Pursuing The Perfect Vagina Has Plenty Of Problems
Posted by: Jessica Wakeman
Filed in:
news
4:10PM, Wednesday November 11th 2009
Vaginas! Let’s talk about them. Perhaps, like me, you don’t know much about what anyone’s vagina looks like, except for your own. But it turns out the lips of the labia can be “innies” or “outies,” just like belly buttons, and “outies” ... well, they look just like they sound. Surely, women with “outies” can feel discomfort down there when riding a bike or wearing tight-fitting jeans. But the truth is, the majority of the time a woman gets labioplasty surgery on her vagina, she’s letting a plastic surgeon have a go at her hooda with a scalpel for aesthetic reasons. She wants the perfect vagina, but what the heck is that?
Slicing and dicing up your ladyflower to “prettify” it is disconcerting on its own, but new research published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology has found labioplasty surgery creates similar complications with childbirth that victims of female genital mutilation (also called female circumcision) suffer. Gynecologist Sarah Creighton, a researcher at University College London who conducted the study, found that labioplasty may alleviate some sex-related problems but increases the risk of tearing, bleeding and nerve damage.
Despite the health risks, labioplasties are on the rise as more women pursue the perfect vagina. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released a warning against labioplasties in 2007, calling it “deceptive” of physicians to “give the impression” that these surgeries are “accepted and routine,” and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported the procedures increased from 793 in 2005 to 1,030 in 2006. By 2008, a spokesman from the British medical group Surgicare told the BBC they had seen a 300 percent increase in labioplasties and a 700 percent increase in inquiries about labioplasties.
Getting a labioplasty is like getting a boob job on your vagina—even the former president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons admitted as much (though he didn’t have a problem with it). Douglas McGeorge told the BBC:
For the majority [of women, labioplasty] is aesthetic, that’s true. Lads’ mags are looked at by girlfriends and make them think more about the way they look. We live in times where we are much more open about our bodies—and changing them—and labioplasty is simply a part of this.”
Dr. Creighton, who researched the report by reviewing all the existing studies on aesthetic labioplasty, strongly condemned the rise in such surgeries:
“Labial surgery needs to be rigorously evaluated in future, and for longer term. Furthermore, quality research is needed to improve our understanding of the psychological drivers behind women’s decision to sacrifice sexually sensitive tissue that contributes to erotic experiences, for a certain genital appearance that used to be an obligation only for some glamour models.”
—[BBC]
Some women may truly need labioplasty to increase comfort and reduce pain. But the majority of cases, the “psychological drivers,” really need a lot more attention; these women have self-esteem issues or believe that the vagina is “ugly,” “dirty,” or “bad.” It’s absolutely mind-boggling that girls in parts of Africa are forced to suffer painful and oppressive female genital mutilation and experience painful side effects during childbirth, while women elsewhere in the world choose to cut up their vaginas and, thus, suffer those same side effects in childbirth.
Why, again, do women want to do this? Putting your health at risk to have a porno vag is a prime case of “I choose my choice!” feminism gone haywire.
But then again, plastic surgeons have never made the big money off of people with good self-esteem.
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Lexie
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 04:17 pm: [report]
Unless your lady flower is a Venus fly trap, there is no need to slice and dice it into a rose.
AnitaBath
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 04:18 pm: [report]
I agree with the article, but I don’t really think comparing female genital mutation to a voluntary, desired labioplasty is fair, unless you’re speaking in hyperbole.
spatula
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 04:24 pm: [report]
OWWWWW. my vagina is cringing in sympathy.
hops09
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 04:29 pm: [report]
It’s a matter of personal preference. But, some vaginas are definitely prettier than others. I would never want a woman to go under the knife, but if it makes her feel better about herself and it’s done safely. Why stop them?
Jenn27549
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 04:34 pm: [report]
Just wait until after childbirth. Problem solved!
GreenAura
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 04:35 pm: [report]
Vaginas are like snowflakes; each one is different. That’s part of their beauty! Imperfections just add character. “Innies” look like a treasure chest begging to be opened and “outies” look like a pair of luscious lips that long to be kissed. Embrace your juice boxes ladies!!
SouthOC
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 04:45 pm: [report]
@GreenAura: Well said.
Note: I liked your previous avatar. This one scares me a little bit…
ACooper
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 04:46 pm: [report]
Maybe I am going to sound ignorant and naive…but I had no idea there are “innies” and “outies” in vagina world. I have definitely heard of women with long or over-sized labia going under the knife, but not this. Are outies just folded out?
GreenAura
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 04:47 pm: [report]
@SouthOC: It’s called “Interbeing” by Alex Grey, my fave artist. Sorry it scares you a little, but I’m keepin it!
SouthOC
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 04:51 pm: [report]
@GreenAura: No worries, I’m glad you like it.
develange
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 05:29 pm: [report]
@ ACooper - visit http://www.the-clitoris.com/ for an intense vulva gallery. It may gross you out, but it sure made me appreciate mine more!
It’s funny, because I never knew there were “innies” (I assume, women with little to no inner labia?) until I started watching porn. I guess I have what you call an outie…can someone please clarify the terminology?
In 6th grade health class, when I saw the vulva diagram, I thought “ehhh…mine doesn’t look like that!” Probably why it took me so long to figure out exactly where my clit is.
evelwood
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 06:01 pm: [report]
So I guess I don’t get the trend either. Does an average labioplasty achieve “innies”, “outies”, or some “perfection” of what you’re born with? I can’t imagine obsessing about your vagina to that point. OUCH
Jillybean
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 06:21 pm: [report]
Do I dare click the link? I’m so tempted to know. You never know, maybe I’m beautiful down there.
Should I be stopping randoms in the street to get their opinion I wonder?
Pinky
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 06:24 pm: [report]
I have a cute one. So there…
Kathls
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 06:30 pm: [report]
oh great, one more part of my body that I need to worry whether or not it’s too fat. I’m with Jillybean and Pinky. I could stop randoms in the street, but I’m going to go with the assumption that I have a cute one
btw, I clicked on the link. wow that is a lot of info, that must have taken forever to put all that together. And even after looking through it, I’m still not certain about what exactly defines and innie vs. an outie.
Jillybean
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 06:33 pm: [report]
After looking at that link I’m happy with my lot, that’s all I’m saying.
*crawls into the corner*
I’m all for women power and the like, but you know what? All vaginas look a bit weird. At least mine makes me feel good.
tishfish44
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 07:06 pm: [report]
OK so by definition, I think I have an “outie” but I’ve watched enough porn to know I’m not abnormal…
That said, this article is very apropos of my day when I was lacking vaginal hubris and decided that, when it comes to my lady-business, the beauty really is on the inside.
develange
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 07:28 pm: [report]
haha, sorry if that link disturbed anyone. Looking at photo after photo of labia can get…overwhelming. I know I got grossed out after a while. But the whole labia classification system was funny!
AnitaBath
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 07:33 pm: [report]
Some of those photos were seriously frightening. I didn’t know they could look like that!
palomadoe
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 07:38 pm: [report]
I’m confused as to what an discerns an “innie” to an “outie” vagina? I’m pretty sure most normal women are all outies and there is no discomfort when riding a bike or whatnot. Our labia are four feet long.
Kati-Anne
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 08:21 pm: [report]
A few days ago I had the first conversation ever about what my vulva looks like and the girls I was talking with were all describing theirs… it was strange, but informative and fascinating and none of us had ever talked about it before. So if you are friends with any oversharers, I recommend that you have that conversation. Or don’t, whatever.
Leo's Bird
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 09:02 pm: [report]
Wow, that was educational…
I thought the outside lips were usually on the outside? Apparently not? How the heck are you going to define a beautiful one? They’re all pretty different.
Oh well. Mine certainly works for me
theattack
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 09:41 pm: [report]
All vaginas are beautiful. I disagree that they’re weird looking. And I’m wonderfully happy with my “outie labia” if that’s the terminology we’re using. Just because that’s not what I see in porn doesn’t make it any less beautiful than anyone else’s vagina. For every vagina out there, there’s going to be someone that finds it irresistible. But it’s yours - it doesn’t matter what anybody else thinks about it, and you shouldn’t take away your luscious labia because of someone else’s preferences. I think the only legitimate reason to have this procedure done is if your labia is so large that it causes you real discomfort and pain. Not just that sometimes it gets in the wrong position, or you have to readjust occasionally - but if it really truly gets in the way all the time.
Jillybean
wrote on November 12 2009 @ 05:59 am: [report]
Here’s a question to ponder:
I have only ever seen my vagina in great detail. I’ve seen family and friends ‘in passing’ (what can I say, I’m European) and now I’ve educated myself with the link and regretsy.com. (And I suppose porn, but I’d never noticed it before)
However! Mine is still the one I know best. To me it is the first, the model for all others. When I see someone else I go “Hey, mine doesn’t look like that, you’re odd.” How do some people go to “Hey, mine doesn’t look like that, I’m odd.”
Am I incredibly self centred or would I be correct in saying there’s probably deeper issues at work here?
bogart4017
wrote on November 12 2009 @ 07:25 am: [report]
The only ugly vagina i’ve seen was discolored and looked like it suffered from razor burn and ingrown hairs (ugh!) Surgery couldnt help that!
ootie grl
wrote on November 12 2009 @ 07:54 am: [report]
Thats crazy. Laidies getting their hohas chopped. Theyre not custom cars. They should be different. Unless its medically needed leave your vag alone.
GreyWolf
wrote on November 12 2009 @ 11:35 am: [report]
@ootie girl: Exactly.
As a guy who’s seen his share (live, mags, porno… what can I say? I’m a guy), I’ve liked them all. Some might have been a little more appealing, but none were, by themselves, at all unattractive. And I’ve NEVER seen one that I wouldn’t be willing to get involved with
Society’s obsession with perfection is robbing us of the delight of the infinite variety of the exquisite beauty that nature visits on it’s most marvelous creation: the human female body.
Before you even begin to think of touching the masterpiece between your legs, just ask yourself “Would any man turn this down (or woman for the bi/les among us)?” Anyone who says yes has very serious self-image issues.
Lanai
wrote on November 12 2009 @ 12:02 pm: [report]
I can understand the obsession with the “perfect” appearance of the flower. I refuse to let a man go down on me because of my insecurity with it. Not that I necessarily think there is anything wrong w/ it, but I would rather not be criticized. If I never have anyone look @ it and tell me something is wrong then I never have to fret about it! To each their own, if you are that concerned w/ its appearance than do what you need to do, but personally I say keep all sharp objects away please!!!
spark
wrote on November 12 2009 @ 02:54 pm: [report]
fortunately, mine is perfect! i see others in pics, or on porn sites, and think ewww, mine is so much nicer!
MuchoMacho
wrote on November 12 2009 @ 03:10 pm: [report]
love the gf’s. love it. small. petite. extremely visually appealing. i am not advocating surgery, but i have seen some less than attractive looking vag’s… but they all felt great!
NaomiK
wrote on November 12 2009 @ 03:58 pm: [report]
(TMI Alert) My inner labia tore during childbirth, and I think had I had the money I would have gotten it fixed because it wasn’t symmetrical down there anymore. It weird how something that doesn’t really matter and the general public can’t even see can have such an impact on your self-esteem. However, after a couple years I got used to the “new look” and there’s no way I’d go under the knife to get something so small fixed.
MuchoMacho
wrote on November 12 2009 @ 04:03 pm: [report]
@Naomi - it has been my experience that most labia are not symmetrical. fyi.
Restoring Tally
wrote on November 12 2009 @ 04:30 pm: [report]
I am a guy and I love vaginas. I prefer the natural ones, totally unaltered. The human form is perfect, even when it is imperfect. I think it a shame that people find it necessary to modify their body to achieve some ideal of perfection.
the rebel angel
wrote on November 12 2009 @ 05:33 pm: [report]
Sometime ago a friend sent me the link to a website that features photos of various labias/vulvas/vaginas shot in an artistic way and featured in a book called ‘Petals’. I think anyone considering altering their natural ‘flower’ should take a look at this! http://nickkarras.com/gallery.htm
dudette
wrote on November 12 2009 @ 05:48 pm: [report]
One time one of my guy friends was telling a story about an acquaintance of ours that told a lot of people about a girl he hooked up with that had a “sloppy” vagina. (My friends are not dicks…just telling the story) By sloppy I dont mean unhygienic, it was in appearance. I felt very offended as a woman because not only is it very disrespectful to talk about anyone that way after hooking up but also since when are vaginas expected to be neat? I’ve never been totally comfortable with my own vagina because it is noticeably unsymmetrical and if guys really talk about vaginas in this way I am concerned. Although I have these insecurities I would never dream of going under the knife. Actually I love the rest of my body, something which I get the impression that not all women do. I guess we all have our own hang ups…
meredith806
wrote on November 12 2009 @ 06:46 pm: [report]
ow wow. That website was err..intense haha. I’ve never really given it that much thought. But I can say I’m quite glad mine doesn’t resemble some of those, not for the visual aspect, but I would think the inner labia being that long would be insanely annoying. Especially since I ride horses daily…oweee
AnneQ
wrote on November 12 2009 @ 07:43 pm: [report]
Heh. I used to be really self-conscious about mine because it didn’t look like anything I had ever seen anywhere (porn included). Basically, I have no inner lips, AT ALL. If I press down in the place where they should be, I can feel a bumpy ridge, but there is nothing visible. Also, my first gyno visit was made more horrid by the doctor commenting on it. Eventually I just grew out of caring about it. I figure if it works properly (which it does), who cares what it looks like or whether it looks typical or atypical?
DancingGeek
wrote on November 12 2009 @ 09:00 pm: [report]
OMG can i vote for Lexie for the gift of gab- that’s freaking hilarious.
I like my hoo ha just fine the way it is thanks.