title: Interest in cosmetic vulvar surgery and perception of vulvar appearance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to determine whether reproductive-age women are more likely to perceive their vulva as abnormal compared with older-aged women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women aged 18-44 years (group 1) and 45-72 years (group 2) completed a survey on demographics, grooming patterns, vulvar perceptions, and source of information about the vulva.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no difference between group 1 and group 2 in how often women looked at their vulva or their perception of having a normal vulva (91% vs 93%, P = .76). Both groups were satisfied with the appearance of their vulva (81% vs 82%, P = .71). A higher percentage in group 2 would consider cosmetic surgery if cost were not an issue versus group 1 (15% vs 8%, P = .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A woman's age does not have an impact on her perception of a normal vulva. The majority of women perceived their vulva to be normal and were satisfied with its appearance. However, older women are more interested in cosmetic vulvar surgery.
authors.affiliation: Section of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Washington Hospital Center/Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA. ladin.yurteri-kaplan@medstar.net
authors.forename: Ladin A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Yurteri-Kaplan
authors.forename: Danielle D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Antosh
authors.forename: Andrew I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Sokol
authors.forename: Amy J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Gutman
authors.forename: Sheryl A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Kingsberg
authors.forename: Cheryl B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Iglesia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology*; D014844:Vulva / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult