Abstract
Background/Objectives: Labiaplasty is an increasingly popular female genital plastic surgery; however, the motivational factors for women who undergo this procedure are controversial and not fully understood. This review aims to analyze the current medical research addressing the motivational factors behind the increasing prevalence of this procedure. Methods: Included studies met the following components: Population (women of any age who have undergone labiaplasty), Exposure of Interest (labiaplasty), and Outcome (motivational factors). The following databases were screened to identify relevant studies: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, using the search strategy (Motivation OR Rationale OR Motive OR Reason OR Incentive) AND Labiaplasty. After analyzing the retrieved studies (n = 221), two studies (n = 2) strictly met the established eligibility criteria and were included in the results section. One additional study was incorporated after reviewing the reference lists of eligible studies. Results: The observed motivations for labiaplasty included purely aesthetic reasons, purely functional impairment, and a combination of both. However, when both factors were considered, functional impairment was typically identified as the primary reason, while concerns about appearance were considered secondary. From a more concrete perspective, it has been noted that negative comments and experiences contribute to the distress surrounding labial appearance. Conclusions: The majority of patients undergoing labiaplasty do so for a combination of functional impairment and aesthetic reasons. These motivations may be influenced by external factors. Additionally, there is a scarcity of studies focusing solely on women who have undergone labiaplasty within the broader context of genital cosmetic surgeries.