Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery (FGCS) Activism

The New View Campaign is opposed to the growth of the unregulated and unmonitored genital cosmetic surgery industry that is medicalizing women's sexuality and creating new risks, norms and insecurities. We are posting documents and analyses of this dangerous and offensive new trend on this page for journalists, students and scholars.

FGCS Resources*

I. About the New View Protest November 17, 2008

New View Campaign Press Release on Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery Protest (PDF)

Endorsers of the 2008 protest (PDF)

New York City genital cosmetic surgeons (PDF)

New York City FGCS Website Claims (PDF)

Campaign letters to government and professional organizations (PDF)

II. Background information on FGCS

FAQ (PDF)

Resource list on Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery (PDF)

In 2007 the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) issued a statement saying that most FGCS procedures are not medically indicated, were ethically questionable, and were not standardized, routine or acceptable. The statement concluded, "Women should be informed about the lack of data supporting the efficacy of these procedures and their potential complications, including infection, altered sensation, dyspareunia, adhesions, and scarring." For entire statement see: Vaginal “rejuvenation” and cosmetic vaginal procedures. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 378. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2007, v.110, p.737–8.

III. Educational materials about diversity of normal genitalia

Betty Dodson drawings showing diversity of normal women's genitals (PDF)

"Design-a-Vagina" plastercast project showing diversity of normal women's genitals (PDF)

2005 British journal of Ob-Gyn paper showing range of normal female genital dimensions (PDF)

*The New View documents on this page are PDF files and must be opened with Adobe Acrobat. For a free download, click here.