the clean , tight genital ideal commonly seen in such material . However , pictures of genitalia in porn are often airbrushed and unrealistic .
Finally , many women state that the labia minora can cause discomfort when engaging in sports such as bicycle riding or in sexual activity . The SOCG policy paper gives “ sexual satisfaction ” as a major motivation for women seeking labiaplasty and other cosmetic genital surgeries . Thus , they seek the greater comfort that may result from having the area trimmed or even removed altogether .
Sometimes the same concerns motivating a labiaplasty also lead a patient to request clitoroplexy . Retired plastic surgeon Dr . Charles Gruenwald is quoted in RealSelf as stating that he sometimes heard “ patient questions about whether a clitoroplexy would also be necessary to give a satisfactory result following a labiaplasty .” Plastic surgeon Dr . Gary J . Alter remarks on a website devoted to his services , “ Some women are bothered by the size of the clitoral hood and the clitoris shaft or head ( glans ). The hood may protrude too much causing the woman to be selfconscious or irritated .” He also comments that some women fear the clitoris itself and / or the hood protrude in clothing , causing annoyance and embarrassment .
An abstract by Atilla Senayli , M . D ., suggests “ clitoroplasty is essential for patients with ambiguous genitalia ” and notes , “ Worldwide , one in 2,000 infants is diagnosed with genital ambiguity each year .” The doctor ’ s abstract also comments that those who suffer from clitoromegaly also benefit from clitoroplasty .
Female genital cosmetic surgeries of varying types are by no means limited to adult women . The SOCG policy statement observes , “ Girls and adolescents have different presenting complaints leading to consultation for labiaplasty . Girls 9 to 13 years old request consideration of surgery for relief of symptoms such as rubbing , chaffing , and interference with sports .” The statement continues that a mother ’ s belief that the daughter ’ s genitals are abnormal also leads to consultations for such surgeries with girls in this age group . It elaborates , “ Adolescents of 14 to 17 years of age are primarily concerned with their own appearance and have further concerns that their sexual partner may find them abnormal and unattractive .” The statement also reports that Canadian courts have ruled that minors deemed “ mature ” may get cosmetic surgeries – even without parental consent .
Writing for The New York Times , Roni Caryn Rabin reports , “ Gynecologists who care for teenage girls say they receive requests every week from patients who want surgery to trim their labia minora , mostly for cosmetic reasons , but occasionally for functional reasons , such as to relieve discomfort .” The Committee on Adolescent Health Care of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has issued guidelines that advise doctors getting such requests suggest alternatives to labiaplasty that can relieve discomfort and advise them to screen teen girls for psychiatric problems that can cause undo obsession about appearance . However , as Rabin elaborates , “ The guideline does not rule out ” labiaplasties for teens although it counsels that it is usually inappropriate for minors . Dr . Julie Strickland , Chair of the Committee on Adolescent Heath Care , believes such surgeries “ should not be entertained until growth and development is complete .” Nevertheless , Rabin reports , “ Girls 18 and younger account for less that 2 percent of all cosmetic operations but almost 5 percent of all labiaplasties .” What ’ s more , teenagers can benefit from such surgeries . Dr . Veronica Gomez-Lobo , North American Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology President , relates that she knows of a teen girl who could not attend school when she had her menstrual periods because her labia became painfully swollen and another teen girl who quit basketball due to painfully irritated labia . Girls with such problems can find relief through labiaplasty .
Medical professionals warn that all surgeries include risks . Dr . Banwell states , “ There is a small complication rate and a surgeon should explain
that .” Beasley quotes psychologist Harriet Lerner as saying that “ insensitivity of the clitoris ” is a potential hazard of some female genital cosmetic surgeries . Moreover , it is also possible with any cosmetic surgery that the results simply will not meet the patient ’ s expectations .
However , many patients do in fact express satisfaction with the results of their female genital cosmetic surgeries .
The website of Dr . Firouz notes that “ recontoured and reshaped labia ” often give the patient ’ s “ self-confidence a boost .” Another benefit of such surgery is that “ tight clothing , such as yoga and workout pants , swimwear or panties , fit better and more comfortably .” Holloway writes , “ The reality is , for some women , labiaplasty has made all the difference between a life of chronic anxiety and doubt and one of pleasure and confidence .” Dr . Walden states that labiaplasty “ can prove life-changing for so many patients .” In an article for Reuters , Denna Beasley recounts the case of a woman who had asymmetrical labia minora and is happy with the results of her labiaplasty , saying , “ It makes me more comfortable . I like the way that it looks .” Dr . Paul Banwell says , “ With labiaplasty people realize that they can change something they may have been worried about for a long time . It ’ s empowering women with the ability to have choice .”
Any surgery should be approached with caution . Cosmetic surgery in particular runs the risk of disappointing the individual who gets . However , greater physical comfort and an improved sense of emotional comfort with this most intimate of areas are among the possible positive results of female genital cosmetic surgeries .
Denise Noe is a severely disabled yet tenacious writer living in the United States . She has been published in “ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ,” “ The Humanist ,” crimemagazine . com , “ The Literary Hatchet ,” and other venues .
WARNING !!! The next few pages contain graphic images
6 SiA And The Shabaka Stone Winter Special Edition 2017