The “lips” of the vulva are medically called the labia. There are two sets: the labia majora (outer lips) and the labia minora (inner lips). Though many people refer to this entire area as the “vagina,” that term actually describes only the internal canal. The visible outer structures, including the labia, clitoris, and vaginal opening, are collectively called the vulva.
Labia Majora: The Outer Lips
The labia majora are the larger, fleshy folds of skin on the outermost part of the vulva. Their primary job is to enclose and protect the more delicate structures underneath. The skin covering them is similar to skin on the rest of your body, and during puberty, hair grows on their outer surface. They also contain sweat and oil-producing glands that help keep the area lubricated.
Labia Minora: The Inner Lips
The labia minora are the smaller, thinner folds just inside the labia majora. Unlike the outer lips, they have no hair follicles. They border the vestibule, which is the space that contains the openings to both the urethra and the vagina.
What makes the inner lips especially sensitive is their nerve supply. The tissue is densely packed with nerve fibers along its entire length, with the highest concentration near the vaginal opening. This rich nerve network is part of the perineal branch of the pudendal nerve, the same nerve responsible for sensation across the pelvic floor. That density of nerve endings is why the labia minora play a significant role in sexual sensation.
What “Normal” Labia Look Like
There is no single normal appearance. Labia vary widely in size, shape, symmetry, and color from person to person. Research measuring the labia minora in adult women found an average width of about 15 to 16 millimeters, but individual measurements ranged from 1 mm to 45 mm. Roughly one in ten women has inner lips wider than 26.5 mm. It’s also common for the left and right sides to be slightly different sizes.
Color varies just as much. Labial skin can be pink, reddish, brown, dark brown, or purplish, and it often differs from the color of your surrounding skin. This is influenced by the concentration of melanin in the tissue, along with factors like hormones and friction. The inner lips frequently darken during puberty and pregnancy. None of these variations signal a health problem on their own.
Social pressure around labial appearance has increased in recent years, driven partly by trends in pubic hair removal, idealized images online, and growing marketing of cosmetic genital procedures. The medical definition of “labial hypertrophy” (unusually large inner lips) remains poorly defined, and no formal consensus exists on when surgical intervention is warranted. If your labia aren’t causing you physical discomfort, like chafing or pain during activities, their size and shape fall within the normal range.
How the Labia Change Over Time
Hormones reshape the labia at several life stages. During puberty, rising estrogen causes both sets of lips to grow, the outer lips develop hair and fat tissue, and the inner lips may darken in color. Pregnancy brings increased blood flow to the vulva, which can make the labia appear swollen or darker temporarily.
During perimenopause and menopause, declining estrogen levels reverse some of those changes. The labia can decrease in size, and the tissue may become thinner and drier. These shifts are part of a broader pattern of vulvar and vaginal changes driven by lower estrogen.
Caring for the Labia
The vulva is largely self-maintaining, but a few habits help prevent irritation. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends wiping front to back after using the bathroom and using only unscented, uncolored toilet paper. Skip baby wipes, feminine sprays, “full body deodorants,” and talcum powders, all of which can disrupt the skin’s natural balance and cause irritation. Warm water alone, or a mild unscented soap on the outer labia majora, is enough for daily cleaning. The inner folds and vaginal canal do not need soap.