Protesting Unstudied and Unregulated Genital Cosmetic Surgeries

Female genital cosmetic surgeries are suddenly big business, promoted by doctors who see a lucrative cash business and sought out by women who think that their genitals are unattractive.  The only images of female genitals in our culture are those in pornographic media; thus their invisibility forces women to rely on images of genitals that have been surgically cut or digitally reduced.  Hence, women are unaware of the wide range of normal of the appearance of female genitalia.      For release November 10, 2008 http://www.newviewcampaign.org/fgcs.asp   Research and Monitoring Needed for Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery- NYC protest set for November 17, 2008, 12-2PM   New View Campaign demands Government and Medical Associations Examine Effects of Unregulated Surgical Procedures on Vagina and Labia marketed as “Laser Vaginal   Rejuvenation, Designer Vaginoplasty, G-Spot Amplification, Revirgination, or Cosmetic Labiaplasty”   New York, NY_ Uncritical publicity about a new, unregulated, unmonitored, and untested genital cosmetic surgery industry has left the public dangerously misinformed, says the New View Campaign, a group opposed to the medicalization of women’s sexuality. Women assume that the new surgeries are safe and effective at their peril. “Surgeons make unsubstantiated claims about their procedures. Genital cosmetic surgery franchising spreads misinformation. Professional organizations, the FTC and the FDA are failing to protect women from harm. Before-and-after photos on clinic websites depict procedures that would be labeled „female genital mutilation‟ in other parts of the world,” says group spokesperson Leonore Tiefer, Ph.D. a New York psychologist. “In September, 2007, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology issued a statement claiming „it is deceptive to give the impression that [these procedures] are accepted and routine‟ and that „their safety and effectiveness have not been documented‟ yet the advertising and franchising of these procedures has increased. We demand that the FTC limit the advertising activities of these cowboy surgeons until independent research assures consumers that their genital health is not being endangered.” On November 17 the New View Campaign will stage a protest outside a NYC cosmetic genital surgeon‟s office from 12-2PM. The specific location will be posted on http://newviewcampaign.org on November 16. The group demands new regulations requiring that women requesting these procedures receive adequate information about possible scarring, chronic pain, obstetric risks, loss of genital sensation, reduced erotic pleasure, and post-operative anxieties. It also calls for independent post-procedure research to determine the extent of these adverse reactions.   Education must be a larger part of the informed consent procedures for these surgeries, says Dr. Tiefer and other group members. “Following centuries of sexual misinformation and misogynist genital disgust, women requesting clitoral and labia reduction surgeries need accurate information about the wide range of normal genital configurations and measurements. Women inquiring about “G-Shots” must be told of the scientific controversy surrounding the purported existence of the G-Spot as well as informed of potential dangers.”   For further information contact: Leonore Tiefer, PhD; Clin Assoc Prof., NYU School of Med 212-533-2774 Leonore.Tiefer@NYUMC.org Lisa Rubin, PhD; Asst Prof Psych, New School for Social Rsch 212-229-5727x3104 rubinl@newschool.edu Rachel Liebert, MA, PhD student, CUNY Grad Ctr, rachel.liebert@gmail.com, 917 882 7384. Michelle Leve, MA Program in Psychology, New School, michelle.leve@gmail.com, 646-522-0816 Rebecca Chalker, Adjunct Prof Gender Studies Pace University 212-722-3536 beckychalker@gmail.com Nicola Gavey, PhD; Assoc Prof, Univ Auckland, NZ n.gavey@auckland.ac.nz 347 862 8439 (til 11/27/08)