Q&A: Step Away From my Crotch with that Scalpel

I received a note from my dear friend Mike – a multi-talented gay man who follows my blog. He was perplexed by an article about pussy surgery on the BBC website and he wrote:

Q:  Sue, Perhaps you are the only person I can ask about this: What the hell is a 'perfect vagina'? And who are women doing this for? Anyway - hoping that you are well, and of course that your vagina is happy, or even perfect. Mike

A: I clicked the link Mike included and was appalled. The article claims a rise in labioplasty – that is, cosmetic surgery on women’s genitals. The goal seems to be to reduce the size of pussy lips for women who are embarrassed (presumably at being adults).  According to the article “In studies dating back to 1950, examined by the researchers, dissatisfaction with the way the vagina looked was the primary reason for surgery, with patients also speaking of low self-esteem and sexual difficulties.”

Then why not suggest a bit of therapy or a lot of feminism to these women? Why slice them up? This is part of the tyranny of skinniness, the fetishization of Lolita-like looks and the ever-present medicalization of women’s sexuality. Blame the woman for her sexual dissatisfaction when her partner forgets where her clit is or only likes oral in his direction.

When women get to know their sexual bodies, they discover that rather than being invisible and hidden, just a miniature version of a man, our gear is really big and special. The first time I saw a shaved pussy, I was amazed at the size of the labia – how rich, luscious, full they are under their furry protection. And only in recent years have we learned how wildly extensive the root of the clit is.

So Mike, the answer to your question about what the hell a “perfect vagina” could be is: a healthy, pampered one with a proud and confident owner. A “perfect vagina” is one that has not been submitted to the surgeon for a facelift, not been doused with stinky perfume to hide its natural aroma and not been forcibly clamped into a vicious chastity belt (unless that’s part of a consensual sexual play scenario.)

As for me, I’m as well as can be expected in a country in which the Democrats have turned into Republicans and the Republicans have turned into Teabaggers. And, yes, my vagina is a lot happier than the rest of me and wants me to thank you for your kind enquiries.

Comments

[Tracy]

just a "plug" for using vagina, vulva, labia (majora and minora) correctly. easy to find online.

many people say 'vagina' when they mean vulva, or even pubis. (or 'down there')

i don't think there's a universally agreed-upon definition of 'pussy'...but wouldn't it be fun to sit around and argue about it? with demonstrations, of course.

love
tracy

[Gema Gray]

OMG! I didn't even know such a ghastly horror existed. When I saw the title of your blog, I thought it was a reference to a recent "shock-horror" movie that I just read a review of in Newsweek (my apologies, I can't remember the name). This flick's claim to fame is yhat it's the first to show a woman removing her own clitoris with a pair of scissors. Who chooses to watch this stuff?!

Now, this! Who thinks up this stuff? Who was the first surgeon who decided this would be an acceptable specialty? Let me posit a tentative answer...it was not a woman.

[sue katz]

You're so right, Tracy. I was vaguely aware that I should define some terms - but the easy-way-out is using "pussy" - which I think of as an overview terms. Thanks for highlighting this.

[sue katz]

Gema, somehow I think you've nailed it.

[Maggie Jochild]

the meicalization of physical difference is intrinsocally linked to the pathology of oppression as well as supported by our catastrophic health care "system". succinct and extremely important reporting, sue -- as usual.

every day i thank g*d for making me a woman, and that includes my clitoral bounty, designed purely for pleasure.