Video
Dr Pixie:
The subject of enlarged labia has really got you talking. A lot of you wondered, is it normal to have one side bigger than the other? Absolutely! It’s totally fine, don’t worry about it. We are all different.
Some of you wondered if large labia can affect health and cleanliness and ‘do they give rise to more infections’. Because the cells on the inside of the labia are actually mucus-producing, so they produce secretions, what happens is they actually make the labia stick together. And that can make people feel like they’re unclean or can sometimes give rise to maybe a slight smell. But in no way do they cause infections or any medical problems.
A lot of you have asked, will your labia get larger as you get older? The chances are, they will, and a lot of times this is related to the number of natural births you have.
A lot of you wondered, what do you actually do to deal with enlarged labia? Well, there is a procedure called labiaplasty—which again is something that’s got you all talking and passing comments about—which can be done through a cosmetic surgeon. It is not a routine procedure on the NHS, and is usually done by a surgeon who feels there is a clinical need based on pain or discomfort or distress to the patient. If you’re concerned about your labia, they’re causing you pain or psychological disturbance, it is always worthwhile talking to a doctor.
Doctor Responses: Enlarged Labia
Dr Pixie answers your most frequently asked questions about enlarged labia such as: Will they get bigger as you get older? Can it affect your health and cleanliness? What can you do to deal with enlarged labia?
With thanks to the Baker Street Medical Centre
Yes
NoComments and Questions
You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments & Questions are reviewed by moderators, but if you see anything on the site that worries you, please report it and one of our moderators will look at it as soon as possible.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
i am 20 years old and i have this. i have had this since i think i was 14 and i am scared to tell anyone and i have not been to a gynecologist yet i started my period late well i have started everything late and i have not had sex yet either only because i have never had a boyfriend before i also get this discharge that comes out sometimes can you tell me a little more about what it is i have and what should i do
I have no idea where to start, so I have a a big labia, and its getting me really down, its got so bad I'm tempted to cut it off myself, its horrible and painful, I can't bear to have anyone see it, not even my partner sometimes, please help, I can't afford to get cosmetic surgery ! X
Im 13 and I believe I have enlarged labias. I have noticed this for about quite some time now and it makes me very self conscious because I am afraid that when I am ready to be sexually active that guys are going to freak out and not want to have intercourse with me. I talked with my mom and aunts before to learn if when i was younger if they had seen anything unusual down there. I am very worried to go talk to a obgyn but I really do want to get checked out, but I am self conscious. I do also have discharge and I always shower or bathe a lot to keep clean down there and my labias are starting get very noticiable now, they hang down and its very uncomfortable. It kinda freaks me out because when i sit i notice my labias and it worries me because i dont want people to think I am a freak or something. I am very self conscious and I am afraid to undress infront of my aunts and my mom and my friends. Can any one help me realize if i am normal or if its abnormal or something ?
HI, I am 19 years old, and i have enlarged labia. i have a very irregular period and im scared to go to the OBGYN because i am just too ashamed with my vagina. I've never had sexual intercourse, but i know i am very scared to because i dont want the man to be disgusted. i dont know what to do..
Hi I just turned 14 and I believe I have enlarged labia. It has been like this for many years, since I was about 9 or 10. Only my ex girlfriend knows about it, and she says she's never seen it before. It hangs down but not enough to swell from friction but I don't like swimming unless i'm wearing a very tight bathing suit or you can see it hanging down. I want to get a Labiaplasty done later in life, but i'm okay with it as of the moment. It makes me concious about my body, because I don't want to brag but I have large perky breasts, but when I look down there before i get in the shower it just...doesn't match.
hi, im 13 and u have enlarged labias, my right labia is larger than the left, i am really worried if any thing is wrong and i really want to get it removed, i dont wish to see a family doctor, is there anybody else who i can talk to? i have been worried about this for quite a while, i do check it often and it is very unattractive to look at. It is uncomfortable sometimes but i try to ignore it. Is there anything that would help??
I'm recovering from an outbreak of genital herpes, I'm slightly concerned as the scabs on my labia are sticking together and I'm really worried, I'm keeping it lubricated but I don't know what else to do. What do I do or will it sort its self out.
i am 14 and i have enlarged labias. i am really scared of what will happen if anybody finds out.they are like a purplish color and they hang down.i dont like it. i thought i had turned lesbian because of it but while i was dating a girl she asked about going further with our relationship. i didnt know what to do so i broke up with her come to find out i dont like girls. im just scared of what guys will say if they see my labias
i have your same problem. i noticed my labias were larger when i was 13. i thought they were disgusting, but now i am 15 and realized they are normal.if your boyfriend loves you he wont mind. but before you have intercourse tell him so he knows ur worried. i am planning on having sex for the first time in a week, so i accept myself and my vagina. if he doesnt like my labias then too bad :) dont worry its so normal... if you have a crowd of people and you see the amount of red heads, thats the same amount of ppl w/ enlarge labias, you arent alone.
Hi I'm 16 years old and I think I have enlarged labias. I have noticed them for a couple of years and it is making me really self-conscious, I have never told anyone about it but I'm worried that when I am ready to have sex, I will be too uncomfortable with my body to do it. Is there any way of getting surgery on the NHS or finding out if my labia are significantly bigger than another person? It is making me feel really insecure.
I'm 16 and have enlarged labia, its painful for me doing exercise and they get itchy an uncomfortable and very sore during my periods, I was wondering would the NHS do a operation (labiaplasty) or would I have to pay for this?
