Your labia are the two pairs of skin folds that surround and protect your vaginal and urethral openings. They’re part of the vulva, which is the external genital area between your legs. Many people use “vagina” to refer to this whole region, but the vagina is actually the internal canal. The labia sit on the outside, and they come in two sets: the outer lips (labia majora) and the inner lips (labia minora).
Outer Lips vs. Inner Lips
The labia majora, or outer lips, are the larger, fleshier folds that form the outer borders of your vulva. They typically have hair on the outside and contain fatty tissue that gives them a plump shape. These outer folds enclose and cover the more delicate structures underneath, including the inner lips, the clitoris, and the openings to the urethra and vagina. The front edges of the outer lips meet near the mons pubis (the soft mound of tissue over the pubic bone), while the back edges join together closer to the perineum.
The labia minora, or inner lips, are thinner folds of skin that sit inside the outer lips. They’re hairless and start at the clitoris, where they form the clitoral hood and frenulum, then extend downward along either side of the vaginal opening. Despite the name “smaller lips,” the inner lips sometimes extend beyond the outer lips, which is completely normal. Both sets of lips increase in blood flow and swell slightly during sexual arousal.
What the Labia Do
The labia serve as a physical barrier that shields the vaginal and urethral openings from irritation, drying out, and infection. This is especially true of the inner lips, which contain many oil-producing glands. These glands release a natural lubricant called sebum that coats the surface of the skin, keeping the tissue moisturized and creating a protective layer over the delicate openings underneath.
The labia also play a role in sexual sensation. The inner lips contain a spread-out network of sensory nerve endings distributed throughout the tissue. This means sensation isn’t concentrated in one spot but is present across the entire surface, contributing to arousal and pleasure during sexual activity.
Normal Size and Appearance
Labia vary enormously from person to person, and there is no single “normal” appearance. A large meta-analysis of clinical measurements found that labia minora length ranged from about 20 mm to 100 mm across study participants, with an average around 53 mm. Width ranged from about 5 mm to 50 mm, averaging around 18 mm. It’s also common for the left and right sides to differ in size or shape.
Color ranges from pink to dark brown or purplish. Texture can be smooth or wrinkled. Some people’s inner lips are tucked entirely inside the outer lips, while others’ extend well beyond them. All of these variations fall within the normal range. Concerns about labial appearance are common, but the wide spread in clinical measurements confirms that no two vulvas look the same.
How the Labia Change Over Time
Hormonal shifts throughout life affect the labia’s appearance and texture. During puberty, increased estrogen causes the labia to develop and the outer lips to fill out with fatty tissue. Pregnancy can also temporarily change their appearance due to increased blood flow.
The most significant changes happen during and after menopause. Estrogen plays a key role in maintaining the thickness, moisture, and elasticity of vulvar tissue. As estrogen levels drop, the labia can lose collagen and fatty tissue, becoming thinner and less full. Pubic hair may thin out, and natural lubrication decreases. These changes, sometimes grouped under the term genitourinary syndrome of menopause, affect an estimated 27 to 84 percent of postmenopausal women. The shift in tissue also changes the local pH, which can make the area more susceptible to irritation.
Common Causes of Labial Irritation
The skin of the labia is sensitive, and several things can cause itching, burning, or swelling. Contact irritation is one of the most frequent culprits. Scented soaps, detergents, fabric softeners, vaginal sprays, douches, and spermicides can all trigger reactions. Switching to unscented products often resolves the problem.
Infections are another common cause. Yeast infections occur when natural fungus in the vagina overgrows, sometimes triggered by antibiotics, pregnancy, or poorly controlled diabetes. Bacterial vaginosis, the most common vaginal infection in women ages 15 to 44, results from an imbalance in vaginal bacteria and can cause discharge and irritation of the surrounding skin. Trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite, can produce similar symptoms. All three are treatable, but they require different approaches, so getting the right diagnosis matters.
Cleaning and Daily Care
The vulva doesn’t need special products to stay clean. Warm water is sufficient for the labia, and if you use soap, an unscented, mild option on the outer lips only is the safest approach. The vagina itself is self-cleaning and should not be douched. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends wiping front to back after using the bathroom and avoiding baby wipes, feminine sprays, “full body deodorants,” and talcum powder in the vulvar area. If you remove pubic hair, doing so carefully or seeing a professional reduces the risk of nicks and infections in this sensitive skin.