Sexual Health Reproductive Health Issues Vaginal Health What Causes Large Labia and What You Can Do About It Variations in labia size and shape are totally normal By Millicent Odunze, MD Millicent Odunze, MD Facebook Millicent Odunze Geers, MD, MPH, is a plastic surgeon with Dignity Health Medical Foundation. Learn about our editorial process Updated on August 22, 2022 Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Anita Sadaty, MD, is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist at North Shore University Hospital and founder of Redefining Health Medical. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Causes Symptoms When to See a Healthcare Provider Diagnosis Treatment Frequently Asked Questions A larger appearing labia may be due to a condition called labial hypertrophy, but it can also be totally normal. Labia come in different sizes and may not even be symmetrical. However, if you notice your labia have become bigger, you may want to make an appointment with your healthcare provider. Keep in mind that labial hypertrophy doesn't always need treatment—it depends on what symptoms (if any) you have. This article discusses the causes of large labia, symptoms you may have, and when to talk with a healthcare provider. What Are the Labia? The labia are the lips of the vulva (external female genitalia). The outer lips are called labia majora and the inner lips are called the labia minora. The function of the labia is to protect the clitoris and vagina from trauma. Verywell / Nez Riaz What Is the Vulva? What Causes Large Labia? There's no clear cause of labial hypertrophy. Contrary to what some people believe, it's not caused by masturbation or a sexually transmitted infection. Possible causes of labial hypertrophy include: Genetics: Some people are born with large or differently shaped labia.Hormonal events: The labia may change in size during puberty or after childbirth.Aging: Changes over time may lead to labial hypertrophy.Restrictive clothing: Regularly wearing clothing that's tight against the labia can lead to changes.Active cycling: People who are avid or competitive bicycle riders may experience repeated trauma to the area that leads to the development of a protective layer of fat in the labia majora. Large Labia Symptoms Most people with labial hypertrophy don't experience any symptoms or discomfort related to it. Others may deal with some symptoms. Labial hypertrophy most often affects only the labia minora, but can affect the labia majora, or both. It can affect one or both sides. You may be born with a bigger labia, or it can develop over time. Symptoms can include: Labia irritation: Especially if the labia minora protrude beyond the labia majora, the excess tissue may be easily irritated by menstrual pads or tight-fitting clothing such as swimsuits, tights, or leotards. In some cases, just the pressure of sitting in a hard chair may cause labia irritation or pain. Discomfort during exercise or penetrative sex: This is caused by friction against the excess tissues during activities including running, horseback riding, bicycling, and sexual intercourse. Hygiene problems: A bigger labia may complicate the use of tampons or menstrual cups. It also may be difficult or painful to clean between the lips. Recurring infections: Difficulty cleaning the outer genitalia may lead to recurrent bacterial overgrowth and yeast infections. Self-consciousness: If labia majora are large, it may create a visible bump in tight clothing like swimsuits and underwear that some people may feel self conscious of. Concerns About a Larger Labia When to See a Healthcare Provider If you don't have any symptoms of labial hypertrophy, you don't need to worry about getting treatment for it. However, you should bring it up with your healthcare provider if: You have symptoms that impact your life You have recurrent infections You have a lot of anxiety or negative emotions regarding your labia It's typical for the labia minora to swell during sexual arousal, but if your labia swell and don't return to their normal size, you should speak to your healthcare provider. Diagnosis Healthcare providers don't have specific tests or imaging they use to diagnose labial hypertrophy as there aren't widely accepted guidelines for this condition. A healthcare provider typically diagnoses labial hypertrophy based on a pelvic examination and any vaginal or labial symptoms you may be having. If your healthcare provider believes your labia are within normal parameters or that your anxiety over hypertrophy is excessive, they may screen you for body dysmorphic disorder. This describes a mental health condition that causes you to see your body in an unrealistic way and obsess over perceived flaws. Average Labia Size Labia size varies greatly. One study of 200 assigned females not seeking labia-related plastic surgery found that the average size of labia was 19 mm wide and 35.5 mm long. What Is Body Dysmorphia? Large Labia Cyst Your healthcare provider may also check you for Bartholin gland cysts to see if that could be causing your symptoms. The Bartholin glands are located next to the labia minora near the opening of the vagina. These glands provide lubrication and can, in some cases, get blocked and develop a cyst or, in the case of an infection, an abscess. Unlike labial hypertrophy, which is uniform, a cyst tends to be one-sided and causes a pea-shaped lump you can feel or, if it's larger, see. What Is a Cyst? Large Labia Treatment Most people who go to their healthcare provider concerned about labial hypertrophy don't actually have it, but may feel embarrassed about their labia's appearance. In those cases, treatment may include education about the wide variation in what's considered "normal" and counseling for body acceptance. In most cases of true labial hypertrophy, the condition doesn't need to be treated. If you do have bothersome symptoms related to the labia minora, though, you have a surgical option known as labiaplasty which can: Reduce the size of the labia minoraHelp eliminate symptomsHelp you feel better about the labia's appearance So far, this is the only treatment known to eliminate the symptoms of labial hypertrophy. Labiaplasty Labiaplasty is an outpatient procedure usually performed by plastic surgeons. They may remove the tissues with surgical cutting tools or use a heat-based technique called radiofrequency (RF) treatment. Several surgical techniques are in use: Deepithelialization: Best suited for minimal hypertrophy, this technique involves removing a small amount of tissue and preserving the overall contour of the labia minora.Direct excision: Tissues are cut away in a straightforward manner; however, the natural color, shape, and texture of the labia minora are lost, a scar may be visible, and the aesthetic outcome is generally considered poor.Wedge resection: The surgeon removes a V-shaped wedge from low on the labia minora, then stitches the edges together. This preserves the natural edge of the tissues and results in a better appearance. Labiaplasty typically takes less than an hour and may be performed with either local or general anesthesia. Recovery is generally expected to take about six weeks. Reasons for Labiaplasty A Word From Verywell If you're worried about the appearance of your labia, rest assured that each person's are unique and yours probably aren't outside of the average range. If you're having symptoms, though, don't hesitate to bring them up with your healthcare provider. Getting to the bottom of what's causing them is the first step towards feeling better, both physically and emotionally. Frequently Asked Questions Does frequent sexual intercourse contribute to labial hypertrophy? No. It is a myth that frequent sexual intercourse causes a larger than average labia size. Do labia get longer with age? Aging can lead to a loss of elasticity, which can make the labia appear longer and thinner. How can I stop my labia from growing? There is no way to stop labia from growing. If you are concerned about the size of your labia or are experiencing other symptoms, speak with your healthcare provider. 14 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Committee on Adolescent Health Care. Committee opinion no. 686: Breast and labial surgery in adolescents. Obstet Gynecol. 2017;129(1):e17-e19. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000001862 Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor University. Labial hypertrophy. Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine. The cyclist's vulva. Agrawal K, Patel PK, Sahu SA. Premenarchal labia minora hypertrophy. Indian J Plast Surg. 2016;49(2):245-248. doi:10.4103/0970-0358.191323 Nationwide Children's Hospital. What is labial hypertrophy? Gowda AU, Chopra N, Khalifeh M. Indications, techniques and complications of labiaplasty. Eplasty. 2015;15:ic46. Anxiety & Depression Association of America. Body dysmorphic disorder. Widschwendter A, Riedl D, Freidhager K, et al. Perception of labial size and objective measurements-is there a correlation? A cross-sectional study in a cohort not seeking labiaplasty. J Sex Med. 2020;17(3):461-469. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.11.272 Lee M, Dalpiaz A, Schwamb R, Miao Y, Waltzer W, Khan A. Clinical pathology of Bartholin's glands: A review of the literature. Curr Urol. 2015;8(1):22-5. doi:10.1159/000365683 Dayan E, Ramirez H, Theodorou S. Radiofrequency treatment of labia minora and majora: A minimally invasive approach to vulva restoration. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020 Apr 22;8(4):e2418. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000002418. PMID: 32440388; PMCID: PMC7209841. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What's the difference a trim labiaplasty and a wedge labiaplasty? American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What is a labiaplasty and what does it involve? American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What is a labiaplasty? Nappi RE, Martini E, Cucinella L, et al. Addressing vulvovaginal atrophy (Vva)/genitourinary syndrome of menopause (Gsm) for healthy aging in women. Front Endocrinol. 2019;10:561. doi:10.3389/fendo.2019.00561 See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit