Labia Minora Elongation and its Implications on the Health of Women: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Labia minora elongation (LME) is a female genital modification practice categorized among the types included in the fourth group of female genital mutilation. In this article, we display the results of a systematic review of the evidence-based knowledge published on the health risks and benefits of LME as informed by African female respondents who are insiders of the practice. No other systematic review on this specific topic has been published before. Methods: A methodological bibliographic search was done in scientific databases by manual referencing and by contacting experts on this area of knowledge. Seventeen articles were eligible for this review, which corresponded to nine different studies. Eight of these studies were conducted in Eastern and Southern African countries and one was carried out in Italy. Results: This review concludes that pain at the beginning of the practice, nuisances related to the use of caustic herbs, and stigmatization in failing to comply with the practice are the principal health risks associated with LME. At the same time, there is evidence that labial elongation may benefit the sexual health and well-being of women. Conclusions: More research of a quantitative nature is necessary to determine the prevalence of LME across the practicing cultures and to determine its implications on the sexual and reproductive health of women who engage in this female genital modification.

KEYWORDS:

• Africa
• body modifications
• female genital mutilation type IV
• genital attitudes
• genital mutilation and harmful practices
• labia minora elongation
• vaginal practices

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We acknowledge Signe Arnfred, Pia Grassivaro Gallo, Micaela Fusaschi, and Adriane Martin Hilber for their precious contributions to this review, and Alexander Andrason, from the University of Stellenbosch, for his editing labor. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.