3D Printed Vulva: An Educational Tool for Adolescents

Abstract

Mass media outlets are perpetuating an ever-narrowing norm of vulval appearance, one that is unrepresentative for many individuals. Consequentially, women who unavoidably consume this media are increasingly self-conscious of their genital appearance, which in turn can affect their self-esteem. Protruding labia minora (inner lips) are usually the vulval anatomical structure which varies most widely compared to media portrayals and is the most common area of insecurity. In an attempt to quell their vulval anxieties, women, and increasingly adolescents, are using surgical interventions to alter their vulvas in accordance with what they believe to be ‘normal’. Labiaplasty rates increased 73% between 2015 and 2019 (Kalampalikis and Michala, 2021). Whilst there is wide commentary about the need to tackle these rapidly increasing rates, little scientific research has been initiated to address the underlying problem. Conversely, artists have produced visual representations of vulval diversity, believing that an increase in awareness of vulval diversity may ease anxiety. Unfortunately, due to their artistic nature they tend to lack scientific rigour. 3D resources show promise in anatomy education through their interactive, tangible element which gives them an enhancement over the current artistic offerings and school curriculum. This research has produced a 3D printed resource of a ‘normal’ vulva for use as an educative tool about vulval diversity, via digitally creating a 3D model from creatively reconstructing CT data. Interviews with four clinical professionals were conducted prior to the digital creation of the model to gauge aspects of inclusion that would render the resource correct and useful for educating adolescents. Data selection on 1389 vulval images, from numerous sources, was conducted to understand the most common vulval characteristics and how those characteristics interact with each other. The most common characteristics were protruding, asymmetric labia minora, and a visible clitoral hood. Reference images with such characteristics were selected to help create the digital model, so that it would be as anatomically accurate and representative as possible. A mould of the digital model was 3D printed and casted using silicone. Face and content validity tests were performed on anatomical experts to assess the anatomical accuracy and potential usefulness of the resource for the education of adolescents, respectively. Test results found the resource to be both anatomically accurate and potentially useful for its intended purpose. Future development of the development should explore the production of additional resources showing differing appearances of each structure, in a variety of ethnicities