What Do Normal Labia Look Like?

Normal labia come in a very wide range of shapes, sizes and colours. Inner labia that hang below the outer labia, one side longer than the other, and a darker edge are all common, and almost all labia are normal.

This guide explains the anatomy in plain words, describes the shapes and lengths Dr Reema Hadi sees in her practice, and defines terms you may meet when reading about labiaplasty.

Almost all labia are normal

There is no single "normal" look. Many images online and in the media show a narrow, often edited, idea of how labia look. The Labia Library, run by Women's Health Victoria, shows the real range.

Your labia do not need to look a certain way to be healthy. No one needs labiaplasty because of how their labia look. Surgery is a personal choice.

The parts of the vulva, explained simply

The vulva is the name for all the outer parts together. The vagina is the internal passage; only its opening is visible.

• Mons pubis: the soft, fatty mound over the pubic bone, where pubic hair grows. Its size varies, largely with genetics. See monsplasty.
• Labia majora: the outer lips. They run from the mons towards the anus and protect the inner parts.
• Labia minora: the inner lips, inside the labia majora. They have no hair and are full of nerve endings. They vary most in shape, size, colour and texture.
• Clitoral hood: the fold of skin over the clitoris, where the labia minora meet at the front.
• Clitoris: usually the most sensitive part of the vulva. Only the tip is visible; the rest extends inside, beneath the labia.
• Urethral opening: the small opening where urine passes, just above the vaginal opening.
• Vaginal opening (introitus): the entrance to the vagina.
• Posterior fourchette: the fold of skin where the labia minora meet at the back, below the vaginal opening.
• Perineum: the skin and tissue between the vaginal opening and the anus.

Common shapes Dr Hadi sees

In her practice, Dr Hadi sees four common shapes of the labia minora. All of them are normal. These figures are her observations of the women she sees, not population statistics.

• Sting ray (about 50%): the labia are longer at the central part of the labia.
• Fan (about 30%): the labia are longer over a wider area.
• Funnel (about 10%): the labia form a narrower opening.
• Asymmetry (about 5%): one side is noticeably longer than the other.
• Low lying clitorus (about 2%): the clitorus sits closer to the vaginal opening
• Prominent clitoral hood (about 5%): there is prominent skin covering the clitorus

Dr Hadi also finds that about 1 in 10 women have larger tissue overall, including the hood, labia and clitoris. Most women, when looking from the front while lying down, the clitoris and hood usually take up about a third of the length and the labia minora about two-thirds.

Labial length grades

Dr Hadi grades the length of the labia minora, measured from the vaginal opening

• Grade I: less than 2 cm
• Grade II: 2–4 cm
• Grade III: 4–8 cm
• Grade IV: more than 8 cm

Every grade can be normal. Length matters for Medicare only at the far end: item 35534 may apply when a labium extends more than 8 cm below the vaginal opening when standing and causes significant functional problems. See Is labiaplasty covered by Medicare?

Colour, texture and symmetry

Labia range from pale pink to dark brown or grey and the edges are often darker than the inner surface. They can be smooth or wrinkled, thin or thick.

It is common for one side to be longer than the other. Inner labia that show beyond the outer labia are also common and normal.

How labia change through life

The labia minora grow during adolescence, and long labia are often simply how a woman is made. They can become more noticeable after childbirth.

Hormonal changes, weight changes and age can also change how the outer labia look and feel. These changes are a normal part of life.

Long labia don't usually affect sexual function. Labiaplasty is not done to improve sexual function and does not change it.

When to see your GP

See your GP if you notice any of the following, whatever your labia look like:

• A new lump, sore or skin change
• Itching or irritation that doesn't settle
• Pain in the vulva
• Unusual discharge, or bleeding outside your period

If your labia cause physical problems, such as chafing, pain during exercise or difficulty with hygiene, your GP can talk you through this as there are non surgical options available. Our guide Am I a candidate for labiaplasty? may help.

Glossary of terms

• Labiaplasty: surgery to reduce or reshape the labia, usually the labia minora.
• Labioplasty: another spelling of labiaplasty. It is the term Medicare uses.
• Labial reduction: another name for labiaplasty that reduces the labia minora.
• Labia majora reduction: surgery to reduce the outer labia. See labia majora reduction.
• Labia majoraplasty: surgery to add volume to the outer labia, usually with fat grafting.
• Hoodectomy (clitoral hood reduction): surgery to reduce the clitoral hood, from the sides (lateral) or the upper part (superior).
• Trim: a labiaplasty technique that removes tissue along the edge of the labia.
• Wedge (butterfly): a labiaplasty technique that removes a V-shaped section from the middle and keeps the natural edge.
• De-epithelialisation: removing only the surface layer of skin, rather than cutting through the full thickness.
• Dehiscence: when a healing wound separates along its stitch line.
• Perineum: the area between the vaginal opening and the anus.
• Perineoplasty: surgery to the perineum, for example after stretching or tearing in childbirth.
• Cooling-off period: at least 7 days between giving consent and booking cosmetic surgery, required by the Medical Board.
• Vaginoplasty: surgery on the vaginal canal. It is a different operation from labiaplasty. See labiaplasty vs vaginoplasty.

Read more about the techniques in our guide to trim vs wedge labiaplasty.

Frequently asked questions

What do normal labia look like?

There is no single normal look. Labia vary widely in shape, length, colour and symmetry, and almost all are normal.

Is it normal for the inner labia to hang below the outer labia?

Yes. Inner labia that show beyond the outer labia are common and normal.

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

Yes. It is common for one side to be longer. Dr Hadi sees noticeable asymmetry in about 5% of the women she sees.

What is a normal labia minora length?

There is no single normal length. Dr Hadi grades length from the vaginal opening, from Grade I (under 2 cm) to Grade IV (over 8 cm), and every grade can be normal.

Why are my labia darker at the edges?

Darker edges are common and normal. It is usually caused by friction or rubbing. Labia range from pale pink to dark brown.

Do labia change after childbirth?

They can. Long labia can become more noticeable after childbirth. Episiotomy, tears or assisted birth (vacuum or forceps) can also stretch the labia.

What is the difference between the vulva and the vagina?

The vulva is all the outer parts, including the labia and clitoris. The vagina is the internal passage, and only its opening is visible.