The role of sexual partner in women’s seeking for labiaplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Abstract Background The primary reasons for labiaplasty usually revolve around aesthetic, sexual, and functional concerns. Upon delving deeper into these issues, it becomes apparent that sexual partners play a controversial role in influencing women’s decisions to undergo surgery. Aim This study aimed to investigate the impact of sexual partners on women’s choices to pursue labiaplasty. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted across electronic databases covering the period from January 2000 to February 2024. After removing duplicates, a total of 931 articles were retrieved by searching keywords in titles and abstracts. Outcomes The meta-analysis revealed that 36.7% of women who sought labiaplasty cited their partners’ negative comments as a factor influencing their decision. Results After applying the eligibility criteria and excluding irrelevant articles, a total of 12 articles involving 962 participants were included in the analysis. With the exception of 2 articles, the majority of the studies suggested a discernible influence of male partners on women’s decisions to seek labiaplasty. Frequently, sexual partners are not the primary decision makers, nor do they exert significant pressure when it comes to seeking labiaplasty. In certain instances, women seeking labiaplasty acknowledged that their sexual partners did influence their decisions, either by making disparaging comments about their genitalia or by directly pressuring or requesting them to undergo labiaplasty. Additionally, women might opt for labiaplasty out of fear of their partner’s negative remarks or to enhance sexual pleasure for their partners. For a more accurate result, a meta-analysis was conducted noting a considerable heterogeneity. Clinical Implications The findings of this study can be applied in prelabiaplasty counseling sessions to acknowledge and explore the role of the sexual partner in women’s decision making. Strengths and Limitations This study stands as the inaugural systematic review examining the impact of sexual partners on women seeking labiaplasty, encompassing all original studies exploring the role of the sexual partner. However, a notable limitation lies in the varied interpretations of the sexual partner’s role, that the heterogeneous nature of these interpretations poses a challenge to providing a more precise answer through meta-analysis. Conclusion Based on the findings of this systematic review, it is evident that sexual partners exert multifaceted influences on women’s decisions to seek labiaplasty. While not serving as the primary decision makers, women opt for labiaplasty with the aim of enhancing attractiveness in sexual relationships and mitigating potential negative comments from their partners.