Examining the vulva: The relationship between female genital aesthetic perceptions and gynecological care

Despite the known benefits of gynecological exams, women's concerns about displaying their genitalia may function as a deterrent to care. While little is known about women's genital perceptions, the current rise of female genital cosmetic surgeries suggests that women may be dissatisfied with the deviation of their vulva from a uniform appearance ideal. Thus, the current study investigated the construction of this ideal and the relationship to gynecological care. Specifically, the current study tested a path through which exposure to either a constrained or varied vulva picture set would differentially activate a concatenation of cognitions and emotions that would, in turn, predict gynecological care perceptions and intentions. Young, undergraduate women (N=485) completed the on-line survey at a computer of their choosing. Contrary to the hypothesis, picture set exposure was unrelated to vulva perceptions. However, as predicted, young women's genital perceptions were significantly related to their gynecological care perceptions and intentions.