Reasons Why Your Labia May Look Enlarged (2024)

Having large labia may be due to a condition called labial hypertrophy, but it can also be normal. Labia come in different sizes and may not be symmetrical. In some cases, large labia may cause physical discomfort or make you feel self-conscious, but there are ways to help manage those issues.

If you notice your labia have become bigger, consider making an appointment with your healthcare provider. Keep in mind that labial hypertrophy doesn't always need treatment. However, if symptoms cause recurrent infections or significantly impact your life, labiaplasty may be helpful.

Causes

There's no clear cause of labial hypertrophy. Contrary to what some people believe, it's not caused by masturbation, frequent sexual intercourse, or a sexually transmitted infection. Possible causes of labial hypertrophy include:

• Genetics: Some people are born with large or differently shaped labia.
• Hormonal changes: The labia may change in size during puberty.
• Pregnancy and childbirth: The labia can expand during pregnancy and childbirth and remain stretched or loose afterward.
• Aging: Changes over time may lead to labial hypertrophy. Aging can lead to a loss of elasticity, which can make the labia appear longer and thinner.
• Restrictive clothing: Regularly wearing tight-fitting clothing against the labia can lead to changes.
• Active cycling: People who are avid or competitive cyclists may experience repeated trauma to the area that leads to the development of a protective layer of fat in the labia majora.
• Weight fluctuations: Extra body fat causes the skin to stretch and can cause damage to collagen and elastin fibers in the skin. When weight is lost, the tissue cannot shrink back.

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 bigger labia, or it can develop over time.

Symptoms may include:

• Labia irritation: Especially if the labia minora protrudes beyond the labia majora, the excess tissue may be easily irritated by menstrual pads or tight-fitting clothing such as underwear, 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, causing some people to feel self-conscious.

Managing Large Labia Discomfort

If you're feeling discomfort because of a long labia, there are things you can do to manage it:

• Use a cushioned seat or pad to provide protection when doing activities that may irritate the area, like bike riding.
• Wear natural materials, such as cotton, whenever possible to help improve airflow around the vulva.
• Wash with a hypoallergenic soap that's free from harsh chemicals or perfumes.
• Check with your healthcare provider about creams and ointments you can use to ease discomfort.
  

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If you don't have any symptoms, you don't need to worry about getting treatment for labial hypertrophy. However, you should talk to your healthcare provider if:

• You have symptoms that impact your life.
• You have recurrent infections.
• You have significant 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, 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 have.

If your healthcare provider believes your labia are within normal parameters or that your anxiety over hypertrophy is excessive, they may do a screening for body dysmorphic disorder. This is a mental health condition that involves an overwhelming preoccupation with your body's appearance and obsessing over perceived flaws.

Your healthcare provider may also check 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 an abscess (if there's an infection).

A cyst tends to be one-sided and causes a pea-shaped lump you can feel or see (if it's larger).

Treatment

Most people who go to their healthcare provider don't have labial hypertrophy 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. However, if you have bothersome symptoms, there's a treatment option called labiaplasty which can:

• Reduce the size of the labia minora
• Help eliminate symptoms
• Help you feel better about the labia's appearance

Labiaplasty Techniques

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.

Surgical techniques include:

• 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. 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.

Outlook

For people experiencing side effects from labial hypertrophy, there are ways to soothe irritation or manage the effects. Many people find they can relieve most discomfort by making a few lifestyle changes.

Surgery is an option for people with severe cases or cases that cause emotional discomfort.

Summary

Large labia are oftentimes normal but may be due to a condition called labial hypertrophy, which is caused by genetics, hormonal changes, and aging. If you experience discomfort due to a larger labia, at-home measures may help. If you're worried about the appearance of your labia or have symptoms that impact your life, talk with your healthcare provider.