What I’ve learned as an aesthetic surgeon about women’s intimate needs

…and why it’s often about so much more than aesthetics

When I think back to all the conversations I’ve had with women over the years, I’m still touched by that quiet, hesitant voice that so often hides behind their first sentences:

“I don’t know if this is even important enough…”
“This might sound superficial, but…”
“I can barely bring myself to say it…”

I hear these words often – and every single time they remind me that intimate aesthetics is not a trend. It’s an expression of a deep human need for inner peace, ease and dignity.

A survey by the German Society for Intimate Surgery (DGIntim) found that almost one in two women perceive their genital appearance as “not beautiful” or even “ugly” – a figure that underlines how urgently we need an open, sensitive and respectful dialogue about this subject.

When I founded my practice NATURL in 2021, my goal was not simply to create another aesthetic surgery practice. I wanted to create a space where women can finally feel understood – with all their questions, doubts and wishes. A place where we can speak openly, sensitively and scientifically about the female intimate area – a subject that is still often whispered about, yet profoundly influences our quality of life and self-esteem.

It is rarely about perfection – and almost always about respect and dignity.

The desire for change begins within

Many associate intimate beauty purely with aesthetic motives. But the reality I encounter in my daily work is far more complex.

I remember a young woman who had felt ashamed for years about the darker pigmentation of her intimate area.

“I just don’t want to have to turn off the light anymore,” she said.

For her, it wasn’t about chasing an ideal – it was about feeling safe and at ease in her own intimacy.

Another patient struggled with chafing during sport, hardly daring to speak about it. Only after long hesitation did she confide in me – about the physical pain, but also the emotional one.

What moves me most is this: these women don’t seek change because they are “not enough” – they seek it to reclaim themselves.

Intimate aesthetics requires empathy – not judgement

I have devoted my entire professional life to aesthetic medicine. Yet it was only through my work in intimate aesthetics that I truly discovered the profound connection between outer transformation and inner wellbeing.

Let me be clear: wanting to improve your intimate area is not a sign of superficiality. It is a sign of self-awareness, self-responsibility and courage.

Historically, female intimacy has been shrouded in taboo for centuries. Even the term “labia of shame” still reflects that burdened past. It’s time to find new words – and new ways forward.

Campaigns such as “Viva la Vulva” have shown that more and more women are beginning to see their intimacy freely and without shame. That is exactly where my work at NATURL begins.

What I want every woman to know

If you ever feel uncomfortable – whether when you look in the mirror, during sport or in your sexuality – your feeling matters and deserves to be heard.
You have the right to acknowledge that discomfort without justification or shame.

Whether it’s intimate brightening, labiaplasty or gentle hyaluronic treatments, it’s never about creating a false ideal.
It’s about your individual sense of comfort, your body, and your personal intimacy.

Why I love my work

As a specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery, I bring medical expertise to every treatment.
But what truly fulfils me is the human connection – the trust of the women who allow me to accompany them.
It’s their smile after a treatment, the sparkle in their eyes, the quiet sentence:

“I finally feel like myself again.”

NATURL stands for natural beauty and individuality – especially when it comes to intimate wellbeing.
Our aim is not to fit women into a standard ideal, but to highlight what is uniquely and authentically theirs.

I deeply believe that every woman has the right to feel completely at ease in her body.
That is what I stand for – with my work, and with my heart.

Dr Anna Lukyanova