Pathologising diversity: medical websites offering female genital cosmetic surgery in Australia.

Culture, Health & Sexuality
Kimberley ChibnallMaggie Kirkman

Abstract

Female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS) is increasingly popular. Medical organisations report concern about adverse outcomes and inadequate clinical indications. Given the Internet's role in health decisions, we aimed to discover what was being communicated about FGCS on Australian provider websites. Thematic analysis of 31 prominent websites identified six themes: seeking aesthetic perfection; resisting natural diversity; gaining from FGCS; indications for surgery; a simple procedure; and ethical practice. Desirable vulvas were represented as 'neat' and 'youthful'. Sites promoted a discourse in which to be 'feminine' means having no visible sex organs, consistent with the historical repression of women's sexuality. FGCS was constructed as a simple and empowering solution, improving women's comfort, hygiene, self-esteem and sexual relationships. The apparent primary concern was commercial. Attention was rarely paid to ethics. Sites reinforced women's responsibility to strive for aesthetic perfection, implied that vulvar diversity is pathological, made unfounded claims for the benefits of FGCS and downplayed adverse consequences. Findings have implications for public health and medical authorities in countries where FGCS is pract...Continue Reading

References

Apr 22, 2005·BJOG : an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology·Jillian LloydSarah M Creighton
Apr 26, 2008·Health Care for Women International·Amy Su May Lee, Maggie Kirkman
Dec 4, 2008·Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery·Gary J Alter
Nov 17, 2009·The Journal of Sexual Medicine·Michael P GoodmanFederico Gonzalez
Jan 14, 2016·Human Reproduction·K HammarbergS de Lacey
Jun 4, 2016·Culture, Health & Sexuality·Calida HowarthMeredith Temple-Smith
Oct 14, 2016·The Medical Journal of Australia·Amanda J AmptChristine L Roberts
Nov 24, 2016·Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery·Gemma SharpJulie Mattiske

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Citations

Dec 13, 2019·Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology : the Journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology·Hazel Isabella LearnerSarah M Creighton
Aug 28, 2020·Journal of Sex Research·Kaylee SkodaCory L Pedersen
Jan 1, 2021·The Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology·Jennifer A Hayes, Meredith J Temple-Smith
Sep 21, 2021·International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics : the Official Organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics·Neha AgrawalManisha Jhirwal

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