Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery

Procedures that were once used to repair inherent vaginal defects and related ailments resulting from childbirth, have now become one of the newest ways to surgically prune the body. Bestowing physical and cosmetic relief for those in search of its promised outcomes, cosmetic genital surgery has also affected profits into the millions for the practitioners who can provide it.

Women have been redesigning their vulvae (the external genital organs) for ages, through methods such as genital piercing, Brazilian waxing, and coloring of pubic hair; is surgery the next step in attaining the ideal? Could this trend be going too far?

We will examine the origins of such permanent genital landscaping, the nature of mainstream procedures, and the various motives for having it done. We’ll also present some tips regarding changing the form and function of the vagina, and lastly, we’ll touch upon the effects of normative expectations of the female body.

How It All Started

Gynecological procedures have been performed for decades, correcting ailments such as stress urinary incontinence and bowel conditions, both of which can occur due to childbirth. Additionally, the vaginal structure can relax over time, attributable to aging or a weakening of the muscle and tissue in the canal, making internal stimulation become progressively less pleasurable.

Women who underwent surgery to repair these medical conditions began to notice a welcome side effect; by reducing surplus vaginal lining and restoring the tightness of the vaginal muscles, women experienced increased levels of sexual gratification. When word spread that they could enhance their level of sexual enjoyment, vaginal tightening soon became more of a cosmetic measure, rather than a traditional gynaecological one.

Instances such as injury, naturally occurring vaginal defects and male to female sexual reassignments were also causes to seek reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. Surgeons could change the appearance of vulvular structures with attractive outcomes, either by laser treatment or by transferring fat from areas like the buttocks or thighs. Practitioners eventually began to offer these services more frequently to women seeking to enhance the way their vaginas look, the same way they would for the face or breasts.

The Procedures

Thus, Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery has emerged for a range of clientele, far beyond that of adult film stars, with needs that are just as diverse. Some seek to attain their notion of what the ideal vagina is, commonly thought to be one that has plump outer lips, with inner lips that stay neatly tucked in, and a clitoral hood (the flap of skin that protects the clitoral body) that is tidy and trim.

A number of women seek surgery simply because they are too embarrassed as to how their vaginas look, with some even refusing to let their partners see them with the lights on. Others want to recreate their hymens in order to restore their virginity for a special occasion or because their cultures value virginity at the time of marriage.

Vaginal tightening

Also commonly referred to as vaginoplasty, or vaginal rejuvenation, this procedure involves stitching the walls of the vagina closer together, making the channel smaller in size. This tighter fit has an appeal to those who have a relaxed vagina, want improved sexual pleasure, or want to better enjoy a less endowed partner.

By altering the ‘platform’ of the g-spot, perineum, and the outer and inner vaginal orifice, vaginal tightening can enhance the sensation of pleasure from the friction or pressure applied to that area during sex.

Unfortunately, the surgery’s effect on women’s sexual functioning has had little to no medical or professional research done to substantiate its claim. Despite the fact that more and more practitioners are jumping on the bandwagon to offer their services, others firmly believe that Kegel Exercises are the most effective method to improve vaginal fitness. Moreover, they consider uncorroborated claims of results not significant enough to outweigh the potential risks of surgery.

Labiaplasty

Also known as vaginoplasty, vaginal enhancement, and vaginal reconstruction, this procedure aesthetically changes the appearance and shape of the vulvar structures. One of the most common requests is to make the outer labia completely cover their inner labia. Although it is very common for the inner lips to protrude past the outer ones, anatomy books, art and adult pornography usually depict the (inner) labia minora as shorter than the (outer) labia majora.

There are a number of other ways that surgeons can change the look of the vagina: the inner labia can be thinned out and trimmed back; the clitoral hood (the extra skin along the clitoris) can be reduced; the outer labia can be sculpted and even injected with fat to appear plumper; the perineum, as well as the entrance to the vagina, can be tightened; and the mons pubis, the cushy area above the clitoris, can also be reshaped.

Hymenoplasty

This form of cosmetic surgery surgically puts the hymen back to an intact state. It is also referred to as hymen tightening, hymen repair surgery, hymenorrhaphy, and hymen restoration. This reconstructive procedure re-establishes the thin mucous membrane by stitching back together the delicate tissue that has fragmented due to sexual activity, pap smears, tampon use, and intense physical exercise such as horseback riding. It is said that women who undergo this procedure have also experienced a tightening of the vaginal walls. See www.tcclinic.com/hymen-restoration-toronto.php for more information…

Women from cultures where virginity is highly valued will often pay thousands to restore the hymen. After approximately six weeks of healing, the hymen can grow back together and women can experience the same sensation as when it was first broken; it may even bleed after Intercourse which, in many cultures, authenticates a woman’s virginity.

G-Spot Enhancement

An orgasm from a needle? Invented by one of the pioneers of Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. David Matlock of the Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation Institute of Los Angeles coined this yet-to-be-approved practice, 'The G-Shot'. The California based clinic advertises it as a lunchtime procedure that takes only fifteen minutes to complete. The effects can last up to four months.

This action, also known as G-spot amplification, literally augments the G-spot; women with normal sexual functioning will experience enhanced vaginal sexual pleasure as a result of the injection. The process is relatively simple. Collagen is injected into the area of the G-spot; the spot gets plumped up and out, thus making the G-spot easier to reach and thus, easier to stimulate.

Tummy/Clitoral Tuck

A variation on the traditional tummy tuck, Pubic Mound Liposuction removes fat from the area just above the pubic area and can pull back the tissue of the clitoral hood, which might be blocking access to clitoris, up and out of the way. Some say that this procedure makes a clitoral orgasm possible; however, the results are again, speculative. At three to four thousand dollars, the slight chance of it making a difference to your sex life is a costly gamble; the risk of desensitization is also very real.

Risks

As with any surgery, there are risks that need to be seriously considered. Vaginal tightening and labiaplasty are two routes that are not without their risks; among them are haemorrhage, infection, complete or partial loss of sensitivity, over tightness, and nerve damage. Desensitization, scar tissue lingering pain and healing times as extensive as six weeks, or more, are also real possibilities.

Alternatives to Surgery

A good word of advice is to contemplate non-surgical options and exhaust all other less invasive options before taking more permanent measures. Many professionals recommend Kegel exercises to strengthen the pubococcygeus muscles; moreover, weighted Kegel exercisers such as the The Énergie barbell can assist the practice.

Negative Social Impact?

Questions raised as a result of the increased popularity of this type of surgery include: Are women buying into another oppressive form of beauty by seeking out procedures like vaginal rejuvenation or labiaplasty? Are designer vaginas becoming the next Silicone Breast? Whether unhappy with their genital arrangement, or because they want their vulvae to look like a pre-pubescent teen’s, women’s more frequent use of surgery is a testament to the advancement of technology as well as its accessibility and appeal to the general public.

Some would argue that the growing popularity of Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery is just another way to cash in on women’s insecurities, so that they can appeal to the male. Others counter that successfully correcting an aesthetic defect or medical condition has boosted their self confidence, improved the quality of their lives.

Unfortunately, a cookie-cutter notion of what the vagina is supposed to look like has been shaped by media and images from adult films and magazines. The emergence of airbrushing and digital enhancement has also brought along with it a mixed bag of concerns, with unrealistic expectations of the female body at the top of the list. The ability to weigh the consequences of permanent surgery and recognize body image issues will be important when making a choice.

Final Thoughts

Unrealistic beliefs about what the body should look like can give rise to negative emotions, leading to self-consciousness, fixation on certain body parts, and avoidance of certain situations like swimming or being nude. Yes, there are more expectations being placed on what women’s vulvae are supposed to look like, but there are many variations to ‘perfect’ so be realistic about what is or isn’t desirable or possible.

If you’re considering one of these procedures, factor into the costs that you may have to travel, book extra time off work, and pay for additional childcare. When you meet your potential surgeon, be sure you’re comfortable with their methods and find out what their post-operative aftercare support is. You’ll also want one who can give you reasonable and up-front expectations about the potential outcomes of the surgery.