title: Anatomical diversity of the female external genitalia and its association to sexual function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide data on the anatomical dimensions of adult female genitalia and to investigate the possible association of vulvar morphology and sexual function.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional prospective cohort study, using measurements of the external genitalia was performed in a day-care unit of a tertiary, university-affiliated medical center from 2013 to 2014. Thirty-two premenopausal women aged 20-51 years, undergoing gynecological procedures under general anesthesia (not involving the external genitalia) were asked to respond to both a local general data questionnaire and a validated sexual function questionnaire (PISQ-12). Based on reported orgasmic performance during sexual intercourse, patients were divided into two groups, and the measured genital features were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Age, body mass index, parity and sexual activity history were recorded. A wide range of values was noted for each measurement. There was no statistically significant association between external genitalia measurements and age, parity or sexual activity. There was no statistically significant difference in any of the external genitalia measurements between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Wide variability exists in the appearance of female external genitalia. Sexual function does not appear to be associated with genital dimensions. This information is important for both women and surgeons when considering cosmetic vulvar surgery.
authors.affiliation: Urogynecology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helen Schneider Hospital for Women, Petach Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. Electronic address: haimkr@clalit.org.il.
authors.forename: Haim
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Krissi
authors.affiliation: Urogynecology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helen Schneider Hospital for Women, Petach Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. Electronic address: gadibe@clalit.org.il.
authors.forename: Gadi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ben-Shitrit
authors.affiliation: Urogynecology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helen Schneider Hospital for Women, Petach Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. Electronic address: amiraviram@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aviram
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. Electronic address: adiyehud@bgu.ac.il.
authors.forename: Adi Yeuda
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Weintraub
authors.affiliation: Urogynecology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helen Schneider Hospital for Women, Petach Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. Electronic address: anat.m.from@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Anat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: From
authors.affiliation: Urogynecology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helen Schneider Hospital for Women, Petach Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. Electronic address: ArnonW@clalit.org.il.
authors.forename: Arnon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wiznitzer
authors.affiliation: Urogynecology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helen Schneider Hospital for Women, Petach Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. Electronic address: ypeled@clalit.org.il.
authors.forename: Yoav
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Peled
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003075:Coitus / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014844:Vulva / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: External genital appearance; Genital measurements; Orgasm; PISQ-12; Sexual function