title: Evaluation of Body Image and Sexual Satisfaction in Women Undergoing Female Genital Plastic/Cosmetic Surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little prospective data exists regarding the procedures constituting female genital plastic/cosmetic surgery (FGPS).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate whether the procedures of labiaplasty and vaginoperineoplasty improve genital self image, and evaluate effects on sexual satisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort case-controlled study of 120 subjects evaluated at baseline, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperative, paired with a demographically similar control group. Interventions include labiaplasty, clitoral hood reduction, and/or aesthetic vaginal tightening, defined as perineoplasty + "vaginoplasty" (aka "vaginal rejuvenation."). Outcome measures include body image, genital self-image, sexual satisfaction, and body esteem.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As a group, study patients tested at baseline showing body dissatisfaction, negative genital self-image, and poorer indices of sexual satisfaction. Preoperative body image of study patients were in a range considered to be mild to moderately dysmorphic, but matched controls at one and two years; genital self-image scores at entry were considerably lower than controls, but by 2-year follow-up had surpassed control value at entry. Similarly, sexual satisfaction values, significantly lower at entry, equaled at one, and surpassed control values, at 2 years. Postoperatively, at all points in time, these differences in body image and genital self-image disappeared, and sexual satisfaction markedly improved. Overall body esteem did not differ between study and control groups, with the exception of the genital esteem quotient, which improved after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women requesting and completing FGPS, when tested by validated instruments, at entry report sexual dissatisfaction and negative genital self-image. When tested at several points in time after surgery up to two years, these findings were no longer present. When performed by an experienced surgeon, FGPS appears to provide sexual and genital self-image improvement.
  
  
  METHODS
  2 Therapeutic.
authors.affiliation: Dr Goodman is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Davis, CA, Dr Placik is an Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, Dr Matlock is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Los Angeles, CA, Dr Simopoulos is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Los Angeles, CA, Dr Dalton is Director, Master of Advanced Study Program, Department of Criminology, Law and Society, University of California, Irvine, CA, Dr Veale is a Consultant Psychiatrist in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust and The Priory Hospital North London, London, United Kingdom, Dr Hardwick-Smith is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Houston, TX.
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Goodman
authors.affiliation: Dr Goodman is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Davis, CA, Dr Placik is an Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, Dr Matlock is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Los Angeles, CA, Dr Simopoulos is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Los Angeles, CA, Dr Dalton is Director, Master of Advanced Study Program, Department of Criminology, Law and Society, University of California, Irvine, CA, Dr Veale is a Consultant Psychiatrist in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust and The Priory Hospital North London, London, United Kingdom, Dr Hardwick-Smith is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Houston, TX.
authors.forename: Otto J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Placik
authors.affiliation: Dr Goodman is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Davis, CA, Dr Placik is an Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, Dr Matlock is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Los Angeles, CA, Dr Simopoulos is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Los Angeles, CA, Dr Dalton is Director, Master of Advanced Study Program, Department of Criminology, Law and Society, University of California, Irvine, CA, Dr Veale is a Consultant Psychiatrist in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust and The Priory Hospital North London, London, United Kingdom, Dr Hardwick-Smith is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Houston, TX.
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Matlock
authors.affiliation: Dr Goodman is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Davis, CA, Dr Placik is an Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, Dr Matlock is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Los Angeles, CA, Dr Simopoulos is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Los Angeles, CA, Dr Dalton is Director, Master of Advanced Study Program, Department of Criminology, Law and Society, University of California, Irvine, CA, Dr Veale is a Consultant Psychiatrist in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust and The Priory Hospital North London, London, United Kingdom, Dr Hardwick-Smith is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Houston, TX.
authors.forename: Alex F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Simopoulos
authors.affiliation: Dr Goodman is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Davis, CA, Dr Placik is an Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, Dr Matlock is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Los Angeles, CA, Dr Simopoulos is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Los Angeles, CA, Dr Dalton is Director, Master of Advanced Study Program, Department of Criminology, Law and Society, University of California, Irvine, CA, Dr Veale is a Consultant Psychiatrist in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust and The Priory Hospital North London, London, United Kingdom, Dr Hardwick-Smith is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Houston, TX.
authors.forename: Teresa A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Dalton
authors.affiliation: Dr Goodman is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Davis, CA, Dr Placik is an Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, Dr Matlock is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Los Angeles, CA, Dr Simopoulos is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Los Angeles, CA, Dr Dalton is Director, Master of Advanced Study Program, Department of Criminology, Law and Society, University of California, Irvine, CA, Dr Veale is a Consultant Psychiatrist in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust and The Priory Hospital North London, London, United Kingdom, Dr Hardwick-Smith is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Houston, TX.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Veale
authors.affiliation: Dr Goodman is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Davis, CA, Dr Placik is an Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, Dr Matlock is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Los Angeles, CA, Dr Simopoulos is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Los Angeles, CA, Dr Dalton is Director, Master of Advanced Study Program, Department of Criminology, Law and Society, University of California, Irvine, CA, Dr Veale is a Consultant Psychiatrist in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust and The Priory Hospital North London, London, United Kingdom, Dr Hardwick-Smith is a cosmetic gynecologist in private practice in Houston, TX.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hardwick-Smith
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012725:Sexual Behavior