Verified Document

Genital Surgery When Asked About Thesis

Genital Surgery

When asked about the effects of genital surgery on sexuality and body image, Dr. Freistag responded, "I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, these are people who are genuinely concerned about their sexual health and freedom. On the other hand, there are clients who base their self-esteem on approval of their sexual partners. I want clients to enjoy their sexual experiences but do not intend to alter the genitals of those who might regret it later on."

Genital surgery is not reserved for individuals needing gender reassignment. Gender reassignment is a valid means by which to transform the external human body, and is little different from breast augmentation. However, labiaplasty has become increasingly common among female plastic surgery clients. Labiaplasty sometimes entails shrinking the vaginal lips, but in many cases involves labia enhancement. Fitzpatrick (2008) describes a disturbing new trend among teenage girls who are dissatisfied with their labia even before they have gotten to know what sexuality means and how their own body responds to sexual stimulation. Psychological and social problems aside, "women may experience scarring, chronic pain, obstetric risks or reduced sexual pleasure," (Fitzpatrick 2008).

Plastic surgeons refer to the practice of genital surgery for women as Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery (FGCS). However disruptive to sexual self-esteem needless genital surgery may be, the procedures can enormously benefit those who suffered from involuntary genital mutilation. A Reuters press report details the experiences of women from Burkina Faso whose tribal traditions condoned genital mutilation. Far from the mainly benign effects of male circumcision, female genital mutilation can completely diminish the pleasure of sex to the point where intimate encounters may be thoroughly "painful," (Schwarz 2007). Genital mutilation is a form of surgery that diminishes pleasure, and the reconstructive version can help victims regain their interest in sex and renew appreciation for their bodies.

References

Fitzpatrick, L. (2008). Plastic Surgery Below the Belt. Time. Retrieved Feb 25, 2009 at http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1859937,00.html

Freistag, A. Interview data.

Labiaplasty." Retrieved Feb 25, 2009 at http://www.labiaplastysurgeon.com/

Schwarz, N. (2007). BURKINA FASO: Genital Surgery Helps Burkina's Mutilated Women. The Female Genital Cutting Education and Networking Project. Retrieved Feb 25, 2009 at http://fgmnetwork.org/news/show_news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1187811902&archive=&template

Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Pedophilia
Words: 10745 Length: 30 Document Type: Term Paper

It will focus discovering the treatment option, or combination of options that results in the lowest incidence of recidivism for the longest period following the treatment. It is difficult to predict future events, therefore the research will take a historical perspective on the problem. This study will compare recidivism rates for the four most common treatments used for pedophile offenders. It will only consider treatment for those that were convicted

Ectopic Pregnancy: Etiology, Modern Diagnosis
Words: 5051 Length: 18 Document Type: Thesis

Initial tests may be culdocentesis, hematocrit, a pregnancy test, a qualitative HCG blood test, a transvaginal ultrasound or pregnancy ultrasound and a white blood count test. An ectopic pregnancy can be distinguished from a normal intrauterine pregnancy through a rise in quantitative HCG levels. Declining B-hCG levels is indicative of an ectopic pregnancy (Kulp & Barnhart 2008). AD & C, laparoscopy and laparotomy tests will confirm the diagnosis (Chen). An

Personal Social Status and Culture
Words: 1966 Length: 7 Document Type: Essay

Personal Social Status Social status can be defined as the reference, prestige, or honor ascribed to an individual's personality or position in society. It could be attained by virtue of family or racial background; or through innate ability or life achievements. Some other factors that determine one's social status include gender, occupation, religion, lifestyle, and education. While culture is usually defined as a way of life of a group of people within

Microorganisms Are Very Tiny Living
Words: 1780 Length: 5 Document Type: Essay

The programs were not implemented scientifically and the information provided was not accurate. But school authorities commented that they can only do so much and need parents' assistance through the value system set at home (Peterson). Incidence in Riverview, Florida Anal cancer is highest among men having sex with men at 35 in every 100,000 of them in this locality (Health Communities 2010). The rate is lower among 100,000 heterosexual men.

Female Sexuality Issues in Women With Spinal Cord Injury Chronic...
Words: 4272 Length: 14 Document Type: Term Paper

Sexual health is not restricted to the mere physical -- genital function. Sexuality comprises different facets. At the basic, instinctual level, it is the feeling of maleness or femaleness; and, how this sexuality and personality impacts and is impacted by society. (Sipski, Alexander, & Rosen, 1996) Finally, it includes such things as the right to be a sexual person following neurological injury, the opportunity to have knowledge about sexual changes

Human Biological Variation: Is Human
Words: 2690 Length: 10 Document Type: Term Paper

Another psychological approach studied the physical basis for emotion. LeDoux (1995, p. 209+) noted, "Scientists concerned with human nature have not been able to reach a consensus about what emotion is and what place emotion should have in a theory of mind and behavior." He proposed, however, that "findings about the neural basis of emotion might also suggest new insights into the functional organization of emotion that were not apparent

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now