Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Uncomfortable labia minora

Sorry in advance; I know this is an awkward question. I created a new username on here specifically to ask it because I don't want anyone I know in person to come across it and realize it was me who posted it.

Anyway, I'm 23 years old, and ever since I went through puberty, my inner labia have extended past my outer labia and caused me great discomfort. I don't recall having this problem before puberty, which is why I spent many years as a teenager terrified that I was growing a small penis; sounds silly, but no one had ever told me that we had labia minora.

They rub against the inside of my clothing and get pinched in between my outer labia and cause me a great deal of discomfort. The only thing I really know to do is wear really tight underwear to keep them tucked in, but I can't always do that. I've read that longer labia minora are perfectly normal, but I've never read about them causing women this much discomfort, which is why I wonder if there's something wrong with mine. They're not even that long. They extend about 3/4 of an inch, but they're still so irritating. Plus, they're not very aesthetically pleasing, but that's a separate issue.

I've entertained the thought of looking into labiaplasty, but I'm broke and probably couldn't afford it anyway. Plus, I worry that it would cause complications with sex once I start having it (I never have).

I've never been to a gynecologist, for the record, before someone says that she/he would have said something if there was something abnormal going on. I spend so much money on like 6 other doctors that I see due to other health problems, so I've just never felt the need nor desire to add another medical expense into the mix since I'm  not sexually active. Plus, I still live at home with my dad, and every time he sees me walking out the door to go to a doctor's appointment, he starts asking me questions about why I went, what they did, what they said, etc., which is annoying enough when we're just talking about a neurologist or a cardiologist and not a gynecologist, so I'd have to wait until I moved out of here anyway.
4 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Hi Aqua, Well it seems some of us are going down the same road, Now I was thinking French knickers, in silk so there nice and lose, see going the other way than tight, all vaginas need air and not locked away.
But remember your not a freak, there are lots of men who will just love you, and as anny has said try looking on dodson and ross, Dr Betty Dodson may even be able to help with your problem with more advice, when you go on there you will find you have fallon right in her ball park, she runs life class's on female masturbation and how to orgasm, and she takes life one orgasm at a time.
So please enjoy what you have, nature made you that way.
Good Luck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Anytime the vaginal area, in general, is irritated, it can cause pain and discomfort. Tight underwear can cause yeast infections and make them worse, and the reason is that the tightness makes it difficult for proper airflow and so normal moisture (from regular vaginal fluids and the bit of urine left after urinating) changes the PH balance of the vagina-- which can lead to a yeast infection. It doesn't always become an actual yeast infection, so there's just discomfort or just itching, etc. but not all the symptoms or need for treatment.

    I can understand why you have to wear the tight underwear, so wearing looser underwear probably isn't a good solution. But, if it's not 100% cotton, you could try that for more airflow. Or maybe a different fabric, like a high-quality satin, or other soft fabric, would be better for your particular discomfort. Also, dresses and skirts, instead of pants, might help-- a little more airflow, plus less rubbing and irritation. Other basic things that help with irritation might work, like an ice pack (cold, but it can really help!) and, strangely, frozen dish detergent bottles are a good shape for that area. I don't know if you could explain that to your dad, though! Maybe you could tell him that one of your doctors suggested it for another area of your body.

    You could also try hypoallergenic soap to reduce any additional irritation that normal soaps can cause for some people; basically, if I were you, I'd try anything safe that helps decrease irritation and discomfort since the real problem can't be solved, at least not right now.

    I have a number of doctors, too, so I can relate to how annoying it is when someone asks you a million questions about an appointment. It's like, ugh, talking about it Once, with the doctor, was annoying enough! If you decide that you have to see a gynecologist, tell him it's about menstrual pain and heavy bleeding and give him Plenty of details, haha, whine about it for hours-- maybe he'll stop asking so many questions!


Helpful - 0
134578 tn?1693250592
COMMUNITY LEADER
As far as aesthetics are concerned, most women's labia look like fat lettuce hanging out of a hamburger bun.  It would be abnormal to have the vulva of a little girl, it's not abnormal to have the labia of a grown woman.  Google Betty Dodson if you would like to see her gallery of labia drawings, there is actually quite a variety.  

I'm not sure what to tell you about the painfulness.  It does seem unusual.  And the idea that they could actually stick out of your panties is a little surprising, 3/4ths of an inch should stay in.  So don't know what to suggest there except that perhaps a pantiliner would be less irritating than just underwear?  

When you do get around to the gyn, you can ask about any creams or other products that might ease the rubs or pinches.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Oh duh. I guess I should ask my actual question, huh? Sorry. Is it abnormal for your labia minora to irritate you a lot like this? And if I looked into labiaplasty in the future, is there a significant risk of it causing me sexual problems later on?
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
I'm a trans man, so I have a vagina... I have the same issues as you... Usually it's when I walk a lot, my lower hanging labia minora rubs raw and I get like a rash. It's not an infection like some are suggesting below. It's nothing to do with that. I found wearing snug cotton underwear helps keep them in place lol but I've considered a labiaplasty. Being trans, sex isn't on my mind for my vagina. But I can see why I would be of concern to you. I suggest seeing a gynocologist, requesting a consultation about a labiaplasty. Ask how much it would cost and complications and such. Doesn't hurt to ask and it also won't hurt to lie to your father where you went. Some things parents don't need to know lol
Im 15 i have the same problem ever since I was 8 I feel uncomfortable to wear like my underwear around the house if i wanted to or wearing a bathing suit around other people I hate it and I don't want others to see that I have it
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Women's Health Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
Normal vaginal discharge varies in color, smell, texture and amount.
Bumps in the genital area might be STDs, but are usually not serious.
Chlamydia, an STI, often has no symptoms, but must be treated.
From skin changes to weight loss to unusual bleeding, here are 15 cancer warning signs that women tend to ignore.