The vulvar lips are a part of the vulva that covers the labia minora, also called vaginal lips. More and more, we are seeing questions as to the ideal size or shape of this part of the female anatomy. Are some lips bigger than others and is this normal?

The vulva includes several elements: the labia minora, the labia majora, the clitoris, the urinary meatus, and the vagina. It is an important erogenous zone, much more than the vagina. In fact, overall, the vulva, and in particular the lips and the clitoris, is a very ribbed part of the body, where the skin is thin and sensitive. Finally, it is the Bertholin glands, located in the labia minora, which lubricate the lips and the vulva during sexual intercourse. No two vulvae are the same, and their shape and color vary from person to person. In fact, it is completely unfounded to have any complex vis-à-vis the appearance of her vulva, since they are all different, bigger, smaller or more colorful than others.

The labia majora correspond to the skin that starts from the top of the clitoris, at the level of the pubis, and surrounds the labia minora (around the vagina) at the level of the vulva. It is they which are covered with hair, and which, when one has the legs closed, are visible and form two small pads of skin. The labia majora are similar in color to that of the skin, lighter than the labia minora, which are darker. Like the labia minora and the clitoris, the labia majora swell under the effect of sexual arousal, since they become engorged with blood, just as with an erection in men.

The labia minora are the two parts made up of skin that start from the clitoris and surround the entrance to the vagina. When the latter is not dilated, the lips partly hide the entrance. The labia minora generally have no hair, and are smaller and more sensitive than the labia majora. However, we generally see them protruding from the labia majora. Here again, there are a multitude of varieties of lip shape, color, etc. Note that the labia minora are asymmetrical: we always have one smaller than the other. This is therefore normal, there is nothing to worry about.

As we have seen, no two vulvae are identical. Every woman has a different vulva, vagina, and labia. There is no standard size for any of these parts of the body and reproductive system. There is nothing serious, disturbing or abnormal about having drooping lips, which “protrude” from the vulva when the latter is in the closed position. In addition, you should know that the lips are not symmetrical, and that it is therefore quite normal that their shape is not regular. This can change over the course of life, especially at puberty when they get bigger, and at other times of life depending on age. Likewise, their color, appearance and size differ from body to body.

Having large vaginal or vulvar lips is not a big deal at all. As we have seen, there is no such thing as a typical body, but an immense diversity of vulvae. In fact, whether they are big, small, hanging or not will not change anything in the sexual experiences, nor in the desire felt during the reports. The important thing is to be in tune with your body and not to complex by comparing yourself to other bodies for example. On the other hand, if you notice excessive redness, pain, an unusual lump on your lips, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist: swollen lips may be synonymous with inflammation such as vulvitis.

For a few years now, a certain fashion has spread, which encourages women to highlight the labia minora, having recourse to plastic surgery. Like hair removal, this is a personal choice. But beware: the lips are a very fragile area, and an operation at this level, especially since it is neither useful nor motivated by a health reason but for its aesthetic side, can have bad consequences. Indeed, a loss of sensitivity can be observed after the operation, and the area can remain sensitive for several weeks. The problem being that very often, this operation is motivated by a complex conveyed by a new “tendency” which tends to standardize the body of the women, whereas it does not have to be it.