Background
Women
considering female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS) are likely to use the
internet as a key source of information during the decision-making process. The
aim of this systematic review was to determine what is known about the role of
the internet in the promotion and normalisation of female genital cosmetic
surgery and to identify areas for future research.
Methods
Eight
social science, medical, and communication databases and Google Scholar were
searched for peer-reviewed papers published in English. Results from all papers
were analysed to identify recurring and unique themes.
Results
Five
papers met inclusion criteria. Three of the papers reported investigations of
website content of FGCS providers, a fourth compared motivations for
labiaplasty publicised on provider websites with those disclosed by women in
online communities, and the fifth analysed visual depictions of female
genitalia in online pornography. Analysis yielded five significant and
interrelated patterns of representation, each functioning to promote and
normalise the practice of FGCS: pathologisation of genital diversity; female genital appearance as
important to wellbeing; characteristics of women’s genitals are important for
sex life; female body as degenerative and improvable through surgery;and FGCS as safe, easy, and
effective. A significant
gap was identified in the literature: the ways in which user-generated content
might function to perpetuate, challenge, or subvert the normative discourses
prevalent in online pornography and surgical websites.
Conclusions
Further
research is needed to contribute to knowledge of the role played by the
internet in the promotion and normalisation of female genital cosmetic surgery.
Full article at:
1Jean Hailes Research Unit, Monash
University, Melbourne, Australia
2Institute for Advanced Studies in the
Humanities, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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