Research into Adolescent Vulval Appearance

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Research into Adolescent Vulval Appearance

• IRAS ID

  192526

• Contact name

  Gail Busby

• Contact email

  gail.busby@cmft.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Central Manchester NHS Foundation Trust

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 9 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  At present there are no studies which have given quantitative data on normal labial dimensions in adolescence. Sarah Creighton et al published a study in BJOG May 2005 which was performed in adults. The vulva and vagina of 50 women were photographed and measured whilst they were in theatre for other gynaecological conditions. The study concluded that women vary widely in genital dimensions.

  We would like to reproduce a similar study as Creighton but adapted for the adolescent population.

  Concerns regarding labial appearance is an increasingly common consultation in the adolescent gynaecology clinic. Almost consistently the young women have concerns regarding their labia and on examination there is no abnormality to be found. This is thought to be due to the normal developmental process (labia minora developing quicker than the labia majora), unrealistic expectations of normal labial appearance (thought to be due to the unrealistic portrayal in the media) and an increasing trend of shaving pubic hair. The consultations require tactful, honest and compassionate counselling as well as a full explanation on the joint RCOG /BritSPAG statement, which advises that surgery is inappropriate under the age of 18.

  If there were data available in the adolescent setting it would aid the labial appearance consultation greatly, aiding the doctor with some figures to back up the information given.

  We propose to measure the length and width of adoloescent's labia minora and length of their labia majora and analyse this data to give us information to use in the counselling of girls attending with concerns over their vulval appearance.

  On statistical advice we will aim for 50 participants.

  Results Summary:
  We could only recruit 5 patients. Due to subsequent covid and change in clinic , further data collection and continuation of reasearch wasnt possible. So with only 5 patients out of planned 40, developing a report is not feasible. Thus the study had to be prematurely abandoned and closed

• REC name

  North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  17/NW/0161

• Date of REC Opinion

  10 Mar 2017

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion