Looking at images of other vaginas improves self-image
A recent study has shown that looking at images of different vaginas can improve a woman’s self-image and make them more comfortable with their own genitals. This is the conclusion of a study conducted by the AMC’s department of gynaecology supervised by sexologist Ellen Laan. The results have been published in Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
Many women feel uncomfortable about their vaginas and wonder if theirs is ‘normal’ or not. Research shows that the attitude of women regarding their vaginas is influenced by images in the media, in pornography and in fashion where pictures of vaginas often appear to have been photo-shopped and/or the vagina surgically altered. In 2015, 96.000 women worldwide underwent labia-corrections.
Architecture
The 43 students who participated in the survey had an average age of 23 and were shown either a series of pictures of vaginas or a series of pictures about nature, art and architecture. After the survey, the women exposed to the vagina pictures thought more positively about their genitals. This effect lasted for two weeks. The woman exposed to the other pictures hadn’t changed their minds about their vaginas.
Big increase
According to Ellen Laan, the pictures made women aware of ‘the incorrect or uniform image of their vulvas that emerge from the media. Correct information about the diversity of the inner and outer labia could reduce the rising demand for labia-corrections for cosmetic reasons.’
