Vulvas, the outer part of your genitals, and all their components are unique. They come in different sizes, shapes, colors, and even smell.

A lot of ladies are unsure whether their genitals are normal. Well, there really isn’t a “normal” genital. When talking about appearance, it’s usually the labia (or “vaginal lips”) that women refer to and that makes our genitals unique. The labia aren’t just for looks or appearance; they actually play an important role in our sexual and reproductive health.

See what those lips can do

The labia majora are the fleshy outer lips of your vulva, while the labia minora are the inner lips that lead to the vaginal opening.

The inner and outer labia keep harmful bacteria from entering the vagina, and give additional genital sensation during sexual activities.

Both the inner and outer labia swell and become more sensitive when sexually aroused, which is a source of sexual sensation. Sebaceous glands are also found in the inner labia to provide additional lubrication during sex.

How do you look?

The only thing that should be normal about the labia is that it’s normal for each person’s labia to look different!

Some may have inner labia that extend past the outer labia, others could have outer labia that are plump and prominent — one side of the inner and/or outer labia can also be asymmetrical.

Differences happen because we are all made of different genes that we inherited from our biological parents. We can’t choose how our labia will look or what color they’ll be.

You may have encountered this belief before that ladies with prominent inner labia are sexually active. This is incorrect because how your labia looks like does not say anything about your sex life or worth as a woman. Stay away from people who don’t have labia but have so much to say about it!

Your true colors

It’s common that the inner and outer labia are darker than the skin around them. Some could have pink or purplish labia, while others might have brown or reddish labia. They’re all normal, and there’s no average labia color.

You might also notice that the clitoris and inner labia become darker when you’re aroused, and that’s because of the increased blood flow in your genitals. Once you’ve climaxed or no longer aroused, they will return to their usual color.

Don’t worry when you notice a change in color, it’s a common experience among women. But if you notice symptoms such as itching, swelling, and unusual odor or discharge, it’s time to ask your doctor about it.

Sources:

https://www.scarleteen.com/article/advice/giveem_some_lip_labia_that_clearly_aint_minor

https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/lopsided-vagina