The perceptions of female genital self-image and its associations with female sexual distress

Female genital self-image and body appreciation in Turkish women: a mixed methods study

The study investigated negative genital self-image in women and determined the effect of education on natural/normal female genital appearance diversity on the change in women's genital self-image. The type of research is a mixed method descriptive study. The participants were 259 women living in Turkey. In the first stage of the study, female genital self-image levels and body appreciation levels were evaluated. In the second stage of the study, women were interviewed thoroughly about negative female genital self-image, and then, visual education presentation was made on natural/normal female genital diversity. One week after the presentation, the women's genital self-image levels were re-evaluated. In the first phase of the study, the mean Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS) total score was 22.07 ± 4.07 and the mean Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) total score was 42.40 ± 8.13 of the women. Higher FGSIS and BAS scores showed an increase in women's positive genital self-image and body appreciation. The relationship between the FGSIS and the BAS scale scores of the women was found to be significantly correlated (r = 0.401, p < 0.001). In the second stage of the study, four main themes were examined as "positive thoughts," "size and image," "metaphors related to genital organs," and "negative thoughts." In conclusion, in the first phase, it was determined that women's feeling of discomfort with their sexual organs during sexual intercourse, comparing their genital organs with other women's genital organs, thinking of genital organ aesthetic surgery, and BAS scores were associated with FGSIS scores. In the second phase, women's positive or negative feelings and thoughts about their genital self-image were revealed.

The strength of correlation between female genital self-image and sexual function: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Mounting evidence indicates that female genital aesthetic complaints impact sexual relationships.

AIM

The study sought to determine the strength of the correlation between genital self-image and sexual function.

METHODS

Electronic databases were comprehensively searched including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from January 2000 to December 2022. After duplicate removal, 146 articles were retrieved by searching keywords in titles and abstracts.

OUTCOMES

A positive correlation is noted between genital self-image and sexual function; the strength of this correlation was 0.375.

RESULTS

By omitting irrelevant articles according to the eligibility criteria, 16 articles remained for a total of 13 505 participants. All but 1 of them indicated a statistically significant positive correlation between genital self-image and sexual function. For a more accurate result, a meta-analysis was conducted noting a considerable heterogeneity.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The results of this study may be used in counseling women with sexual dysfunction who are dissatisfied with their genital appearance.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

This study is the first systematic review to reveal the strength of the correlation between genital self-image and sexual function. The most important limitation of this study is the heterogeneity of the studies reported.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review indicates a positive correlation between genital self-image and sexual function. The results are restricted by inconsistency of the articles considered. Using different tools in different cultural contexts without considering confounding factors leads to a wide range of correlation sizes and significant heterogeneity is evident.

Labiaplasty in Asian women: Motivation, technique feasibility, and patient reported outcomes

Labiaplasty is an increasingly popular aesthetic procedure. However, there is a lack of information regarding different surgical procedures and Asian patients' motivations and outcomes. This study aimed to understand patients' motivations for seeking labiaplasty and to examine surgical outcomes of different procedures. This retrospective study enroled patients between August 2016 and May 2021. Patient demographics, surgical procedures, complications, and revision surgeries were reviewed. Responses to questionnaires regarding patient motivations for undergoing labiaplasty, pre- and postoperative discomfort and aesthetics, Rosen's Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) scores, and Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS) scores were recorded. One hundred thirty-one patients were included, with an average age of 30.3 ± 7.78 years. Eighty-seven (66.4%) patients underwent bilateral labiaplasty, and 44 (33.6%) underwent unilateral labiaplasty. The surgical techniques included 61 (46.6%) direct resections, 50 (38.2%) wedge resections, and 20 (15.3%) "hockey stick" procedures. Wound dehiscence occurred in 37 (28.2%) patients. A significant increase in complications occurred after the hockey stick procedure and wedge resection. Patients' motivation for surgery included aesthetic reasons in 62.0%, symptom relief in 91.5%, and repeated infection in 4.2%. There was a significant difference between pre- and postoperative genital aesthetics (p 0.001) and discomfort symptoms (p 0.001). The average RSES score was 19.68 ± 4.03, and the average FGSIS score was 20.77 ± 3.20. Pain and discomfort remained the most important motivations for Asian women to seek labiaplasty, followed by aesthetic reasons. With good preoperative consultation and surgical planning, satisfaction can be achieved concerning functional and aesthetic aspects.

Hybrid high- and low-molecular weight chains of hyaluronan is an effective modality treatment for increasing female sexual satisfaction: An interventional, randomized-control parallel study

Background and Aims

Psychological, behavioral, hormonal, surgical, and psychopharmacologic approaches are the only acknowledged treatments for Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD). The study is conducted to assess the efficacy of hybrid cooperative complexes of high and low molecular weight hyaluronan (hybrid H-HA/L-HA) in treating females with varying of sexual dysfunction and to assess the female genital self-image scale (FGSIS), female sexual function index (FSFI), and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) before and after treatment.

Methods

Sixty female patients were divided into two groups. The study group enrolled 30 female patients injected with hybrid H-HA/L-HA, while the control group enrolled 30 female patients injected with saline. Patients were recruited from the clinic searching for medical advice. Controls were selected from close associates of the cases who were attending with the patients or healthy escorts of dermatology patients attending the dermatology outpatient clinic. We assessed socio-demographic, clinical evaluation, the (FGSIS), (FSFI), and (DLQI) before and after treatment. The first assessment was conducted at the first visit, and the second assessment was conducted after 1 month of the second injection.

Result

Significant increase in the frequency of sexual intercourse/week in the study group after the first and second injection sessions compared to the controls was observed (p < 0.05). There was statistically significant amelioration in desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction domains, and total score of the FSFI (p ≤ 0.05). The study demonstrated significant increasing differences in all domains of the FGSIS (p ≤ 0.05). The symptoms and feelings, leisure, personal relationships, and total scores were significantly higher post first and second injection of (hybrid H-HA/L-HA) sessions compared to the controls (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The (hybrid H-HA/L-HA) injection for rejuvenating the genital area appears to be a safe and effective way to enhance female genital self-image, sexuality, and quality of life with high levels of satisfaction as a minimally invasive method.