Labia come in different sizes and may not be symmetrical.

If you notice your labia have become bigger, consider making an appointment with your healthcare provider.

Keep in mind thatlabial hypertrophydoesn’t always need treatment.

what is labial hypertrophy

Verywell / Nez Riaz

However, if symptoms cause recurrent infections or significantly impact your life,labiaplastymay be helpful.

What Are the Labia?

The labia are the lips of thevulva(external female genitalia).

The outer lips are called labia majora and the inner lips are called the labia minora.

The function of the labia is to protect theclitorisandvaginafrom trauma.

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Causes

There’s no clear cause of labial hypertrophy.

Contrary to what some people believe, it’snotcaused by masturbation, frequent sexual intercourse, or asexually transmitted infection.

Others may deal with some symptoms.

You may be born with bigger labia, or it can develop over time.

Symptoms may include:

What Is the Average Labia Size?

Labia size varies greatly.

A healthcare provider typically diagnoses labial hypertrophy based on apelvic examinationand any vaginal or labial symptoms you may have.

Outlook

Having a large labia is generally considered normal and not a cause for concern.

However, the decision to address labial size is a personal one.

Your healthcare provider is a valuable resource for information about your labia and any associated issues.

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

It can be normal for your labia to stick out.

If you experience discomfort due to a larger labia, at-home measures may help.

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