Body modification or mutilation?
Lance
Research published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and
Gynaecology also questions the very notion of aesthetically pleasing
genitals.
Operations to improve the appearance of the sex organs for both
psychological and physical reasons are on the rise.
But surgeons said the report overplayed the risks of an established
procedure.
Researchers from University College London reviewed all the existing
studies on cosmetic labial surgery - which generally involves reducing
the amount of tissue that protrudes from the lips which cover the
vagina. They found there had been little work to document any longer-
term side effects.
Labioplasty, as it is known, costs about £3,000 privately and is
offered for a variety of reasons: some women complain that wearing
tight clothes or riding a bike is uncomfortable, while others say they
are embarrassed in front of a sexual partner.
But consultant gynaecologist Sarah Creighton and psychologist Lih-Mei
Liao challenged the ethics of offering women surgery to address such
insecurities, suggesting it was adverts for a "homogenised, pre-
pubescent genital appearance" which created these anxieties in the
first place.
They also suggested that any pain apparently caused by protrusion may
well have a psychological root - noting that male genitalia protrude
far further without causing major discomfort.
Counselling and support could therefore be a preferable alternative to
surgery, they argue.
Female circumcision
The number of women undergoing labioplasty nationwide is unknown as
the majority of the operations are performed privately, but last year
procedures on the NHS increased by 70% on the previous year to 1,118.
In studies dating back to 1950, examined by the researchers,
dissatisfaction with the way the vagina looked was the primary reason
for surgery, with patients also speaking of low self-esteem and sexual
difficulties.
But rather than curing sexual problems, Dr Creighton suggested surgery
might exacerbate them by damaging the nerve supply to the area,
impairing sexual sensitivity and satisfaction.
She also suggests that women who undergo this procedure might
experience similar problems in childbirth as those who have
experienced female genital mutilation, in which parts of the vagina
are ritualistically removed.
It is now well documented that women who have undergone such
circumcision are more likely to experience significant tearing and
bleeding after labour and even the death of their babies, problems
which are overcome by Caesarean delivery.
"Labial surgery needs to be rigorously evaluated in future, and for
longer term," said Dr Creighton.
"Furthermore, quality research is needed to improve our understanding
of the psychological drivers behind women's decision to sacrifice
sexually sensitive tissue that contributes to erotic experiences, for
a certain genital appearance that used to be an obligation only for
some glamour models."
'Terrorising' patients
Douglas McGeorge, past president of the the British Association of
Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, rejected the comparison with female
circumcision, arguing it was a relatively minor operation with few
possible complications.
"They've gone a bit over the top. Essentially this is just about
removing a bit of loose flesh, leaving behind an elegant-looking labia
with minimum scarring. The procedure won't interfere with sexual
function.
"Women want this for a number of reasons - some find it uncomfortable
to ride a bike for instance, but for the majority it is aesthetic,
that's true.
"Lads' mags are looked at by girlfriends, and make them think more
about the way they look. We live in times where we are much more open
about our bodies - and changing them - and labioplasty is simply a
part of this."
Angelica Kavouni, a cosmetic surgeon who carries out labioplasty, said
it was wrong to "terrorise patients" with suggestions of long-term
consequences.
"This is a procedure which we have been doing since the 1970s. Any
operation performed poorly carries risks, but when it's done properly
there are very few issues at all.
"I have seen women who I have sent away because I don't think they
have a problem, but for women with serious hypertrophy - when the
tissue is dark and hangs down - there is a simple way to deal with it.
The feedback I receive is very positive indeed."
BJOG editor Professor Philip Steer said the study "underlines the need
for multidisciplinary research to investigate the range of factors
that affect women's sexual function and wellbeing.
"Reliable information on the risks and benefits of labial surgery, as
well as alternative approaches, is vital to ensuring informed choice
for women."
Source: BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8352711.stm
Peter Brooks
>
>
> "This is a procedure which we have been doing since the 1970s. Any
> operation performed poorly carries risks, but when it's done properly
> there are very few issues at all.
>
peculiar that anybody should want such surgery and I do agree that
people wanting body mutilations probably should have some psychiatric
help first. Having said that, if there is genuine consent, then, if
adults want their feet or fingers amputated, or anything in between,
it's their choice really.
Dave Smith
And the choice of surgeons who might refuse to amputate healthy body
parts?
Dave Smith
comp6_gamehall_ Averdein decaplex
>But consultant gynaecologist Sarah Creighton and
> psychologist Lih-Mei Liao challenged the ethics of
> offering women surgery to address such
> insecurities, suggesting it was adverts for a
> "homogenised, pre- pubescent genital appearance"
> which created these anxieties in the first place.
First it was that boring baldness which has plagued the Western world
for at least the last 15 years (it can't even be excused as an anti-Bush
protest, since it predated his term). Now they're predictably
genuflecting once again to this strange generation of males who want
grown women to look like little girls between the legs.
I miss the old fire-and-brimstone snorting feminists, not these
weak-kneed, popculture market revisions of them who would (in the name
of postmodern relativism) throw themselves across mud puddles for men of
whatever regional traditions to walk over.
;-)
Peter Brooks
healthy body parts have to spend ages finding somebody to do it for
them, some give up and do it themselves, which is, of course, highly
dangerous. If a doctor refuses to do it and causes somebody's death
when they have a diy amuptation, isn't that doctor culpable?
Mark....@bristol.ac.uk
: Labioplasty, as it is known, costs about �3,000 privately and is
: offered for a variety of reasons: some women complain that wearing
: tight clothes or riding a bike is uncomfortable,
[snip]
: They also suggested that any pain apparently caused by protrusion may
: well have a psychological root - noting that male genitalia protrude
: far further without causing major discomfort.
: Counselling and support could therefore be a preferable alternative to
: surgery, they argue.
As always, when women say they want something for some reason, the
response of "they" is to say that women are deluded, mistaken, oppressed
and that they need support and counselling...rather than to be listened
to and accepted at face value.
If there are people out there who cant see the rather obvius differences
between a penis and a labia, then I suggest that some perverse ideology
has blinded them. I suggest that "they" should piss off and mind their own
business if they have nothing more helpful to add.
Mark
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