The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee on Adolescent Health Care just released guidelines on labiaplasty for teen girls—and unfortunately, it seems this information is more necessary now than ever.
According to ACOG's guidelines, doctors are being asked about labiaplasties from their teen patients more often. Why? "This age group may be under particular stress regarding these issues because of societal conceptions of the ideal female body and parental concerns for body perfection," the guidelines explain.
The new guidelines aren't the only information from the medical community to indicate that interest in labiaplasties has increased. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) reported a 44 percent increase in labiaplasties between 2013 and 2014, and the number of surgeons offering the procedure increased from 23 percent to 29 percent. ASAPS told The New York Times that they've especially seen an increase among younger women, with 400 girls 18 and under getting labiaplasty in 2015—an 80 percent increase over the 222 who did in 2014.
Plastic surgeon Richard Swift, M.D., who said he's seen an increase in requests for labiaplasty in recent years, blames the "yoga effect": As tight clothing becomes more common in everyday settings, women are feeling increasing pressure to eliminate camel toe. He said he even gets requests for labiaplasties in preparation for events. "There is insurmountable pressure on young women to be perfect, down to their vaginas," he explained. ACOG's report also blames the ideal we see in the media, along with growing awareness of vaginal surgery and increased attention to what the vagina looks like as removing pubic hair becomes more popular.
According to ACOG's guidelines, doctors should inform patients who ask them about labiaplasty that variation in the appearance of the vagina is normal (especially during puberty, when some body parts may grow faster than others) and explore solutions to their negative self-image other than surgery. They should also screen them for body dysmorphic disorder and make sure they're physically and emotionally mature before they refer them to a surgeon.
The guidelines also clarify that it's normally for the inner labia to increase in size during puberty, to be asymmetrical, and to differ from what you see in porn. And, while it sounds obvious to an adult, it may not hit home for teens until they hear it from their doctor.
