5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

This session aims to contextualize how the hyper-medicalization of sexual bodies constructs the sexual self in late modernity. The increasing and pervasive medical interventions on bodies from various aspects will be highlighted. Papers focusing on gendered aspects of hyper-medicalization are especially encouraged. Topics may include, but are not limited to, procedures such as routinized episiotomies, elective c-sections, gender (re)affirmation surgeries, sexual organ augmentations, skin color modifications, and enhancements, and their impacts on the construction of modern sexual self. Presentation proposals that explore the intersectionality of these medical practices are also sought, examining how they intersect with other axes such as race, socioeconomic class, and disability status, in addition to gender. The goal is to shed light on the profound effects of hyper-medicalization on individuals' perceptions of sexual self. This session aims to provide a platform for discussing the extensive impact of medical practices on social norms, power dynamics, and personal experiences, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in the medicalization of sexual bodies.