It is perfectly normal for the labia to stick out. Every vagina is different. The vulva is the visible external part of the female genitals. The vulva has two parts:
- Labia minora (inner lips)
- Labia majora (outer lips)
Vulvas and vaginas are unique in shape, size, texture, and color. Labia come in different shapes and sizes. Labia can be:
- Dangling
- Puffy
- Thin
Some women may have their inner labia coming out of their outer labia whereas some may have their inner labia placed inside. There are no standard measurements for the size of the labia minora because there can be a lot of different sizes. The protruding out of the labia minora is known as labia minora hypertrophy, which is quite usual.
Is there any specific cause for labia minora hypertrophy?
Does labia minora hypertrophy cause any problems?
Most of the women will not exhibit any symptoms; however, the look of the labia minora can be an issue for some. It may also cause physical or emotional problems. Some women may also experience symptoms, such as:
- Irritation or chaffing
- Infection due to chaffing and accumulation of the secretion
- Trouble cleaning the labia well
- Pain with activities and sports
- Distress
Many women may feel embarrassed due to the inner lip bulging in the underwear.
What conditions of the vagina or vulva can be bothersome?
Some women may feel that their vagina has a tongue. In short, the vagina slips down through the vaginal opening in such a way that it looks like a small tongue, which may be normal or may indicate a vaginal prolapse.
With advancing age, the uterus may protrude down in the vagina that may be felt as a knob or knot around the vagina. It doesn’t require treatment unless other symptoms are seen.
Some women may have an unusual membrane around the hymen that may resist the insertion of tampons and sexual intercourse.
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Seattle Children’s. Labia Minora Hypertrophy. https://www.seattlechildrens.org/pdf/pe1217.pdf
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Elective Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery. December 19, 2019. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2020/01/elective-female-genital-cosmetic-surgery#:~:text=ABSTRACT%3A%20%E2%80%9CFemale%20genital%20cosmetic%20surgery,%2C%20and%20G%2Dspot%20amplification
Cleveland Clinic. Vaginal Prolapse: Management and Treatment. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17597-vaginal-prolapse/management-and-treatment
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