Brooke Shields Got a ‘Bonus' Labia Rejuvenation Without Her Consent: 'Why Can’t Everybody Just Leave My Vagina Alone’ (Exclusive)

After a lifetime in the spotlight, Brooke Shields’ new book, Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Age, (out January 14) is her most provocative yet.

At 59, the star is incredibly candid about everything from sex to motherhood to taking charge of her body — including the doctor’s office.

He writes about an improper Pap test that led to a “cone biopsy,” a procedure to remove abnormal tissue from the cervix. The precancerous cells were removed – but it wasn’t until years later that she learned (from a doctor) that an aggressive biopsy would make it difficult to conceive because of the scar tissue that remained. It was just a precursor to another medical procedure to which she was subjected and which had unexpected consequences.

Below, read an exclusive excerpt shared with PEOPLE from the chapter titled “No More Punching Bag: A Plea for Self-Advocacy” about the moment she revealed the medical procedure she didn’t consent to.

Brooke Shields must not have old thoughts about aging as a woman.

Flatiron Books

About eight years after giving birth to both of my girls, I found myself in another—and in retrospect, much more outrageous—situation where I felt like my medical care had been taken out of my hands. I had an examination with my gynecologist, and after the examination she asked me if I had ever felt discomfort due to my labia.

“Only in skinny jeans and spin classes and every romantic moment ever,” I said.

(I apologize if this is too graphic or just plain TMI, as some generations still call it. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t uncomfortable sharing this very intimate information. But, if we want to change the way we approach and talk about women’s health, then we have to bring up uncomfortable but very real questions, shame is no longer an option).

My labia (you have to admit this is a funny word) has been a problem for me since high school, and I’ve been forever ashamed of it. My best friend Lisa had the same situation, and at least we could laugh about it together. As if you were in a boxing gym and you had two small speed bags between your legs, we would joke. It hurt and bothered me, and when I told my gynecologist about it, she said that it is very common and that I am definitely a candidate for a lip reduction procedure.

Brooke Shields 2024

Taylor Hill/Getty

It would technically be considered a cosmetic procedure – even that still pisses me off because we’re talking about pain – but it was one that would significantly reduce my discomfort. Why should it come down to just a cosmetic choice, as if I wanted more photogenic labia so I could act in adult films (nothing against the professionals!). It also meant that, like many other important procedures for women, it would not be covered by insurance. Anyway, my doctor made me feel less ashamed and relieved that there is a solution. She recommended a doctor in LA

I had one consultation with this (yes, male) doctor and wondered why I hadn’t heard of this surgery earlier — years of discomfort, potentially fixed! I went for the procedure. When it was over, the doctor described to me how it went. “I was very detailed,” he said, to my relief and excitement. And then: “I was there for four hours, and you know what I did? I pulled you a little tight! I made you a little younger!”

Wait, what?? I was shocked, speechless. I can’t remember how I responded, or even if I said anything. Should I have said thank you?

Brooke Shields in January 2025.

Michael Simon/GC Images

“After two children, everything is looser,” he said. But I had a c-section and a scarred, narrower cervix, I replied. “Still…” he said, staring as if waiting for some further reaction from the lady whose feet were glamorously encased in metal stirrups. He acted as if he had done me a favor and that I should, in fact, be grateful. His delivery had a real “I threw this in for free, little lady” vibe. But I never asked to be “tightened” or “rejuvenated” (in translation: get a younger vagina). I felt numb.

I was horrified, but also lost. I didn’t want to sue the man – or maybe I wanted to, but I didn’t feel I could – because I didn’t want my lady’s roles to be on the front page of every newspaper again. This man surgically altered my body without my consent. And he thought he was doing me a favor by throwing in a “bonus procedure”? The sheer audacity of it infuriated me. Having the most intimate parts of my body in the public eye for so long… it was enough. All I could think was, why can’t everyone just leave my vagina alone? (Even now, as I write this, I know this is going to be a headline-grabbing piece. Whatever. Women deserve all the information.)

If I was happy with the results of the procedure, I would still be angry that he did it without my consent. But as it turned out, I wasn’t happy with the results and haven’t been since. I can’t be bothered to change anything now, but after I got better, I definitely noticed a difference in my body, and not a good one. Maybe if I were a sex-obsessed person I’d be happy for the “freebies,” but I’d say my sex drive is pretty typical for a woman my age. I like intimacy, but I don’t need it every day. And it is true that the procedure did not increase my satisfaction.

Brooke Shields and husband Chris Henchy.

Brooke Shields/Instagram

I have never taken any action against this doctor. I never even talked to him about it again, partly because I started questioning myself, wondering if he was right, that I should feel happy. Or perhaps, I thought, this was a necessary improvement for my man, who was secretly displeased but would never dare broach the subject of my “loose things down there?” It’s crazy that these ideas even occurred to me. What’s even crazier is that I didn’t discuss it with my husband until later. I can’t remember why I finally told him, but he was almost as angry as I was.

Because if the same thing happened today, my reaction would not be so generous. My feeling is basically a huge middle finger. Y— that guy! He had no right to do what he did, and if it happened to me now, I’d make my own thunderous headline and post it everywhere. That’s how this era seems to me, and I much prefer it.

Adjusted according to Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Grow Old: Reflections on Growing Old as a Womanout January 14th from Flatiron Books. Copyright © 2025 Brooke Shields. All rights reserved. No part of this extract may be reproduced or reprinted without the written permission of the publisher.

Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Grow Old: Reflections on Growing Old as a Woman is out on January 14th and is available for pre-order now, wherever books are sold.

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