Brooke Shields Opens Up About Unconsented Vaginal Surgery in Her Memoir
Brooke Shields is taking a bold stance for women’s health and rights. In her latest memoir, Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old, the 59-year-old actress shares a deeply personal revelation about having undergone vaginal rejuvenation surgery without her consent.
After enduring years of discomfort, chafing, and bleeding, Shields’ gynecologist indicated that she qualified for a labia reduction procedure. In her book, she details that the surgery took place when she was in her 40s, as highlighted in an excerpt published by Us Weekly.
To her shock, during a follow-up appointment, Shields discovered that her surgeon had also performed a vaginal rejuvenation procedure without her knowledge or approval.
Reflecting on this experience, she expressed to Us Weekly, “He informed me that he threw in a little bonus. It felt like such an invasion—like a bizarre, almost rape-like experience.” Shields emphasized that her doctor appeared genuinely proud of the unrequested procedure, despite her lack of consent, pointing out that the surgery was “irreversible.”
“Nothing indicated a need for this area to be tighter, smaller, firmer, or younger,” she asserted, sharing her frustration alongside her gynecologist regarding the shocking news.
Understanding Labia Reduction Surgery
Labia reduction, also referred to as labiaplasty, involves surgical intervention to alter the size of the labia minora, which are the skin folds surrounding the urethra and vagina. Excess skin in this area can lead to discomfort during various activities, including exercise and intimate relations, as noted by the Cleveland Clinic.
The procedure typically targets women aged between 18 and 50, with recommendations suggesting that it is best performed after childbirth, as delivery can stretch the labia.
What is Vaginal Rejuvenation?
Vaginal rejuvenation is a comprehensive term for corrective treatments targeting the vagina. Although the specific procedures may differ, they often address concerns such as lack of tightness or urinary incontinence, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
While Shields did not detail the exact nature of the rejuvenation she underwent, these procedures could include:
- Labiaplasty (which she did consent to)
- Vaginoplasty, aimed at tightening or repairing the vaginal canal post-childbirth
- Clitoral hood reduction to remove excess tissue covering the clitoris
- Monsplasty to eliminate fatty tissue from the pubic region
- Vulvoplasty to reshape the vulvar area
- Perineoplasty to enhance the perineum, the area between the vagina and anus
Brooke Shields felt compelled to speak out about her ordeal. “I’d be lying if I said I’m not embarrassed to share this extremely personal information,” she confessed in her memoir. “However, in order to transform how we address and discuss women’s health, we must confront uncomfortable yet very real issues.”
