I have a 16 year old daughter who suffers significant discomfort and embarassment about her labia and has been offered labiaplasty on the NHS. What information is available on the long term success of this operation on this age group? I have concerns about possible nerve damage etc as she continues to develope over the next few years. Trying to find a good source of information to persuade her to wait and where to go when the time comes to ensure a good outcome.
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I have to say I'm massively with you on this one. Unless she has a medically diagnosed condition affecting her ability to function (and no, I don't consider cosmetic surgery - which this is - to be generally impelled by a medical condition), then firstly, as you say, she's still growing, and if there are no other factors involved, you're declining the offer until she reaches 18 and has the right to pursue it regardless of (but hopefully not ignoring entirely) your opinion may give her time to adjust to adult life.
If you, as her mother, have a trusting relationship with her and have had the opportunity to view her private parts, and formed your own opinion on the matter, then I'd say go with that. If in your mind, you're wondering why God or nature cruelly gave your daughter deformed parts, then yes, it sounds like an operation - still with the provisos you mention - might be appropriate. If you look at it and think 'it's just a vagina', then the real issue would seem to be one of confidence, and wisdom.
She can not, we might hope, be either very - if at all - sexually experienced, have any practical or significant feedback over a lifetime, as you have, of what is reasonable and normal, and may - we presume - have all the anxieties and uncertainties of any growing teen on this and other issues. I had no idea until coming to this site that such an operation existed, and I find it extremely disturbing just how far women and young girls will go to mutilate their bodies in the name of 'beauty'. Look at Michael Jackson and how he ended up for an object lession in confusing a highly profitable and lucrative 'beauty' industry with nature, health, and joy.
So I strongly support your position, even though it may be for different reasons. And for want of a more delicate way of putting it, no man who forms a strong attachment to your daughter is going to be marking a score card for aesthetics.
There are other aspects to consider, which we as adults cand discuss, such as the fact that the labia, especially inner labia (the 'petals') rather than the outer ('mons') have an important function in carrying and maintaining lubrication. The world has already gone 'shaving crazy' for aesthetics, without appreciating the similar and complementary role of pubic hair.
Comfort and fulfilment during sex - as has just been blatantly raised in another post, via damage to the vagina during sex - rely on nature's design being able to work fully and effectively. Unfortunately, that doesn't sell well in a magazine, nor is it even properly understood or discussed, except in 'I find sex painful' posts, which is a bit late.
I also strongly suspect that peer pressure, teen girl feedback and comments in the shower and such, or magazines, or discussion, may be a factor.
Ultimately, you know her, I don't; and you know her actual condition, I don't. If you genuinely feel nature has been cruel, then I'd say delay until her body stabilises, and then take appropriate action. If ever there was a case of 'inner beauty', it is in the vagina and penis, which are both highly sensitive, sculpted by nature to perform a function, and - we may gratefully appreciate - nature has kindly rewarded us for the participation.
Taking a knife to what nature has found to be a highly appropriate and successful design is something that I would suggest should be done with the utmost circumspection - to whit, given the affinity in name, circumcision: is it a valid op? Maybe. Is it necessary? Certainly not.
Trust your judgement - there can be no obvious justification for haste in this matter.
If you, as her mother, have a trusting relationship with her and have had the opportunity to view her private parts, and formed your own opinion on the matter, then I'd say go with that. If in your mind, you're wondering why God or nature cruelly gave your daughter deformed parts, then yes, it sounds like an operation - still with the provisos you mention - might be appropriate. If you look at it and think 'it's just a vagina', then the real issue would seem to be one of confidence, and wisdom.
She can not, we might hope, be either very - if at all - sexually experienced, have any practical or significant feedback over a lifetime, as you have, of what is reasonable and normal, and may - we presume - have all the anxieties and uncertainties of any growing teen on this and other issues. I had no idea until coming to this site that such an operation existed, and I find it extremely disturbing just how far women and young girls will go to mutilate their bodies in the name of 'beauty'. Look at Michael Jackson and how he ended up for an object lession in confusing a highly profitable and lucrative 'beauty' industry with nature, health, and joy.
So I strongly support your position, even though it may be for different reasons. And for want of a more delicate way of putting it, no man who forms a strong attachment to your daughter is going to be marking a score card for aesthetics.
There are other aspects to consider, which we as adults cand discuss, such as the fact that the labia, especially inner labia (the 'petals') rather than the outer ('mons') have an important function in carrying and maintaining lubrication. The world has already gone 'shaving crazy' for aesthetics, without appreciating the similar and complementary role of pubic hair.
Comfort and fulfilment during sex - as has just been blatantly raised in another post, via damage to the vagina during sex - rely on nature's design being able to work fully and effectively. Unfortunately, that doesn't sell well in a magazine, nor is it even properly understood or discussed, except in 'I find sex painful' posts, which is a bit late.
I also strongly suspect that peer pressure, teen girl feedback and comments in the shower and such, or magazines, or discussion, may be a factor.
Ultimately, you know her, I don't; and you know her actual condition, I don't. If you genuinely feel nature has been cruel, then I'd say delay until her body stabilises, and then take appropriate action. If ever there was a case of 'inner beauty', it is in the vagina and penis, which are both highly sensitive, sculpted by nature to perform a function, and - we may gratefully appreciate - nature has kindly rewarded us for the participation.
Taking a knife to what nature has found to be a highly appropriate and successful design is something that I would suggest should be done with the utmost circumspection - to whit, given the affinity in name, circumcision: is it a valid op? Maybe. Is it necessary? Certainly not.
Trust your judgement - there can be no obvious justification for haste in this matter.
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