Motivational Factors of Women Seeking Labiaplasty and Body Dysmorphic Disorder Risk: A Review

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the childbearing. Background: Until recently very little was known about women’s reasons for undergoing labiaplasty. Cosmetic treatment is often solution for individuals with unrecognized Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a relatively common psychiatric disorder that occurs around the world and often goes unrecognized in plastic surgery setting. Objectives: The present review examines actual knowledge of motivational factors of women seeking labiaplasty and BDD, what is known about motivational factors of women underwent labiaplasty and about BDD in plastic surgery setting, approach to the patients seeking labiaplasty and screening for BDD in a gynaecologic cosmetic surgery field. Methods: Data sources and searches: We carried out a systematic electronic search in Medline, Web of Science and PubMed. We used a combination of relevant keywords to construct the search strategy including cosmetic surgery in gynaecology, female genital cosmetic surgery, labiaplasty, motivational factors of women seeking labiaplasty, body dysmorphic disorder, screening tools for body dysmorphic disorder, diagnosing BDD. Included studies were systematic reviews or primary studies of participants requesting cosmetic procedure labiaplasty; published 1990-2016; containing either information about BDD and psychological or psychosocial measures and psychological outcome. There were retrieved total of 50 papers and 20 of them published in last ten years were used for describing motivational factors and BDD risk. Reviewers independently assessed study eligibility, extracted data, and assessed quality, undertaking narrative synthesis. Results: The recent researches revealed why women consider undergoing labia reduction surgery. Researchers categorized them as cosmetic, functional, psychological and sexual. It was also confirmed that media is a powerful motivator and source of information about genital appearance and strong influence on women’s decision to undergo labiaplasty. However, some women seeking labiaplasty may have Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). BDD is a psychiatric disorder that needs appropriate psychiatric treatment and patients with BDD need suitable therapeutic interventions like psychological counselling or special psychiatric treatment. The disorder is giving the markedly poor functioning and quality of life. It also could relate to high lifetime rates of psychiatric hospitalization, being housebound or suicide attempts. Cosmetic treatment is not solution for individuals with unrecognized BDD because after surgery patients are often dissatisfied and continue to obsess about their perceived flaws. Guidelines recommend screening patients for BDD prior to cosmetic surgery. Conclusions: Motivational factors of women seeking labiaplasty are various. Some patients may have Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Psychological evaluation of patients with BDD is not standard in clinical plastic surgery nowadays. BDD needs to be identified before surgery in patients who are seeking cosmetic corrections and it is necessary to identify those who may require further psychological assessment. There is a grooming consensus that BDD should be considered as a contraindication for cosmetic treatments. Clinicians should use a multidisciplinary approach in management, including cooperation among specialists in dermatology, psychiatry, cosmetic surgery, family practice and other specialties.