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Women’s aesthetic perceptions of the genitalia and their association with anatomical measurements

  • General Gynecology
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Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

The purpose of this study is to determine women’s perceptions of the vulva with the criteria defined in the literature for the ideal vulva and determine their relationship with anatomical measurements to determine the extent to which women’s perceptions of normal align with our aesthetic standards of normality.

Methods

First of all, a questionnaire was given to all participants. The items of the data collection form included personal information, obstetric and gynecological information, their perceptions of their external genitalia and any physical, sexual, psychological, and hygiene problems they experience. Then examination and measurements of the external genitalia were performed.

Results

The majority of participants considered their genitalia normal (n = 101, 89.4%), while 12 participants (10.6%) considered them abnormal. Statistical analyses showed that women’s perception of their genitalia as normal in appearance and size was associated with labia minora asymmetry (p = 0.023 and p = 0.006, respectively) and hyperpigmentation (p = 0.010 and p = 0.047, respectively) but not with labia minora measurements or protrusion (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Although there is a tendency in the field of aesthetic surgery to define ideals and aesthetic standards for all parts of the body, our definitions of normality do not always coincide with those of the individual. The appearance of the genitalia is as personal as the face, and an individual’s self-perception is more important than our ideal.

Level IV

Evidence obtained from multiple time series with or without the intervention, such as case studies. Dramatic results in uncontrolled trials might also be regarded as this type of evidence.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Oğuz Gönen and Jacqueline Renee for English language editing and English translation.

Funding

No financial assistance was received.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Department, Sivas Cumhuriyet University Medical Faculty, 58140, Sivas, Turkey

    Handan Derebaşınlıoğlu

  2. Family Medicine Department, Sivas Cumhuriyet University Medical Faculty, 58140, Sivas, Turkey

    Sanem Nemmezi Karaca

  3. Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Sivas Cumhuriyet University Medical Faculty, 58140, Sivas, Turkey

    Çağlar Yıldız

Authors
  1. Handan Derebaşınlıoğlu
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  2. Sanem Nemmezi Karaca
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  3. Çağlar Yıldız
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Handan Derebaşınlıoğlu.

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Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical approval and Consent to participate

Ethics committee approval for the study was obtained from the local ethics committee of Sivas Cumhuriyet University. (No: 2021–08/56, date: 19.08.2021).

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Consent is obtained from our patients that their data will be used in the studies.

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Derebaşınlıoğlu, H., Nemmezi Karaca, S. & Yıldız, Ç. Women’s aesthetic perceptions of the genitalia and their association with anatomical measurements. Arch Gynecol Obstet 307, 1847–1857 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-023-06956-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-023-06956-3

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