To the Editor: The number of vulvoplasty or labioplasty procedures rebated by Medicare Australia has more than doubled over the past 10 years;1 in the United Kingdom, a similar trend was observed in the National Health Service (NHS) (Box).2 Recent media debate in Australia highlights this as a concerning problem.3
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- 1. Australian Government. Medicare Australia. Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule item reports. Item 35533. 1999–2009. https://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/statistics/mbs_item.shtml (accessed May 2011).
- 2. United Kingdom National Health Service. Hospital episode statistics 2000–2010. http://www.hesonline.nhs.uk (accessed May 2011).
- 3. Robotham J. More women opt for genital plastic surgery. Sydney Morning Herald 2010; 8 Nov. http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/wellbeing/more-women-opt-for-genital-plastic-surgery-20101107-17j1f.html (accessed May 2011).
- 4. Liao LM, Michala L, Creighton S. Labial surgery for well women: a review of the literature. BJOG 2010; 117: 20-25.
- 5. Tiefer L. Female genital cosmetic surgery: freakish or inevitable? Analysis from medical marketing, bioethics, and feminist theory. Feminism Psychol 2008; 18: 466-479.
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We thank Associate Professor Jason Abbott for his contribution to this letter.