Viewing images of vulva diversity could strengthen women’s genital self-image

Looking at pictures of natural vulvas in a range of shapes and sizes could help improve women’s satisfaction with their own genitalia, even those with a relatively positive genital self-image, according to new research published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Research has shown that women’s perception of what is normal and desirable is strongly in uenced by digitally and surgically modi ed images of female genitalia in the media, pornography, and fashion. Women’s desire to conform to this ‘norm’ is a possible reason behind the rise in demand for labiaplasty (reshaping the labia or lips) in the Western world.

In the UK more than 2,000 labiaplasties were performed on the National Health Service (NHS) in 2013, ve times more than in 2008.

In this study, researchers from the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands looked at whether exposure to images depicting a variety of natural vulvas might in uence women’s genital self-image. 43 female Dutch students (average age 23) were assigned to view either a series of photographs showing natural vulvas, or a series of neutral pictures of art, nature, animals, and architecture. Women rated their genital self-image before and a er viewing the images and two weeks later. At the start of the study, almost two-thirds of participants reported feeling positive about their genitals.

Results showed that looking at images of natural vulvas substantially improved women’s genital self-image, regardless of their degree of sexual function, sexual distress, self-esteem, and anxiety. This was true for both women who felt negatively about their genital appearance and those with a relatively positive self-image at the start of the study. The bene cial e ect was still present a er two weeks. In contrast, women who viewed neutral images reported no change in their genital self-image.