Designer "Privates" the new fad

June 21st 2013, By Gardy ChachaIn pursuit of mind-blowing pleasure, some women are going to crazy extents to have ‘a nip here and a tuck there’. Here is the good, the bad and the ugly of cosmetic vaginal surgery
Going under the knife to have ‘a nip here and a tuck there’ to achieve a perfect ‘V’ is becoming common as the world turbines at a furious pace.
Vaginoplasty or cosmetic vaginal surgery is the new fade among some women who desire maximum sexual pleasure.

So what does it involve?
“There are several types of cosmetic surgeries that women want performed on them,” says a consultant gynaecologist and fertility expert Dr Alfred Murage.
“Vaginoplasty refers to cosmetic vaginal surgery aimed at tightening up a loose vagina. It is commonly combined with labiaplasty, which aims to change the appearance of the vaginal lips (labia) to a cosmetically appealing look.”
Dr Murage points out that there is a rising trend in surgical requests for ‘designer vaginas’.
He says requests for vaginal surgical rejuvenation have become more frequent among high profile career women looking for heightened sexual sensitivity, arousal and enjoyment, while others just want to change the outward look of their private parts.
But why are women going to such crazy extends to alter such a crucial organ?
Indeed sex has driven many human beings to certain proclivities. With digital interphases, screens, media and a range of electronic devices in this age of information technology, ideas of perfection keep bombarding the mind driving many to crazy levels. Practicing marriage counsellor and psychologist Ruth Kinoro illuminates into the subject.
 “Human beings are very visual. They love to be associated with beautiful things that appeal to others. Women, in their nature, are extremely fascinated by their outside look.
That should explain the use of facial make-up and the pompous display of style and fashion. It is not really unusual for a woman to go under the knife to enhance the look on her private parts; for her aim is to gain confidence and please her partner or husband,” says Ruth.
While the mild-mannered might admit to a thought of changing their genitalia to look in a certain way, the psychologist says it is not until a wall of depression encumbers like a highland fog that displeasure with our looks hits detonation point.
She says: “Once a person has begun desiring ‘better’, that desire has to be quenched for normalcy to resume. A woman with the clout and enough finances to pay for the cosmetic procedure, is likely to go ahead with the plans to achieve her comfort.”
Is it that necessary?
Yunia Bidali, a corporate high flyer in her 30s says any procedure to change the appearance of the vagina is unfathomable and doesn’t make sense. Going to such extremeties could point into a psychological problem that ought to be treated.
“Nobody chooses how they would look once born. Somehow, nature defines how you turn out physically. However, the human being you become is upon you — you could be ‘ugly’ on the outside but quite likable, charismatic, virtuous and strong on the inside. Vaginal cosmetic surgery, whether to enhance pleasure or to have a better looking vagina, is not warranted at all,” explains Yunia.
Dr Murage advises that women must be cautious before subjecting themselves to vaginoplasty, adding that surgically tightening the vagina, after changes that come with childbirth and age, cannot guarantee a heightened sexual response.
“Sexual desire, arousal, and orgasm are an interplay of complex mechanisms that include emotional, spiritual and interpersonal factors; and not just aesthetics. In addition, women’s genitals have a wide range of natural appearances, and no single look can be labeled as superior or more alluring,” says the medic.
He further admits that even though it can improve a woman’s self-esteem, confidence and sexual performance, risks are abound; such as infections, permanent changes in sensation, pain and scarring. Vaginoplasty, like any other invasive medical procedure, can go wrong and, therefore, desiring it without knowledge of the dangers is nothing but morbid fascination with the unknown. “As an African woman, I think it does not make sense,” remarks Doreen Biira, a business news anchor at KTN. “These are things that happen in the West; not in Africa. Almost all cultures in the continent teach girls how to take care of themselves privately. Going for vaginoplasty, unless you are ready to invest time to research on it, knowledge on how to go about it and money to take care of the bills, would be going a bit far.”
For the two prominent reasons why women seek this kind of changes, Joy comments that ‘beauty’ of the organ seems off sense radar as there are no universal ‘cuteness’ units assigned to the organ. “To enhance pleasure…maybe,” she says, “but to make it look beautiful – I find that hard to understand.”
Sheila Wachira, an expert on relationships says in a world where humans are disconcerted with physical appeal; where celebrities define the peaks of perfection; where aristocracy is valued and carnal pleasures rule sociology; where there are strong views on taste, colour, texture, size, complexion, position and everything visual, cosmetic surgery is bound to take centre stage. However, she warns against it citing the deadly consequences. “The vagina is a private part that only a few people – or maybe just you – will see,” she quips.
Glitters with beauty
“Walking on the streets or even at work, nobody will tell from your face if downstairs glitters with beauty. The organ has a function, which is not dependent on its aesthetic value. Furthermore, pleasure depends on the person’s mental and physical preparedness and not the shape of the vagina. And what if the surgery is not able to give the perfect finish?”
For Anne Muiruri, a business woman and a mother of two, while it is important for a woman to feel good and beautiful in her own skin, it would be a little stodgy to go the extent of wanting to change their private parts to suit certain designs.
“Is there a proper design or look in the first place?” she asks quizzically.
“I think it’s all in the mind. If your partner or husband does not love what he sees, probably they don’t love you enough. You should not change your vagina for anything unless it’s a doctor’s recommendation. You will be defining yourself based on your vagina and that’s not who you are.”
Dr Murage, cautions women to be wary of unachievable surgical expectations, and potential long-term risks that can interfere with future sexual function, pregnancy and childbirth.
He points out that there are actually safer, less costly and non-surgical means to tone weak vaginal muscles and improve sexual enjoyment like kegel pelvic exercises.
Furthermore, he admonishes that psychosexual counselling can address low sexual self-esteem and confidence, unlike marketed revirgination and G-spot amplification procedures, which may turn out to be hoax.
“You may be better off just the way you were created,” he concludes.