Perception of aesthetic procedures applied to the vulva in the context of the medical specialty of gynecology and obstetrics.

BACKGROUND

Female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS), particularly labiaplasty, has gained increasing visibility and demand in clinical practice.

AIM: To examine the perceptions of gynecology physicians and residents regarding ethical aspects and knowledge related to FGCS, with a focus on labiaplasty.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 404 physicians, including 327 (80.9%) women and 77 (19.1%) men. Participants completed a structured questionnaire assessing their ethical perspectives on vulvovaginal cosmetic procedures and their specific knowledge of interventions such as labiaplasty, hymenoplasty, clitoroplasty, and others.

OUTCOMES: Differences in ethical views and knowledge levels between experienced physicians and residents were evaluated.

RESULTS

The findings revealed no significant differences between physicians and residents in ethical perceptions of labiaplasty. However, more experienced physicians reported greater exposure to patients seeking these procedures and demonstrated higher levels of knowledge regarding specific techniques.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Despite greater clinical exposure, ethical perspectives seem to be shaped early during academic training, underscoring the importance of formal education on FGCS.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This study provides insights into a relatively underexplored topic in medical education. However, the use of self-reported measures and a cross-sectional design may limit causal interpretations.

CONCLUSION

Ethical perceptions of FGCS are consistent across levels of clinical experience, suggesting a strong influence of medical training and reinforcing the need for structured discussions on the topic in educational curricula.