1. Provide the title of your story or series and the names of the journalists involved.
"Warning: These Doctors May Be Dangerous to Your Vagina" by Molly Triffin.
2. List date(s) this work was published or aired.
Date published: July 2010.
3. Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Though Cosmo is best known for its candid discussion of contemporary male-female relationships, we've always had a strong commitment to covering young women's health. When we read about an upcoming medical conference on cosmetic vaginal surgery, we were concerned about what might be going on and sent an editor to investigate. Her reporting on the conference, plus separate interviews with several ob-gyns, surgeons, and sex therapists, formed the basis of Cosmo's July 2010 feature "Warning: These Doctors May Be Dangerous To Your Vagina." In the piece, we give readers an insider look at the female-unfriendly field of cosmetogynecology. We point out that the conference featured male ob-gyns only — even though almost 50 percent of ob-gyns in the United States are female. We explain the type of cosmetic (and often totally medically unnecessary) procedures these doctors perform, like tightening the walls of the vagina or shortening the labia and/or skin around the clitoris. According to doctors performing these procedures, they make female genitalia more "aesthetically pleasing." But, as critics of the industry fire back, they actually make a woman's most private body part conform to an unrealistic standard, are medically unnecessary, and can be dangerous. The article also makes clear that these doctors are cashing in on young women's insecurities. "Offering diverse procedures allows patients to return for services," the article quotes one doctor. "Two incisions, 15 minutes, and I cash the check," said another. Cosmo's balanced, thoroughly researched piece is a wake-up call to young women that they are being targeted by doctors and surgeons for a potentially harmful procedure.
4. Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
The writer relied on studies and statistical data available online in medical journals.
5. Explain types of human sources used.
This piece relied on in-person and telephone interviews with 12 human sources: 10 were doctors who either performed cosmetogynecologic surgery or had deep reservations about it. Two sources were media experts in the porn industry, who confirmed that doctors who do cosmetogynecologic procedures reshape women's private parts based on the unrealistic and airbrushed images found in pornography.
6. Results (if any).
Much feedback from this feature has come from readers, including some who were so worried about how they looked down below, they had considered getting surgery themselves. Thanks to our article, they say they will not. We also received an enthusiastic response from Psychology Today, congratulating Cosmo on waking up readers to this alarming new trend.
7. Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
No correction or clarification ran.
8. Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
None.