Abstract
Objective The present study aimed to explore the opinion and ethical consideration of vulvovaginal
aesthetics procedures (VVAPs) among health professionals and medical students in Saudi
Arabia.
Methods This is a cross-sectional study performed between January 2020 and April 2020. Data
was collected through electronic media, WhatsApp, and emails. The results were analyzed
by applying the Students t-test, and correlations were considered significant if they
presented a p-value < 0.05.
Results There is significant demand to educate doctors, health professionals, medical students,
and gynecologists for the VVAPs to have a solid foundation, justified indications,
and knowledge about various aesthetic options. Although female doctors, medical students,
young doctors, and gynecologists have more knowledge about VVAPs, all health professionals
ought to be aware of recent trends in vulvovaginal aesthetics (VVA). The present analysis
determined that VVA should be under the domain of gynecologists, rather than under
that of plastic surgeons, general surgeons, and cosmetologists. The majority of the
participants considered that vaginal rejuvenation, “G-spot” augmentation, clitoral
surgery, and hymenoplasty are not justifiable on medical grounds.
Conclusion The decision to opt for different techniques for vaginal tightening and revitalization
should be taken very carefully, utilizing the shared decision-making approach. Ethical
aspects and moral considerations are important key factors before embarking in the
VVAPs purely for cosmetic reasons. Further research is required to determine the sexual,
psychological, and body image outcomes for women who underwent elective VVAPs. Moreover,
medical educators must consider VVAPs as part of the undergraduate and postgraduate
medical curriculum.
Keywords
vulvovaginal cosmetic procedures - vulvovaginal aesthetics procedures - awareness
about aesthetic surgery among health professionals - aesthetic gynecology - sexual
and reproductive health
