Like the belly buttons we all used to compare with our friends, our vulvas come in a variety of shapes and sizes. It’s completely normal to have an outie vulva, but many women are unaware that it’s actually quite common.
The shape of your vulva doesn’t change how sex feels, but it can affect how you experience nonsexual activities. So let’s break down the anatomy of what an outie vagina looks like.
The outer labia
While you might compare your belly button with a friend’s, most people don’t do the same for their vulva. This is probably because most of us haven’t seen a vulva outside of a pornography movie or on the cover of a magazine. However, thanks to a viral TikTok video, we now know that it is totally normal for vaginas to look different from person to person.
Some vulvas have outer lips (labia majora) that are smaller than the inner ones, which results in the inner labia protruding a bit. This is called an “outie.” The vulva isn’t something that should be hidden or embarrassed about; it’s an integral part of our bodies. It should be celebrated for its femininity, just like the rest of our bodies.
A lot of women who have outies feel self-conscious about their vulva, but there’s nothing to be ashamed of. As long as you take care to keep the area dry and clean, there are no health risks. In some cases, the outer labia may become disproportionately larger due to weight gain or hormonal changes, such as pregnancy. This is a condition known as labial hypertrophy.
If this is the case for you, a doctor can help you with a procedure called labiaplasty, which reduces or reshapes the size of your outer labia minora. However, this is not something that should be done unless your outer labia are causing pain or discomfort.
The inner labia
Just like belly buttons, no two vulvae (the medical term for the outer, visible parts of your genitalia) look exactly alike. Women can be innies, outies or both, have asymmetrical labia minora, larger clitoris and more. And that’s OK!
A person’s vulva can look a variety of ways, but that doesn’t mean something is wrong with her. In fact, it’s completely normal to have a vagina with innie or outie labia majora. This means that the outer “lips” of the vulva are smaller than the inner ones, and this can cause the outie or innie appearance.
But what does an innie or outie vagina actually look like? The hymen is the thin membrane that separates your inner and outer labia, and it’s usually half-moon shaped to provide a smooth path for menstrual blood to leave your body. You can also have a wide or narrow hymen. Having a wide hymen can lead to pain during physical activity and sports, while having a narrow hymen may prevent you from engaging in sex with your partner.
As for the outer lips, they can be long or short, wrinkled or smooth, asymmetrical or symmetrical, and they’re often more prominent when you get turned on during sex. In some cases, though, the outer labia can become disproportionately larger than the inner ones, which is known as labial hypertrophy and can cause pain or discomfort. If you have this condition, a doctor can advise you about treatment options.
The clitoral hood
The clitoral hood is a flap of skin at the very top of your inner lips. Depending on your body, it might cover all or only some of the glans clitoris (the little bit that makes love, not the horn). It protects this sensitive gland from friction throughout the day and night. The glans clitoris has more nerve endings than any other part of the body and is especially sensitive during orgasm, so you don’t want it constantly rubbing against your underwear or clothes. Glands in the clitoral hood produce natural lubrication to help the hood move smoothly over the glans clitoris and shaft.
The shape of your vulva, and whether or not you have an innie or outie vagina, is totally unique to you and shouldn’t be something that affects your self-worth as a person or sexual being. However, understanding what your vulva looks like and the reasons behind it might help you have open conversations about it with your partner and others.
Just like a face, every vulva is different. Some vulvas have a curved horseshoe-shaped outer lip that leaves the inner labia visible, while other vulvas have longer inner lips that poke out from the outside of their innie or outie outer lips. This is perfectly normal and shouldn’t be a cause for concern, unless it causes pain or irritation.
The urethra
The urethra, which is where you pee, runs from the bladder to outside of your body. It is very short, a few centimeters long. It looks like a little dot or slit. It is surrounded by the hood and the labia minora, and sometimes is hard to see. You can usually feel it, but that’s because of the soft tissue around it.
Some people have inner labia that dangle down an inch or two lower than their outer lips, which gives them an outie appearance. Others have a more curved horseshoe shape where the inner labia peek out between the outer labia.
Women with innie or outie vaginas can still have a beautiful, healthy vulva. It’s important to remember that vulvas come in all shapes and sizes, and our genitals are very different from everyone else’s. If you’re unhappy with how your vulva looks, you can always talk to your doctor about it.
It’s also important to understand that the term vulva is actually more specific than the phrase “vagina.” The vulva includes the external parts of the female genitalia, including the mons pubis, clitoris and labia minora, and the urethra. The vulva is the part of the body that is most visible, and it can be very different in each person’s case. It’s also a good idea to make sure you know the difference between an innie and outie vagina, as it can help you be more confident about your body.
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