AN EVOLVING ERA OF AESTHETIC GYNAECOLOGY

ABSTRACT:

From the last few years aesthetic gynaecology has been streaming everywhere because of its various
health and beauty benefits.

Aesthetic gynaecology involves procedures to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the vulva/vaginal
region; and vaginal repairs to enhance or restore sexual functions.[1] The aim of this presentation is to
elaborate this relatively new and fastest growing subspeciality and to discuss the various procedural
methods and techniques, indications for implementation, potential consequences, benefits and harms
of these procedures.

KEYWORDS:

Aesthetic, labiaplasty, vaginoplasty, clitoral hoodectomy.

INTRODUCTION:

Aesthetic gynaecology is one of the fastest growing branches in women’s health with increasing patient
interest and demand. It encompasees various procedures to change aesthetic and/or functional aspects
associated with congenital abnormalities or course of life women’s genital changes.[2] With increasing
concern about appearances more and more women are today searching for more information and
embracing new medical treatments to achieve the desired look be it external or intimate. Aesthetic
gynaecology is not just about sexual beautification , it has a lot to do with a women’s reproductive heath
and functioning. The way we feel about our body directly affects our emotional health. It is often noticed
that people who embraced their bodies tend to be more confident and happy.

There are various gynaecological treatments bot surgical and non-surgical to improve the health of
external genitalia and to improve women’s health.[3] Indications and long term benefits and harms of
these treatments will be discussed and mentioned in this presentation.

SURGICAL AND NON-SURGICAL TREATMENTS:

The various treatments include:

 Labiaplasty
 Vaginoplasty.
 Hymenoplasty.
 Clitoral hoodectomy.
 Labia majora augmentation.
 O-spot.
 G-spot amplification etc.
Surgical solutions involves the use of –

 Emerging numbers of energy based devices ( EBD) for vaginal procedures that utilize ablative or
thermal effects to sculpt the external vagina or to strengthen the aging vaginal walls.[4]
 Lasers.
 RF ( radiofrequency devices)
 HIFU (high- intensity focused ultrasound).
 LED (light emitting diodes).
 High intensity focused electromagnetic field.

The latest minimally invasive treatment using an FDA approved Co2 laser to treat common feminine
issues is ‘FEMILIFT’.

Issues which are generally solved by surgical interventions are:

1. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

2. Vaginal tightening.
3. Post menopause indications.
4. Post-delivery rehabilitation.
5. Vaginal dryness.
6. Recurring infections.

Non-surgical solutions involves use of:

 PRP (platelet rich plasma).

 Plasma gel.
 Hyaluronic acid fillers.

They are used to treat:

1. Improve appearance of pigmented vulva.[5]

2. Treatment of kraurosis and vulvovaginal atrophy.
3. Sclerotrophic lichen of vulva.
4. Augmentation of labia majora and minora.
5. Intimate contouring and G-spot amplification.
6. Dyspareunia treatment after episiotomy and perineotomy during labour.
7. Clitoral contouring.
8. Activation of female orgasm and female sexuality.
9. Treatment of sexual and organic dysfunction.

WHY DO WOMEN SEEK AESTHETIC GYNAECOLGY:

The functional reasons include labial hypertrophy and congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Other reasons are feeling of enlargemnt and looseness in vagina, desire to improve sexual functions,
discomfort when wearing clothes or doing fitness activities , increase sexual satisfaction of both.[6,7]
Some psychological reasons include the need to reduce embarrassment, poor self-esteem and anxiety
regarding appearance of external genitalia.
However, some concerning points are that there is still no evidence on long- term safety and efficacy is
inadequate in quality and quantity. [8,9,10]

Gynaecolgist should have sufficient training to recognize women with sexual dysfunction, psychotic
conditions like depression, anxiety and body dysmorphic disorder.

Also there is lack of standardized nomenclature and also there are potential complications of these
vaginal procedures like pain, bleeding, infection, scarring, adhesions, altered sensation, dyspareunia,
and need for reoperation.[11,12]

CONCLUSION:

Aesthetic gynaecology significantly affects the quality of women’s sexual life. The benefits and need for
aesthetic gynaecology procedures outweighs the concern for finding the potential long term-safety and
risks. However, more researches should be done to establish the standardized nomenclature and
protocol.

REFERENCES:

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current practices and a simplified classification system for labial protrusion. Plast Reconstr
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management. In: Hamori CA, Banwell PE, Alinsod R (eds). Female Cosmetic Genital Surgery
Concepts, Classification and Techniques. New York: Thieme Publishers. 2017; p.:14–7
4. Goodman MP, Placik OJ, Benson RH, Miklos JR, Moore RD, Jason RA, et al. A large multicenter
outcome study of female genital plastic surgery. J Sex Med. 2010;7:1565–77. [PubMed] 
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9. Alter GJ. A new thecnique for aesthetic labia minora reduction. Ann Plast Surg. 1998;40:287–
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resection. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2008;122:1780–9. [PubMed] 
11. Gungor M, Sır E, Celik D, Seyhan A, Yoleri L. Reconstruction of labium minus hypertrophy taking
into account anatomical differences. Turk J Plast Surg. 2011;19:70–3. 
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reduction of labioplasty) Plast Reconstr Surg. 2000;105:419–22. [PubMed]