Brooke Shields Received ‘Bonus’ Labia Rejuvenation Without Her Consent (Exclusive)

After a lifetime in the spotlight, Brooke Shields new book, Brooke Shields must not age, (released January 14) is her most provocative film yet.

The 59-year-old star is extremely honest and talks about everything, from sex, through motherhood, to power over her body – also in the doctor’s office.

He writes about an irregular smear that led to a “cone biopsy,” a procedure in which abnormal tissue is removed from the cervix. Pre-cancerous cells were removed, but only years later did she learn (from her doctor) that an aggressive biopsy would make it difficult to get pregnant because of the scarring left behind. This was only the introduction to another medical procedure she underwent, which had unexpected consequences.

Below, read an exclusive excerpt from the chapter titled “No More Punching Bag: A Plea for Self-Defense,” shared with PEOPLE, about the moment she discovered a medical procedure she did not consent to.

About eight years after the birth of both daughters, I found myself in a different – ​​and in retrospect, much more egregious – situation where I felt like my health care had been ripped away from me. I went to the gynecologist and after the examination she asked if I had ever felt any discomfort due to my labia.

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

(I’m really sorry if this is too graphic or just TMI as some generations still call it. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t embarrassed to share this very intimate information. But if we’re going to change the way we do it, come up and talk about women’s health, then we will have to raise uncomfortable but very real issues, and shame will no longer be an option).

My labia (you have to admit that’s a funny word) has been a problem of mine since high school and I’ve always been ashamed of it. My best friend Lisa had the same situation and at least we could laugh about it together. It’s like being in a boxing gym with two little punching bags between your legs, we joked. It hurt and bothered me, and when I told my gynecologist about it, she said it was a very common occurrence and that I would definitely qualify for lip reduction surgery.

Technically, it could be considered a cosmetic procedure – even that pisses me off, since we’re talking about pain – but it would significantly reduce my discomfort. Why should I reduce it to a cosmetic choice, as if I wanted to have more photogenic labia so that I could star in adult films (nothing against those who work in this profession!). 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 embarrassed and relieved that there was a solution. She recommended a doctor in Los Angeles

I had one consultation with this (yes, male) doctor and wondered why I hadn’t heard of this surgery before – years of discomfort, potentially fixed! I went for the procedure. When it was all over, the doctor told me how it went. “I described everything in great detail,” he said, much to my relief and excitement. And then: “I was there for four hours and you know what I did? I tightened you up a bit! I gave you some rejuvenation!”

Wait, what?? I was shocked, speechless. I don’t remember how I reacted or even if I said anything. Was I supposed to say thank you?

“Everything is looser after two kids,” he said. But I had a cesarean section and a scarred, more restricted cervix, I replied. “And yet…” he said, staring as if waiting for the lady’s further reaction, whose feet were placed impressively in metal stirrups. He acted like he was doing me a favor and I should actually be grateful. There was a real “I threw it in for free, little lady” vibe when it was delivered. But I never asked for “tightening” or “rejuvenation” (translation: to give a younger vagina). I felt numb.

I was terrified, but also lost. I didn’t want to sue this man – or maybe I wanted to but didn’t feel like I could – because I didn’t want my lady parts to be on the front page of every newspaper again. This man surgically changed my body without my consent. And he thought he was doing me a favor by throwing in a “bonus routine”? His sheer audacity infuriated me. The fact that the most intimate parts of my body had been in the public eye for so long… that 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 piece will make headlines. 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 don’t bother changing anything now, but once I was healed, I definitely noticed a difference in my body, and not a good one. Maybe if I was sex-obsessed I’d be happy for a “freebie,” 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 the truth is that the treatment did not increase my pleasure.

I never took action against this doctor. I never talked to him about it again, partly because I started questioning myself, wondering if he was right and if I should feel happy. Or maybe, I thought, this was a needed upgrade for my man who was secretly dissatisfied but would never dare broach the subject of my “looseness down there”? It’s crazy that these ideas even occurred to me. What’s even crazier is that I didn’t talk to my husband about it until later. I don’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 wouldn’t be so generous. My sentiment is basically a giant middle finger. F— that guy! He had no right to do what he did, and if it happened to me now, I would create my own blatant headline and blow it everywhere. This is how I feel about this age and I like it so much more.

Adapted from Brooke Shields Don’t Get Older: Thoughts on Aging as a Womanwill be published on January 14 by Flatiron Books. Copyright © 2025 by Brooke Shields. All rights reserved. No part of this extract may be reproduced or reprinted without the written permission of the publisher.

Brooke Shields Don’t Get Older: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman is released on January 14 and is now available for pre-order wherever books are sold.