A leading London gynaecologist has warned that girls and young women are being lured into having damaging “designer vagina” surgery by advertising which falsely claims it will improve their sex lives.
Professor Sarah Creighton, a consultant at University College Hospital, said there was no medical evidence that such operations were beneficial.
She called for action to stop clinics enticing women into potentially harmful treatment.
Her remarks will fuel the debate about cosmetic genital surgery following a call by MPs for the Government to consider banning it for under-18s. Home Secretary Theresa May responded by warning that the surgery could already be illegal under legislation outlawing female genital mutilation.
She said the operations were lawful only if there was a genuine physical or mental health reason to perform cosmetic genital surgery.
Professor Creighton said, despite this, “designer vagina” adverts were continuing to make extravagant and unjustified claims about the supposed benefits of operations to reduce the size of the labia or tighten the vagina.
The cost of such operations varies, but can start at around £3,500.
One online advert claims women who have labia reduction at a London clinic can expect “an enhanced sex life due to increased experience of sexual pleasure”. Another clinic says: “Become tighter … down there and elevate your sexual pleasure to new heights!”
Professor Creighton, a member of the Royal College of Gynaecologists’ ethics committee, said: “Women have to be very careful … [adverts] often don’t give information about the risks of what is irreversible surgery.
“Claims that cosmetic genital surgery improves sexual satisfaction and body confidence are not supported by any medical evidence.”
Her comments follow a study published in the British Medical Journal about online adverts for “designer vagina” surgery. It concluded “unsubstantiated claims of physical, psychological and sexual benefits were present on every website”.
