A comparison of risk factors for women seeking labiaplasty compared to those not seeking labiaplasty.
Little is known about the factors associated with the desire for labiaplasty. We compared 55 women seeking labiaplasty with 70 women in a comparison group who were not seeking labiaplasty. Measures administered included the Perception of Appearance and Competency Related Teasing Scale, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Disgust Scale Revised, and the Genital Appearance Satisfaction scale with open-ended questions about their genitalia. Approximately a third of the labiaplasty group recalled specific negative comments in the past towards their labia, a proportion significantly greater than the three per cent in the comparison group. Participants reporting genital teasing also showed higher Genital Appearance Satisfaction scores than those who were not teased. However, women seeking labiaplasty were, compared to the comparison group, no more likely to have a history of neglect or abuse during childhood. There was no difference between the groups on disgust sensitivity or the perception of being teased in the past about their competence or appearance in general.
The Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London and the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. Electronic address: david.veale@kcl.ac.uk.
David
D
Veale
The Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London and the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Ertimiss
E
Eshkevari
The Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London and the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Nell
N
Ellison
The Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London and the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Ana
A
Costa
Urogynaecology Unit, King's College London and King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
Dudley
D
Robinson
Cosmetic Solutions Ltd., London, UK.
Angelica
A
Kavouni
Urogynaecology Unit, King's College London and King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
Linda
L
Cardozo
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014844:Vulva / Q000601:surgery*; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
Abuse; Body image disorder; Cosmetic surgery; Genitalia; Labiaplasty; Risk factors; Teasing