Healthcare providers’ attitudes.

BackgroundFemale genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS) has experienced increasing popularity over the past decades. This procedure includes surgical and non-surgical intervention to alter genital appearance, often without medical indications. As many women are unfamiliar with normal genital anatomy, healthcare providers play a critical role in guiding patients. Therefore, evaluating their attitudes and knowledge for identifying gaps in training and ethical issues could be valuable.Materials and methodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted from 17 January 2023 to August 2024 among 320 healthcare providers in Iran. Participants included obstetricians and gynecologists, plastic surgeons, midwives, gynecology residents, urologists, and general practitioners. Data were collected using a validated web-based questionnaire about participants’ demographics, clinical experience, knowledge of FGCS, risk awareness, ethical considerations, and attitudes toward FGCS. SPSS version 27 was used for statistical analysis.ResultsThe majority of participants (57.6%) were obstetricians and gynecologists. Most respondents reported being approached by patients seeking FGCS, with body image dissatisfaction (65.4%) and partner requests (62.2%) being the primary complaints. Awareness of short-term risks varied significantly across specialties (p ConclusionHealthcare providers demonstrated diverse levels of knowledge and confidence in FGCS, which is influenced by specialty and training. Attitudes towards performing procedures solely for aesthetic purposes, including for those under 18, were generally positive, although pre-procedure counseling was also emphasized. While ethical considerations were widely acknowledged, a targeted training program is needed to address gaps in risk awareness and improve providers’ confidence.