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Female genital cosmetic surgery: how can clinicians act in women's best interests?
Author(s) -
Michala Lina,
Liao LihMei,
Creighton Sarah M
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the obstetrician and gynaecologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1744-4667
pISSN - 1467-2561
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-4667.2012.00121.x
Subject(s) - sex organ , female circumcision , distress , medicine , informed consent , psychological distress , surgery , psychology , gynecology , alternative medicine , psychiatry , clinical psychology , pathology , mental health , genetics , biology
Key content Female genital cosmetic surgery is becoming more widespread. Risks and long‐term effects have not been adequately investigated. There is limited evidence to allow women to give informed consent.Learning objectives To understand the wide variation in external genital appearance among women. To be able to hypothesise the underlying reasons for a woman to request female genital cosmetic surgery. To be able to suggest psychological assessment and management where appropriate.Ethical issues Women seeking genital cosmetic surgery are driven by strong contemporary cultural pressure and it is not clear to what extent they can engage with risk information. The boundaries between female genital cosmetic surgery and female genital mutilation are blurred. Doctors should be deeply suspicious about a new surgical procedure aimed at treating psychological distress and largely undertaken in the private sector.