Research Article
Women’s attitudes towards genital aesthetic surgery and the effects of social media: A qualitative study in the context of Türk Muslim women
Abstract
Aim: In the study, it was aimed to determine Türk Muslim women’s attitudes towards genital aesthetics procedures and investigate the effects of social media in this regard.
Methods: In the collection of the data, the semi-structured interview technique, which is a qualitative method, was used. The study was completed with 11 women. The collected data were analyzed using the qualitative content analysis method.
Results: As a result of the content analysis, 4 main themes and 10 subthemes were determined. The main themes were: (1) reasons for genital aesthetics procedures (childbirth-related problems, sexuality), (2) attitudes (the woman’s attitudes, society’s attitudes, beliefs), (3) obstacles and expectations (obstacles and expectations related to health service provision, scientific obstacles and expectations, privacy), and (4) social media (information, its effects on concerns).
Conclusion: In this study, it was determined that women associated genital aesthetics procedures with sexuality and childbirth, they though these procedures should be performed in line with women’s needs, their beliefs would not prevent them from having these procedures in case they needed them, they had economic and systemic expectations regarding the subject in the provision of health services, and they mentioned the positive effects of social media in informing women and reducing concerns. It is recommended that health service providers make attempts to create appropriate environments and opportunities through which women can easily access information about genital aesthetics procedures, they inquire about women’s sexuality while providing care, and they have adequate information about genital aesthetics procedures.
Project Number
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References
- Al-Jumah, M. M., Al-Wailiy, S. K., & Al-Badr, A. (2021). Satisfaction survey of women after cosmetic genital procedures: A cross-sectional study from Saudi Arabia. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, 3(1), 48).
- ASfAP, S. (2020). The aesthetic society’s cosmetic surgery national data bank: Statistics 2019. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 40, 1-26.
- Barbara, G., Facchin, F., Buggio, L., Alberico, D., Frattaruolo, M. P., & Kustermann, A. (2017). Vaginal rejuvenation: Current perspectives. International Journal of Women's Health 21(9), 513-519.
- Berman, L. A., Berman, J., Miles, M., Pollets, D., & Powell, J. A. (2003). Genital self-image as a component of sexual health: Relationship between genital self-image, female sexual function, and quality of life measures. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 29(sup1), 11-21.
- Bjornsson, A. S., Didie, E. R., & Phillips, K. A. (2010). Body dysmorphic disorder. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 12(2), 221-232.
- Bonell, S., Barlow, F. K., & Griffiths, S. (2021). The cosmetic surgery paradox: Toward a contemporary understanding of cosmetic surgery popularisation and attitudes. Body Image, 38, 230-240.
- Braun, V. (2009). The women are doing it for themselves’ the rhetoric of choice and agency around female genital ‘cosmetic surgery. Australian Feminist Studies, 24(60), 233-249.
- Çayirli, E. (2017). Sosyal medya kullanım özelliklerinin kişilik yapılanmaları, yaşam doyumu ve depresyon açısından incelenmesi [Master's thesis], Işık Üniversitesi, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü.
- Daşıkan, Z., Kıratlı, D., & Erdoğan, M. (2019). Kadınların genital görünüm memnuniyeti: Genital kozmetik cerrahi. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi, 16(4), 238-243.
- Davis, K. (2016). Revisiting feminist debates on cosmetic surgery: Some reflections on suffering, agency, and embodied difference. In Cosmetic Surgery (pp. 35-47). Routledge.
- Dogan, O., & Yassa, M. (2019). Major motivators and sociodemographic features of women undergoing labiaplasty. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 39(12), NP517-NP527.
- Eftekhar, T., Hajibabaei, M., Veisi, F., Ghanbari, Z., & Montazeri, A. (2021). Body image, sexual function, and sexual satisfaction among couples before and after gynecologic cosmetic surgery. Journal of Family & Reproductive Health, 15(4), 252.
- Erdogan, G. (2021). Female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS): Evaluation of YouTube videos. Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction, 50(4), 102102.
- Furnham, A., & Levitas, J. (2012). Factors that motivate people to undergo cosmetic surgery. Canadian Journal of Plastic Surgery, 20(4), 47-50.
- Graneheim, U. H., & Lundman, B. (2004). Qualitative content analysis in nursing research: Concepts, procedures and measures to achieve trustworthiness. Nurse Education Today, 24(2), 105-112.
- Hamdan, M., Mohd Anuar, R., Aminudin, H., Ar, N. N. H., & Faiz, M. (2021). The application of Maqasid-oriented approach in Islamic bioethics: A case study on fatwa related to cosmetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery. IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia, 20(1), 71-81.
- High Council of Religious Affairs. (2002). Religious provision on plastic surgery. Türk Presidency of Religious Affairs. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
- Hong, H. R., Kim, S. H., Kim, J. H., & Jang, Y. J. (2015). Aesthetic motivation of geriatric rhinoplasty the surgical outcome. Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 26(6), 1936-1939.
- Jordal, M., Griffin, G., & Sigurjonsson, H. (2019). ‘I want what every other woman has’: Reasons for wanting clitoral reconstructive surgery after female genital cutting–a qualitative study from Sweden. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 21(6), 701-716.
- Kadınlar Kulübü. (2023, February 3). Genital aesthetics. Erişim adresi: https://www.kadinlarkulubu.com/konu/esim-genital-bolgemi-begenmiyor-cok-sogudum.1344437/page-2#post-73566432
- Kalaaji, A., Dreyer, S., Maric, I., Schnegg, J., & Jönsson, V. (2019). Female cosmetic genital surgery: patient characteristics, motivation, and satisfaction. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 39(12), 1455-1466.
- Kallio, H., Pietilä, A. M., Johnson, M., & Kangasniemi, M. (2016). Systematic methodological review: Developing a framework for a qualitative semi‐structured interview guide. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 72(12), 2954-2965.
- Karasz, A., & Anderson, M. (2003). The vaginitis monologues: Women's experiences of vaginal complaints in a primary care setting. Social Science & Medicine, 56(5), 1013-1021.
- Malone, J. (2013). Women and genital cosmetic surgery. Women’s Health, 9, 3-38.
- McDougall, L. J. (2013). Towards a clean slit: How medicine and notions of normality are shaping female genital aesthetics. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 15(7), 774-787.
- Mellman, L. A. (2010). Understanding body dysmorphic disorder: An essential guide. Oxford Press.
- Mingoia, J., Hutchinson, A. D., Wilson, C., & Gleaves, D. H. (2017). The relationship between social networking site use and the internalization of a thin ideal in females: A meta-analytic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1351.
- Müllerová, J., & Weiss, P. (2020). Plastic surgery in gynaecology: factors affecting women’s decision to undergo labiaplasty. Mind the risk of body dysmorphic disorder: A review. Journal of Women & Aging, 32(3), 241-258.
- Mullinax, M., Herbenick, D., Schick, V., Sanders, S. A., & Reece, M. (2015). In their own words: A qualitative content analysis of women's and men's preferences for women's genitals. Sex Education, 15(4), 421-436.
- Ozbek, H., & Sumer, H. (2019). The effects of midwifery approach to the alleviative anxiety level of women coming pelvic examination. Cumhuriyet University Institute of Health Sciences Journal, 4, 45-54.
- Özer, M., Mortimore, I., Jansma, E. P., & Mullender, M. G. (2018). Labiaplasty: motivation, techniques, and ethics. Nature Reviews Urology, 15(3), 175-189.
- Reyhan, F. A., & Dağlı, E. (2022). A qualitative study on women's opinions and attitudes on cosmetic gynecology. Ankara Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 11(2), 188-197.
- Roen, K., Creighton, S. M., Hegarty, P., & Liao, L.-M. (2018). Vaginal construction and treatment Providers' experiences: A qualitative analysis. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 31(3), 247-251.
- Sargın, M., & Çiftçi, H. (2012). Kadını görmeyen aile ve sağlık politikaları. vajinal estetik operasyonlarının kadınlar için anlamı nedir. III. Kadın Hekimlik ve Kadın Sağliği Kongresi.
- Sasson, D. C., Hamori, C. A., & Placik, O. J. (2022). Labiaplasty: The stigma persists. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 42(6), 638-643.
- Sharp, G., Mattiske, J., & Vale, K. I. (2016). Motivations, expectations, and experiences of labiaplasty: A qualitative study. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 36(8), 920-928.
- Sherif, R. D., Lisiecki, J., & Gilman, R. H. (2021). Perception of risk among aesthetic plastic surgeons. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 41(9), NP1218-NP1224.
- Surgeons, A. S. O. P. (2020). 2020 Quick Facts Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Trend 2020. Erişim adresi: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/plastic-surgery-statistics
- Suveren, Y. (2022). Sağlık bilimlerinde nitel araştırmaların yeri ve önemi üzerine bir değerlendirme. Mersin Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Lokman Hekim Tıp Tarihi ve Folklorik Tıp Dergisi, 12(1), 39-48.
- Swami, V. (2009). Body appreciation, media influence, and weight status predict consideration of cosmetic surgery among female undergraduates. Body Image, 6(4), 315-317.
- TASfAP, S. (2012). Cosmetic surgery national data bank statistics. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 33(2), 1-21.
- Yağar, F., & Dökme, S. (2018). Planning of qualitative researches: Research questions, samples, validity and reliability. Gazi Journal of Health Sciences, 3(3), 1-9.
Kadınların genital estetiğe yönelik bakış açısı ve sosyal medyanın etkisi: Türk Müslüman kadınları özelinde nitel bir araştırma
Abstract
Amaç: Çalışmada genital estetiğe yönelik güncel veriler elde edilerek Türk Müslüman kadınların genital estetiğe karşı tutumlarını belirlemek ve sosyal medyanın etkisini araştırmak hedeflenmiştir.
Yöntem: Araştırma verilerinin toplanmasında nitel yöntem tekniklerinden biri olan yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme tekniği kullanılmıştır. Çalışma 11 kadınla tamamlandı. Toplanan veriler nitel içerik analizi yoluyla değerlendirildi.
Bulgular: Yapılan içerik analizinde 4 ana tema ve 10 alt tema belirlenmiştir. (1) yapılma nedenleri (doğum kaynaklı sorunlar, cinsellik), (2) tutumlar (kadının tutumu, toplumun tutumu, inançlar), (3) engeller ve beklentiler (sağlık hizmeti sunumuna yönelik engeller ve beklentiler, bilimsel engeller ve beklentiler, mahremiyet), (4) Sosyal medya (bilgilendirme, kaygıya etkisi).
Sonuçlar: Çalışmada kadınların genital estetiği cinsellik ve doğumla ilişkilendirdiği, ihtiyaç doğrultusunda yapılması gerektiğini, inançlarının ihtiyaç durumunda buna engel olmadığını, sağlık hizmeti sunumunda konuya yönelik ekonomik ve sistemsel beklentilerinin olduğu, sosyal medyanın bilgilendirme ve kaygıyı azaltmada olumlu etkisinden bahsettikleri belirlendi. Sağlık hizmeti sunucularının, kadınların genital estetik ile ilgili bilgiye rahat ulaşabilecekleri uygun ortam ve imkanın sağlanması için girişimlerde bulunması, sağlık çalışanlarının bakım verirken, kadınların cinselliklerini sorgulamaları, genital estetik ile ilgili yeterli bilgiye sahip olmaları, kadınları doğru yönlendirme ve bilgilendirme açısından önemli olduğundan önerilebilir.
Ethical Statement
The study was conducted in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The participants were informed about the study, and their informed consents were taken. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from Fırat University Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Decision no: 2022/03-37).
Supporting Institution
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Project Number
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Thanks
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References
- Al-Jumah, M. M., Al-Wailiy, S. K., & Al-Badr, A. (2021). Satisfaction survey of women after cosmetic genital procedures: A cross-sectional study from Saudi Arabia. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, 3(1), 48).
- ASfAP, S. (2020). The aesthetic society’s cosmetic surgery national data bank: Statistics 2019. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 40, 1-26.
- Barbara, G., Facchin, F., Buggio, L., Alberico, D., Frattaruolo, M. P., & Kustermann, A. (2017). Vaginal rejuvenation: Current perspectives. International Journal of Women's Health 21(9), 513-519.
- Berman, L. A., Berman, J., Miles, M., Pollets, D., & Powell, J. A. (2003). Genital self-image as a component of sexual health: Relationship between genital self-image, female sexual function, and quality of life measures. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 29(sup1), 11-21.
- Bjornsson, A. S., Didie, E. R., & Phillips, K. A. (2010). Body dysmorphic disorder. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 12(2), 221-232.
- Bonell, S., Barlow, F. K., & Griffiths, S. (2021). The cosmetic surgery paradox: Toward a contemporary understanding of cosmetic surgery popularisation and attitudes. Body Image, 38, 230-240.
- Braun, V. (2009). The women are doing it for themselves’ the rhetoric of choice and agency around female genital ‘cosmetic surgery. Australian Feminist Studies, 24(60), 233-249.
- Çayirli, E. (2017). Sosyal medya kullanım özelliklerinin kişilik yapılanmaları, yaşam doyumu ve depresyon açısından incelenmesi [Master's thesis], Işık Üniversitesi, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü.
- Daşıkan, Z., Kıratlı, D., & Erdoğan, M. (2019). Kadınların genital görünüm memnuniyeti: Genital kozmetik cerrahi. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi, 16(4), 238-243.
- Davis, K. (2016). Revisiting feminist debates on cosmetic surgery: Some reflections on suffering, agency, and embodied difference. In Cosmetic Surgery (pp. 35-47). Routledge.
- Dogan, O., & Yassa, M. (2019). Major motivators and sociodemographic features of women undergoing labiaplasty. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 39(12), NP517-NP527.
- Eftekhar, T., Hajibabaei, M., Veisi, F., Ghanbari, Z., & Montazeri, A. (2021). Body image, sexual function, and sexual satisfaction among couples before and after gynecologic cosmetic surgery. Journal of Family & Reproductive Health, 15(4), 252.
- Erdogan, G. (2021). Female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS): Evaluation of YouTube videos. Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction, 50(4), 102102.
- Furnham, A., & Levitas, J. (2012). Factors that motivate people to undergo cosmetic surgery. Canadian Journal of Plastic Surgery, 20(4), 47-50.
- Graneheim, U. H., & Lundman, B. (2004). Qualitative content analysis in nursing research: Concepts, procedures and measures to achieve trustworthiness. Nurse Education Today, 24(2), 105-112.
- Hamdan, M., Mohd Anuar, R., Aminudin, H., Ar, N. N. H., & Faiz, M. (2021). The application of Maqasid-oriented approach in Islamic bioethics: A case study on fatwa related to cosmetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery. IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia, 20(1), 71-81.
- High Council of Religious Affairs. (2002). Religious provision on plastic surgery. Türk Presidency of Religious Affairs. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
- Hong, H. R., Kim, S. H., Kim, J. H., & Jang, Y. J. (2015). Aesthetic motivation of geriatric rhinoplasty the surgical outcome. Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 26(6), 1936-1939.
- Jordal, M., Griffin, G., & Sigurjonsson, H. (2019). ‘I want what every other woman has’: Reasons for wanting clitoral reconstructive surgery after female genital cutting–a qualitative study from Sweden. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 21(6), 701-716.
- Kadınlar Kulübü. (2023, February 3). Genital aesthetics. Erişim adresi: https://www.kadinlarkulubu.com/konu/esim-genital-bolgemi-begenmiyor-cok-sogudum.1344437/page-2#post-73566432
- Kalaaji, A., Dreyer, S., Maric, I., Schnegg, J., & Jönsson, V. (2019). Female cosmetic genital surgery: patient characteristics, motivation, and satisfaction. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 39(12), 1455-1466.
- Kallio, H., Pietilä, A. M., Johnson, M., & Kangasniemi, M. (2016). Systematic methodological review: Developing a framework for a qualitative semi‐structured interview guide. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 72(12), 2954-2965.
- Karasz, A., & Anderson, M. (2003). The vaginitis monologues: Women's experiences of vaginal complaints in a primary care setting. Social Science & Medicine, 56(5), 1013-1021.
- Malone, J. (2013). Women and genital cosmetic surgery. Women’s Health, 9, 3-38.
- McDougall, L. J. (2013). Towards a clean slit: How medicine and notions of normality are shaping female genital aesthetics. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 15(7), 774-787.
- Mellman, L. A. (2010). Understanding body dysmorphic disorder: An essential guide. Oxford Press.
- Mingoia, J., Hutchinson, A. D., Wilson, C., & Gleaves, D. H. (2017). The relationship between social networking site use and the internalization of a thin ideal in females: A meta-analytic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1351.
- Müllerová, J., & Weiss, P. (2020). Plastic surgery in gynaecology: factors affecting women’s decision to undergo labiaplasty. Mind the risk of body dysmorphic disorder: A review. Journal of Women & Aging, 32(3), 241-258.
- Mullinax, M., Herbenick, D., Schick, V., Sanders, S. A., & Reece, M. (2015). In their own words: A qualitative content analysis of women's and men's preferences for women's genitals. Sex Education, 15(4), 421-436.
- Ozbek, H., & Sumer, H. (2019). The effects of midwifery approach to the alleviative anxiety level of women coming pelvic examination. Cumhuriyet University Institute of Health Sciences Journal, 4, 45-54.
- Özer, M., Mortimore, I., Jansma, E. P., & Mullender, M. G. (2018). Labiaplasty: motivation, techniques, and ethics. Nature Reviews Urology, 15(3), 175-189.
- Reyhan, F. A., & Dağlı, E. (2022). A qualitative study on women's opinions and attitudes on cosmetic gynecology. Ankara Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 11(2), 188-197.
- Roen, K., Creighton, S. M., Hegarty, P., & Liao, L.-M. (2018). Vaginal construction and treatment Providers' experiences: A qualitative analysis. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 31(3), 247-251.
- Sargın, M., & Çiftçi, H. (2012). Kadını görmeyen aile ve sağlık politikaları. vajinal estetik operasyonlarının kadınlar için anlamı nedir. III. Kadın Hekimlik ve Kadın Sağliği Kongresi.
- Sasson, D. C., Hamori, C. A., & Placik, O. J. (2022). Labiaplasty: The stigma persists. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 42(6), 638-643.
- Sharp, G., Mattiske, J., & Vale, K. I. (2016). Motivations, expectations, and experiences of labiaplasty: A qualitative study. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 36(8), 920-928.
- Sherif, R. D., Lisiecki, J., & Gilman, R. H. (2021). Perception of risk among aesthetic plastic surgeons. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 41(9), NP1218-NP1224.
- Surgeons, A. S. O. P. (2020). 2020 Quick Facts Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Trend 2020. Erişim adresi: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/plastic-surgery-statistics
- Suveren, Y. (2022). Sağlık bilimlerinde nitel araştırmaların yeri ve önemi üzerine bir değerlendirme. Mersin Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Lokman Hekim Tıp Tarihi ve Folklorik Tıp Dergisi, 12(1), 39-48.
- Swami, V. (2009). Body appreciation, media influence, and weight status predict consideration of cosmetic surgery among female undergraduates. Body Image, 6(4), 315-317.
- TASfAP, S. (2012). Cosmetic surgery national data bank statistics. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 33(2), 1-21.
- Yağar, F., & Dökme, S. (2018). Planning of qualitative researches: Research questions, samples, validity and reliability. Gazi Journal of Health Sciences, 3(3), 1-9.
There are 42 citations in total.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Midwifery (Other) |
| Journal Section | Research Articles |
| Authors | |
| Project Number | - |
| Publication Date | April 30, 2024 |
| Submission Date | November 1, 2023 |
| Acceptance Date | April 7, 2024 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2024 Volume: 5 Issue: 1 |
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