Thank you for your question. It is common for girls to feel self-conscious about their labias and we hope our response will help you feel a bit better. Labia is Latin for “lips.” Typically you have two different labia, labia majora and labia minora. The labia majora is usually the larger and thicker of the two labias. The labia minora is usually smaller with thinner tissue. Labia come in a variety of sizes, colors, and shapes. It’s important to remember that everyone’s body is different and that it’s normal for your labia to look different from your Mom’s or even other women in your family. We are all special and unique in our own way.
However, if you are still feeling self-conscious about your labia, it’s important to talk to your health care provider (HCP) and to know that professional organizations such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists do not recommend that women have plastic surgery to make the labia smaller. Surgery to change the size and or shape of the labia without being medically necessary may violate federal or state laws. A young woman should be 18 or older before making the decision to change a normal part of her body. Women who chose to have a labiaplasty usually have experienced significant symptoms such as pain with intercourse, chronic irritation, or discomfort. Talk with your health care provider and let them know what your concerns are so they can answer all your questions.