Sexual quality of life, female sexual function, female genital self- and body image among women requesting genital cosmetic surgery: a comparative study

ABSTRACT

Female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS) is increasingly becoming popular among Iranian women. This study aimed to assess the relationship between sexual quality of life, female genital self-image, body image and sexual function, in women requesting genital cosmetic surgery. A sample of 50 women seeking genital cosmetic surgery without any medical indications and 100 women as comparison group participated in the study. Participants were selected by convenience sampling. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed by four steps to indicate factors that contribute to the female sexual quality of life. The results showed that education, age, duration of marriage, female genital self-image, body image, sexual function jointly accounted for 60% of the variance in sexual quality of life score between two groups. Of these, sexual function and body image showed the greatest coefficients (β = 0.493 and 0.282, respectively) and significant relationship with sexual quality of life score, p < 0.001. This study is the first investigation that examines FGCS in Iran. The findings suggest that there is association between seeking cosmetic vaginal surgery and female sexual functioning and body image, and that these are related to female sexual quality of life. Perhaps improving these factors might lead to the decreased unnecessary female genital cosmetic surgeries.

KEYWORDS:

• Sexual quality of life
• sexual function
• body image
• women
• cosmetic surgery

Additional information

Funding

This research has been supported by Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services; Grant number 25162.

Notes on contributors

Tahereh Eftekhar

Tahereh Eftekhar is a urogynecologist fellowship. She is currently working as associateprofessor in Pelvic Floor Department and Vali-e-Asr Reproductive Health ResearchCenter of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Her research interests are PsychosexualDysfunctions.

Marzieh Hajibabaei

Marzieh Hajibabaei is a psychologist. She is currently studying as a PhD candidate in psychology and working at  Psychosomatic Medicine Research Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Her research interests are Spiritual Health, Quality oflife, and Sexual Health.

Maryam Deldar Pesikhani

Maryam Deldar Pesikhani is a Pelvic Floor Medicine Fellowship. She is currently workingas assistant professor in Pelvic Floor Department of Tehran University of MedicalSciences.

Parvin Rahnama

Parvin Rahnama with background in nursing and midwifery completed her PhD in healtheducation and health promotion. She was academic member of Shahed University. She,while very young, died due to a severe illness in peace and calm on 12 April 2018.

Ali Montazeri

Ali Montazeri is Professor of Public Health and Epidemiology and currently works atIranian Institute for Health Sciences Research, He is well known for his studies in qualityof life in different populations. At present he serves as Associate Editor of Health andQuality of Life Outcomes and Academic Editor of PLOS One.