Labiaplasty and pornography: a preliminary investigation

Abstract

Discussion about the increasing incidence of labiaplasty has given rise to the widely accepted theory that pornography consumption is the primary driver of this trend. No previous research has attempted to investigate the usefulness of this thesis in predicting genital dissatisfaction or openness to labiaplasty. Our study surveyed women, online and anonymously. There were 1083 participants from 25 countries (majority Australian). We found that women were largely satisfied with the appearance of their vulvas, and generally were not open to labiaplasty. We also found that while pornography was associated with openness to labiaplasty, it was not a predictor of genital satisfaction, casting doubt on a linear framework that positions pornography as the main driver for female genital cosmetic surgery. We concluded that the model is incomplete and that there are additional predictors that must be included in future models.

Keywords:

• plastic surgery
• pornography
• female genital cosmetic surgery
• labiaplasty
• genital satisfaction

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Ms Kylie Bennett and Mr Anthony Bennett of the National Institute for Mental Health Research for their advice and support, and Dr Glenys Bishop of the Statistical Consulting Unit, Australian National University, for her advice. Additionally, the authors would like to thank Professor Kathy Griffiths of the National Institute for Mental Health Research for her support of the project and her editorial comments on the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare they have no competing interests or financial benefit a result of this work.

Notes

1. See Medicare Item 35533 http://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/search.cfm?q=35533&sopt=I

2. See www.facebook.com/vulvatalk