Female Cosmetic Genital Surgery: Social and Ethical Considerations

In recent years, there has been an upsurge in plastic surgery for women who wish to alter the look and feel of their genitalia. The women who undergo these procedures claim they are empowering, but critics worry such surgeries pathologize normal genital appearance. Several surgeons are also using social media to document these surgeries, granting them greater visibility and legitimacy. This talk will discuss the latest innovations in female cosmetic genital surgery, the history behind the medical community’s involvement in defining women’s sexuality, and the ethical and social challenges these surgeries present.
Devan Stahl, PhD
Assistant Professor
Center for Ethics and Humanities in the Life Sciences
Department of Pediatrics and Human Development
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Recorded March 13, 2019