title: "The first cut is the deepest": a psychological, sexological and gynecological perspective on female genital cosmetic surgery.
abstract: In recent years increased numbers of healthy women and girls have been seeking female genital cosmetic surgery for esthetic reasons and/or to enhance sexual functioning. This phenomenon is associated with the development of a new vulvovaginal standard due to Internet pornography and the increased exposure of female genitalia. This strict standard may negatively affect women's psychological health and cause increased insecurity, which may drive even teenagers to seek female genital cosmetic surgery. Psychological counseling is recommended to inform women that surgery is not a definitive solution to treat psychologically based pain or dysfunction. Moreover, there is no robust evidence supporting the effectiveness of female genital cosmetic surgery, especially regarding sexual enhancement, as underlined by major scientific societies. The importance of a definite regulation of female genital cosmetic surgery should be emphasized and be based on an ethically oriented, multidisciplinary model aimed at providing exhaustive information on all gynecological, sexological, and psychological concerns raised by this type of surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "G. Fornaroli" Hospital, Magenta, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Giussy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barbara
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Facchin
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "G. Fornaroli" Hospital, Magenta, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meschia
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "IRCCS Ca' Granda" Foundation, "Maggiore Policlinico" Hospital and University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vercellini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D004954:Esthetics / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000523:psychology*; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Female genital cosmetic surgery; ethics; female genitalia; labiaplasty; vulvovaginal standard