Labia: 9 Types of vagina shapes, colors, and sizes

What are labia?

Part of the external female genitalia, labia are the fleshy skin folds located on the vulva. The vulva supports our health in various ways, such as aiding in lubrication during sex, directing urine when we pee, and offering protection from infections or physical damage to the vagina. Latin for lips, labia are an important part of our anatomy and a genital protection mechanism. 

A 2019 study from YouGov uncovered that almost half of British women (43%) and half of British men (52%) couldn't identify the labia [1]. Knowing your body well is so important. It helps you to stay informed, make healthful choices, and helps fight the stigma surrounding our bodies and sexuality. If you want to try identifying and getting familiar with your labia (which we very much recommend), you can use a handheld mirror to get a closer look at your vulva and identify both sets of labia.

What is the function of the labia?

The vagina is already a pro at protecting itself. It's self-cleaning, and can bounce back after stretching during childbirth — pretty remarkable! But while the vagina does lots of hard work, it's fair to say the nearby labia have an important role to play, too. 

When it comes down to it, labia have a very practical function. They are there to protect the vagina and parts of the vulva, such as the urethra (the opening where you pee) and the clitoris [2]. These fleshy folds cushion the external genitalia, keeping the vaginal opening and urethra safe.

Labia are actually doubly protective because there are two sets of them:

Labia majora

Labia majora (or outer lips) are the two fleshy folds on the outside of the vulva, often covered in pubic hair. These folds contain fat and have sweat and oil glands. They have fewer touch and pressure receptors than the mons pubis (the fleshy area that covers our pubic bone). What's fascinating is that the labia majora are homologous to the male scrotum, which means that both parts developed from the same tissue during early fetal development in the womb [3].

Labia minora

Labia minora (or inner/minor lips) are two smooth folds within the labia majora — they begin at the clitoris and continue past the vaginal opening. These lips have oil glands, but no hair follicles or sweat glands. They can be different colors, ranging from light pink to dark brown, almost black. The labia minora normally cover the vaginal and urethral openings, but open slightly when we become sexually aroused. [3].

Labia vs vulva

While it’s common for people to be confused about the difference between the vagina, the vulva, and its various parts (like the labia), it’s important to understand the difference between these important body parts, as using the proper names for our body parts empowers us to know more about our bodies and advocate for our own reproductive health. 

The labia is just one part of the vulva. The vulva is a broader area that covers the structure of the external female genitalia, which includes parts like:

• Mons pubis: The soft, fatty area at the front of the vulva covered in pubic hair.
• Labia majora: The outer layer of skin folds that form the outermost part of the vulva. 
• Labia minora: The inner layer of skin folds in the vulva.
• Clitoris: The small button-like structure with thousands of nerve endings that’s located at the top of the vulva. 
• Vestibular bulbs: Two internal, elongated masses of erectile tissue located on either side of the clitoris, all the way to the vaginal opening.
• Vulva vestibule: A smooth area between the labia minora that stretches from the clitoris to the vaginal opening.
• Bartholin glands: Two pea-sized internal glands that are responsible for keeping the vagina moisturized.
• Skene glands: Two small internal glands located on either side of the urethra that are sometimes referred to as the “female prostate.”
• Urethra: A small opening located in the vulva vestibule where urine comes out. 
• Vaginal opening: The entrance to the vagina [4].

As you can see, labia (both majora and minora) are the two different sets of folds that are part of the vulva.

Different types of labia

There are just as many different vulvas as there are people with vulvas. Each and every one of us is unique, and it shows in our bodies — vulvas, and labia included. Don't believe us? Well, researchers looked at over 600 white women between the ages of 18 and 84 to determine what the "normal vulva" is [5]. What researchers found was that there is a massive variability in how vulvas can look and still be considered normal and healthy. A smaller study that examined 44 women of different ethnicities and races confirms that these findings are true for people of other ethnicities and races [6].

Shapes

As we already established, no vulva looks the same and is unique to each of us. However, chances are that your vulva and labia fall into one of the nine categories when it comes to shape. Let's discuss those shapes in more detail:

1. Asymmetrical inner lips

A vulva with asymmetrical inner lips will have one side of the labia minora longer than the other, and the longer side will hang past the labia majora. It's fairly common and normal.

2. Prominent inner lips

A vulva with prominent inner lips will have both sides of the labia minora extending below the labia majora. The labia minora might be visible only slightly, or they can be pretty visible.

3. Long, dangling inner lips

A vulva with long, dangling inner lips will have an inch or more of the labia minora dangling past the outer lips. You might have additional folds and extra skin that might even slip out of your underwear. Again, it's all normal.

4. Visible inner lips

A vulva with visible inner lips will have labia minora peeking through the opening in labia majora. Some might refer to this type of vulva as a flower ready to bloom.

5. Curved outer lips

A vulva with curved outer lips will have the labia majora shaped, almost like a horseshoe, with the labia minora peeking through in the front. The labia minora might extend past the labia majora, or they might not.

6. Prominent outer lips

A vulva with prominent outer lips will have larger labia majora that are either puffy and thick or thin and a little bit loose. Most often, the labia minora won't be visible.

7. Long, dangling outer lips

A vulva with long, dangling outer lips will have labia majora hanging lower than labia minora. The outer lips might be looser and thinner, and sometimes even hang outside underwear, such as thin thongs.

8. Small open lips

A vulva with small, open lips often has smaller labia majora that are set further apart, creating the appearance of the lips being open and revealing the labia minora.

9. Small closed lips

A small, closed vulva is the most mainstream type of vulva we see on adult entertainment websites, and yet it's the least common in real life. With this type of vulva, the labia minora and labia majora kind of blend together, so it looks like there is only one type of labia.

Sizes: What's the average length and width?

In the above-mentioned study that examined over 600 white women ages between 18 and 84 [5], when researchers measured the average size of labia, this is what they found:

• On average, the right labia majora is 7.9 cm or about 3.1 inches long.
• On average, the left labia majora is 8.0 cm or about 3.1 inches long.
• On average, the right labia minora is 4.2 cm or about 1.6 inches long and 1.3 cm or about 0.5 inches wide.
• On average, the left labia minora is 4.3 cm or about 1.7 inches long and 1.4 cm or about 0.5 inches wide.

It's important to remember that these numbers are averages. If your labia is longer, wider, or shorter and narrower, it doesn't mean there is something wrong with it. As long as you don't experience pain or discomfort, it means that your labia are normal and healthy.

Colors

Just like there are many different shapes of labia, the color might also vary from person to person. It's normal and common for the skin around your genitals to be darker than the color of your skin elsewhere.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, in adults, the color of the vulva can range from pink to dark brown, red, or even black [7]. Also, the color of the vulva can vary depending on ethnicity.

Should your labia be the same color as your skin?

Not necessarily. Just like with the shape of the labia, there's a misconception that this body part should look one way. The color of the labia can differ, and it doesn’t need to be the same color as the rest of our skin. Despite what we see in mainstream porn and media, there's no average labia color, and it's completely normal for labia to be darker (sometimes just a few shades, and sometimes way darker) than the skin on other parts of our bodies.

That's due to the skin cells called melanocytes that are part of our skin's basal layer and produce melanin (pigment responsible for skin color) [8]. 

Just because the color of your vulva and labia is darker than the rest of your body, it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you. However, if you notice sudden changes in the color or appearance of your vulva, it can be a sign of infection, especially if accompanied by other symptoms like a strong-smelling discharge, pain, or itching [9]. In these cases, it’s a good idea to contact your healthcare provider for treatment options. 

Are my labia normal?

It's pretty common for people to look at their vulva that might look different from ones they've seen in mainstream porn and think, "Am I normal?!". The answer is — yes! Your vulva is absolutely normal, no matter the type, shape, size, or color. It's completely fine if your labia are not symmetrical, or if the color of your genitals is different than the color of your partner's genitals.

We all have the same parts, but their appearance varies greatly. That's due to genetics, our life experiences (such as pregnancy), age, and hormones. For example, people who have higher estrogen levels may have more prominent mons pubis [4].

Our genitals are not only different in appearance from others, but the appearance of our labia can vary during our own lifetimes, too. As we age, estrogen levels decrease, and the skin of the labia minora and majora can thin [4].

That's why it's so important not to compare your vulva with the ones you see on TV or in the media. The bodies you see in porn movies rarely ever represent reality. Instead, get comfortable and familiar with your own anatomy. And if you're curious and want to see what real vulvas look like, you may want to look at the Labia Gallery that features a number of different real-life vulvas that showcase just how broad the "normal" is for vulvas.

Other ways your vulva and vagina are unique

So, we already discussed that vaginas and vulvas can vary in shape, size, and color. But that's not all! Here are some more things that make your vulva and vagina unique.

Your signature scent

Every vagina has a smell, and it's completely normal and natural. In the past (and even to this day), women used to be shamed into trying to remove, conceal, or change the odor of their vagina. However, it's something that's part of your body and unique to you.

The intensity and the odor might be influenced by many factors, from your lifestyle and diet to hormones. You might notice that after a gym or during menstruation, the odor changes, but it should return to normal after a shower.

So, if you notice an odor, don't worry. There is nothing wrong with your vagina. You don't need to use special soaps or supplements to remove it. However, if you notice a different unpleasant odor that doesn't go away and is accompanied by other symptoms such as itching or a burning sensation, you might want to consult a doctor because it might indicate an infection [7].

The pubic hair might be thinner or thicker

First of all, the hair color in your pubic area doesn't always match the color of your hair in other parts of your body. It's a myth. Now that we have that out of the way, the thickness, color, growth patterns, and textures of the pubic hair can vary greatly from person to person. Some might have thicker hair, while others might have less growth.

Let go of the stigma surrounding discharge

Lastly, vaginal discharge is another thing that is unique to you and can vary greatly from person to person. So, what's vaginal discharge? The vagina is self-cleaning, and discharge helps keep the vaginal tissues healthy.

There are many different types of discharge you might experience, and most of it is healthy and normal. The discharge might vary in amount and color, and not all people have discharge that's noticeable.

You should only be concerned with discharge if it changes color and texture, smells weird or funky, and is accompanied by other symptoms such as itching and burning sensations or pain and discomfort. If you experience any of that, it's best to consult your doctor.

When to see a doctor or other healthcare professional

While every vulva and vagina is unique, and their appearance, scent, and color can vary from person to person, sometimes experiencing unusual symptoms could be a sign that you may need to see a healthcare provider:

• The scent changes and becomes unpleasant: If you notice that the natural scent has changed and become unpleasant, it could be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
• Sudden change in color, appearance of redness, and rashes: If the skin gets itchy, red, or you notice a rash developing, it could be a sign of an STI
• Excessive, different kinds of discharge: While discharge is normal, if it changes in color, amount, or texture, it may be a sign of infection

Learn more about your health every day

We hope learning more about your labia will help you feel more empowered. Spreading knowledge about reproductive health is built into our mission. The Natural Cycles app is the first of its kind to be FDA-cleared for use as birth control, and it can be used to plan a pregnancy if and when you want to start a family. 

However, Natural Cycles is so much more than a birth control app. It also provides daily updates and insights into your cycle. From PMS alerts to self-breast check reminders, there's so much more to the app than your fertility status.