In this blog, Ellie answers a community question:

Is what your vulva looks like (labia minora length, etc) genetic? Does your vulva change in appearance, and does your labia potentially develop/grow through puberty?

Since I started the Comfortable In My Skin movement, the majority of people I photograph have, at some point in their life, been concerned with how their labia look. This might have been from younger years and comparing, from high school and first sexual experiences to pornography and the portrayal of vulvas in the media.

People have been fighting for the normalisation of vulvas for decades, and we honour their time and dedication to fighting for the internal reproductive system and genitalia!

Thankfully with easy access to social media, we can see that there is a movement of people normalising that all vulvas look different and that it is normal! Did you know that in Australia, there is a regulation for magazines to ensure that labia are airbrushed or drawn with only a single crease? They get an R18+ classification. Okay, back to the question at hand.

Is my vulva appearance genetic?

Short answer, no.

I am not a gynaecologist, so I did consult trusty Google for this one and found a great answer by Betty Dodson. According to Betty, your vulva appearance doesn’t seem to be genetic. Maybe you’re close with your mum or sister, if you feel brave, ask to see what their vulva looks like!

Does my vulva change in appearance?

Yes!

From the day you’re born, your vulva continues to grow and develop and will change in appearance. It also changes when you hit puberty, when you become pregnant, after you have babies and also when you reach menopause. These changes can be in thickness and colour; your clitoris can shrink and labia loosen. This is often because estrogen levels change and less blood flow goes to your vulva. This is all normal and part of life for a vulva owner!

Does my labia grow during puberty?

Yes!

Puberty is peak time when all your hormones are adjusting and finding their rhythm, so it is only natural that your vulva changes with it. This is completely normal; there is no wrong way to develop it.

Resources I used for this information:
ABC News Information
Gynae Centre UK
The Vagina Bible by Dr Jen Gunter

I hope this has helped you to become Comfortable In My Skin. If there’s anything I can recommend for you to do it would be the following:

• Browse through Flip Through My Flaps.
• Grab a mirror and look at yourself and show appreciation for your body.
• Book a session with me! Join the waitlist here.

Much love, Ellie xx

Have a question or story for Ellie? Submit here.