Labia minora hypertrophy: pathologizing diversity?
Sex Med Rev
; 12(3): 263-269, 2024 Jun 26.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38751224
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Labia minora hypertrophy can be characterized by the labial tissue extending beyond the labia majora; however, the exact definition of hypertrophy is a matter of debate. While the prevalence of labia hypertrophy is very common among women, taboo/controversial attitudes and surgical interventions still dominate. The recognition and study of labia minora hypertrophy will increase our knowledge of this underrepresented anatomic diversity.OBJECTIVES:
To provide a report of the current literature on labia hypertrophy and discuss the definition, etiology, attitudes, management, and medicalization surrounding labia minora hypertrophy and the implications.METHODS:
Comprehensive review of literature pertaining to labia minora hypertrophy.RESULTS:
Labia minora appearance and measurements vary extensively, and hypertrophy is extremely prevalent in the population and largely nonpathologic. There remains a lack of standardized criteria to define labia hypertrophy. Attitudes surrounding labia hypertrophy differ globally, but in Western nations the overwhelming sentiment toward labia hypertrophy has largely been medicalized.CONCLUSION:
Negative attitudes and unnecessary medicalization of nonpathologic instances of labia hypertrophy is unjustifiable and comes with potential risks. There remains an impending need to demedicalize nonpathologic elongated labia, educate the public on diverse genital appearance, and improve understanding of the long-term outcomes and risks of genital cosmetic surgery.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Vulva
/
Hypertrophy
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Sex Med Rev
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: