Body & health

Labia

Alsolabia majoralabia minoraouter lipsinner lipslabiumvulval lips

Not yet reviewed by a clinician. This health entry was written from the public-health sources listed below and is general information only. It is not medical advice.

Definition

The labia are the folds of skin of the vulva: the outer labia (labia majora) and the inner labia (labia minora), which surround and protect the vaginal and urethral openings.

At a glance

  • There are outer labia (labia majora) and inner labia (labia minora).
  • The outer labia are fleshier and usually grow pubic hair after puberty; the inner labia are thinner and hairless.
  • The inner labia meet at the top to form the clitoral hood.
  • It is common for inner labia to extend beyond the outer labia and for the two sides to differ.
  • Pain, rubbing, sores or skin changes are reasons to see a clinician; appearance alone usually is not.

In detail

The outer labia are fleshier and usually covered with pubic hair after puberty. The inner labia are thinner, hairless folds that meet at the top to form the clitoral hood. In many people the inner labia extend beyond the outer labia, and it is common for the two sides to differ in size or colour.

Worries about labia appearance are common, often shaped by edited images that show a narrow range of bodies. Medical guidance stresses that a wide range of shapes is normal. Pain, rubbing, sores or changes in the skin are reasons to see a clinician.

In a sentence

  • The website reassured readers that labia come in many shapes and that uneven sides are common.
  • She asked the nurse whether the soreness on her labia could be caused by tight cycling shorts.

Where the word comes from

Labia is the plural of Latin labium, meaning lip. Majora and minora are Latin for larger and smaller.

Common questions

Is it normal for one labium to be longer than the other?

Yes. Asymmetry is very common, and many people have inner labia that extend past the outer labia. Medical guidance stresses that a wide range of shapes, sizes and colours is normal. Edited images in media tend to show a narrow range of bodies, which can make normal variation feel unusual.

When should I get my labia checked?

Pain, rubbing that causes discomfort, sores, lumps, or changes in the skin are good reasons to see a doctor or sexual health clinic. They can look at the cause and discuss options without judgement.

Related terms

Sources

  1. Planned ParenthoodWhat are the parts of the female sexual anatomy?
  2. MedlinePlusVulvar Disorders