A review of interventions affecting the women's genital self-image: A Scoping review

The Genital self-image is one of the important components of sexual health, which means women's attitude, feelings and beliefs about their genital organs, which is associated with sexual satisfaction and all aspects of women's sexual performance. Therefore, considering the importance of genital self-image in women's sexual health, this study was conducted with the aim of reviewing effective interventions on women's genital self-image.
To conduct this scoping  review, search was done in the databases Scopus, SID, PubMed, Magiran, Library of Cochrane, Web of Science and Google scholar search engine with keywords Genital Body image, genital self-image, Genital appearance, genital self-perception, Women, Female, Intervention and Method. Data were extracted from studies that were consistent with the objectives of the study. The quality of the articles was evaluated based on the Cochrane Risk of bias assessment tool.
Out of a total of 418 searched studies, 11 studies matched the study criteria. Based on the results, the effective interventions on genital self-image of women are divided into three categories. The first class  includes educational interventions (Psychosexual Education, Sexual Assertiveness Training, Brief Educational Video, Sex Education, sexual skills training, Self-Encouragement Skills Training, effects of exposure to pictures of natural vulvas), the second class includes exercise interventions (Qigong exercise, water Pilates), and the third class includes counseling interventions (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy).
By using appropriate approaches in different ways, such as educational, exercise and counseling interventions, it is possible to improve women's genital self-image and sexual skills and correct their sexual beliefs and attitudes. It is suggested that in order to improve sexual health, special attention should be given to improving the genital self-image of women. However, more culture-based research is still needed to adopt the best interventions and drive policy change.