Examining the fascinating history of female genital cosmetic surgery Camille Nurka traces the
origins of contemporary ideas of genital normality. Over the past twenty years Western women
have become increasingly worried about the aesthetic appearance of their labia minora and are
turning to cosmetic surgery to achieve the ideal vulva: a clean slit with no visible protrusion
of the inner lips. Long labia minora are described by medical experts as 'hypertrophied ' a
term that implies deformity and the atypical. But how far back does the diagnosis of labial
hypertrophy go and where did it originate? Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery tells the story of
the female genitalia from the alien world of ancient Greek gynaecology to the colonial period
of exploration and exploitation up to the present day. Bringing together historical medical
and theoretical documentation and commentary Nurka uncovers a long tradition of pathologizing
female anatomy a history sure to be of interest to any reader who wishes to know more about
how medicine shapes our commonly held ideals.
