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I've searched this forum and others and haven't been able to find an answer to a question that's been nagging me for awhile... I see a lot of other girls are self concious about the size/shape of labia minor, but is there any "average" for the shape of the outer lips? I look at diagrams like the one on this website, and it looks like anatomy is supposed to be "flat".
Im 20 now, and I don't remember when it was that I started noticing I didn't look like any other girl I've ever seen in a bathing suit... I'm much larger on the outside, if that makes sense ( I guess the area called the mons or outer labia?). I'm super embarrassed about it and haven't worn a swim suit in public in about 3 years, or any kind of shorts,skirt, etc, that don't sort of mask that area. I can't even imagine ever being naked in front of someone because i feel like I look like a freak. I've even been too afraid to go to a gynecologist because I think she'll tell me I'm abnormal.
Is this weird? Do people ever get plastic surgery to fix themselves down there?
Posts: 1 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2006
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1. There is no average size. 2. It's called the outer labia - the mons is the fleshy part right over the lower part of your pubic bone. 3. You're not weird. You're absolutely normal. You may think your labia are big - but your body is shaped proportionately. You are the way you are for a reason... everybody is.
4. Yes, people do get labiaplasty. It is a BAD idea. The surgery can cause permanent nerve damage in your genitals, lead to scarring that causes you long term discomfort, increased pain/decreased sensitivity during sex.
The labia have nerves just as does the rest of your body. Cut them and there's no going back.
I'm sure if you go to the GYN she will be reassuring and will answer whatever other questions you've got. Gyns are used to seeing a wide variety of people with radically dissimilar bodies.
Bathing suit issue - do you feel like you don't have enough coverage? If so, you could try wearing a bikini bottom with a sarong, or a skirted bikini. They are tres chic.
But... I think your worry is making you really critical of your body. This is something that only you have noticed, in all likelihood. If your labia were so big that they made wearing shorts impossible, you wouldn't be able to walk properly! Put things in perspective. Your body is perfectly normal.
Posts: 455 | From: New York, NY | Registered: Apr 2005
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