Female genital self-image
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Female genital self-image
IRAS ID
199657
Contact name
Julia Bailey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UCL
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
UCL Data Protection Registration, No Z6364106/2016/05/13 health research
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Healthcare professionals have reported increased numbers of women expressing dissatisfaction or seeking help in distress with their genitals. These concerns can be focused on various characteristics including appearance, smell, or how they feel to the touch. There is increasing demand for female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS). The impact and experience of this dissatisfaction and distress are not fully understood. More exploration of the thoughts and feelings around day-to-day practices like shaving or vaginal douching with household cleaning products are needed. These practices can have unintended side effects that require treatment. There is limited information available on the way that professionals address concerns about genital self-image and the effect of encounters with professionals on genital self-image.
The aim of this research is to explore women's perceptions and experiences of their own genitals as well as any modification or hygiene practices they use and any experiences of help seeking. It will also explore professionals' experience of encountering women who are distressed or dissatisfied by their genitals.
There are two study groups: women and professionals. Participants will be recruited in person, via online advertisements and word of mouth. Participants will be invited to a qualitative interview or focus group. Female participants will be aged 16 and over. Professionals are experts of varied disciplines (for example doctors, counsellors, beauty therapists) who have insights and experience regarding female genital self-image by virtue of their professional practice.
The findings will be published in the PhD thesis, academic journals, websites and presentations and used in staff training and patient information resources. The research is funded by an NIHR PhD studentship.
REC name
Social Care REC
REC reference
16/IEC08/0031
Date of REC Opinion
19 Sep 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion