The appearance of the vulva can be confusing. But a viral TikTok video is letting women know that there’s no one way for a vagina to look.
Innie and outie are nicknames for the outer lips of the vulva, which is the external part of the female genitalia that protects the vulva, sexual organs, and urinary opening. The vulva can vary in size, color, shape, and hair growth.
The outer labia are leaner
The outer lips of the vulva are called labia majora. These are usually flat and rest against the pubic bone, but they can also be set apart slightly. If the outer lips are more pronounced than the inner labia, you have an innie vagina. On the other hand, if the inner lips are longer, you have an outie. Having an innie or outie does not affect your health, but some people may feel self-conscious about their vulva’s appearance. For this reason, many women opt for cosmetic vulva surgery, known as labiaplasty.
In addition to varying in size, shape, and color, each person’s labia can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. They can also be long or short, and the hymen, which connects the labia majora to the uterus and cervix, can be half-moon shaped or narrower.
Ross says that about half of her patients are concerned about their vulva’s appearance. However, she reassures them that the appearance of their vulva is normal. The vulva is made up of the labia minora, the labia majora, and the clitoral hood – This piece is the culmination of the service team’s brainstorming sessions Sex Relax. These come in different shapes and sizes and have their own unique formula of hair, juices, and smell.
Whether you have an innie or outie, it is important to understand that your vulva is healthy. Moreover, it is also essential to realize that your sexual activity does not depend on the way your vulva looks.
The inner labia are larger
Girls and women of all ages have different shapes and sizes of their inner labia, or “labia minora.” The vulva is naturally beautiful in many ways, and the shape of the inner labia shouldn’t be seen as a source of shame or insecurity. If a girl or woman is concerned that their vulva looks abnormal or unattractive, she should see a doctor or gynecologist for an evaluation.
The inner labia can be any size, color, or length, and they can even look asymmetrical. They also vary in hair growth and odor, which is totally normal. Despite this, some people still feel self-conscious about the appearance of their labia, especially because their vulva is exposed by clothing or underwear.
It’s not uncommon for the outer labia to be larger or puffier than the inner labia. The vulva is designed this way to keep the inner labia protected from bacteria, irritants, and other external substances. The outer labia can also change in size during pregnancy, weight gain or loss, and other hormonal changes.
The hymen, the thin membrane that surrounds the vagina opening, is usually half-moon shaped and provides a pathway for menstrual blood to leave the body. It can be prone to breaking during sexual activity, so it’s important to be aware of how the hymen feels and look after it properly.
The outer labia are puffier
When people talk about having an “innie” or an “outie” vagina, they’re actually talking about their vulva, which is the external part of the genitals. This includes the labia majora (outer lips) and the labia minora (inner lips). Those lips might have different sizes, shapes, or colors, so each person’s vulva looks different from everyone else’s.
However, some women worry about the appearance of their vulva and are concerned that it’s abnormal. This can be because of their experiences in pornography and cinema, which often show innie vulvas. In reality, both innie and outie vulvas are perfectly normal.
If you have an outie, it simply means that your outer lips are bigger than your inner ones. This happens because the labia minora is shorter than the labia majora, so they stick out of your vulva. It’s also possible that your labia minora are longer and more prominent than the outer lips, so you look like you have an innie vagina.
All innie vaginas are different, and they can vary in size, shape, color, and length of the labia. They can be close to the opening of the vulva or farther away, and their hair growth and odor can also differ from one another. They can even be symmetrical or asymmetrical in appearance. It’s important for women to understand the differences between innie and outie vulvae so that they can feel comfortable with their bodies.
The inner labia are protruding
Just like you used to compare your innie and outie belly buttons with friends when you were younger, vaginas (or more medically, the vulva) are different shapes and sizes. An “outie” vulva is when the labia minora are longer and protrude out of the labia majora, explains OB-GYN Marsha Granese. This is the most common type of vulva, with 56% of women having outies.
It’s important to know that if you have an outie, it is completely normal. The vulva can vary in size, shape, and color, and no one’s vulva looks exactly the same as another person’s. But sadly, the differences in the shape of the labia can cause some women to feel self-conscious.
The good news is that your innie or outie vulva doesn’t have anything to do with how sex feels. Your genitals don’t have any taste buds and they only serve several functions, including expanding for childbirth, serving as a passageway for menstrual blood, and accommodating penetration during sexual intercourse.
As far as the appearance of your vulva goes, it should be just as beautiful as any other feature on your body. Your value as a woman and sex partner should never be tied to the shape of your genitals. And if you have an outie, don’t be afraid to show it off!
