A groundbreaking survey by Comfortable In My Skin has revealed a widespread crisis of vulva anxiety among Australian women, exposing how societal pressures, medical misinformation, and lack of representation are influencing body image and healthcare decisions.

The study, based on responses from over 1,900 women, highlights the rise of vulva anxiety, a sharp rise in labiaplasty awareness and consideration, and systemic failures in delivering accessible, trustworthy women’s health education.

Key Statistics: A Snapshot of the Crisis

Vulva Anxiety and Appearance Pressure

• 64% of women have felt self-conscious or anxious about the appearance of their vulva
• 88% became aware of their vulva’s appearance before age 25
• Key sources of anxiety include:
  • Odor (56%)
  • Pubic hair (54%)
  • Labia size (49%)
• 65% say media representation and 58% say pornography influence how they feel about their vulva
• 36% have felt pressure to change their vulva from internal expectations or external sources like media and partners

Labiaplasty Consideration and Awareness

• 23% of women have considered labiaplasty, including:
  •  5% who have seriously considered it
  • 15% who have briefly thought about it
  • 3% who wanted the procedure but couldn’t afford it
• Of those women who were considering labiaplasty, 25% said it was due to aesthetic concerns, 9% to societal pressures, 6% due to medical discomfort such as pain or irritation and 3% due to partner expectations.

Vulva Representation and Education

• 81% of women say they rarely (58%) or never (23%) see diverse or realistic depictions of vulvas in media or education
• 98% believe there is not enough education or open discussion about vulvas in society

Health Education Gaps and Misinformation

• 72% of women report leaving medical appointments with unanswered questions
• 74% turn to Google or online forums for information, and 36% use social media
• Only 6% rate their current health information sources as highly trustworthy

Women’s Health Conditions

• 59% report experiencing mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, or PTSD
• 56% experience menstrual irregularities
• 17% have been diagnosed with or suspect they have endometriosis
• 16% live with chronic pelvic pain

Founder’s Call to Action: Let’s Talk About Vulvas

Ellie Sedgwick, founder of Comfortable In My Skin, says these numbers should be a wake-up call.

“The fact that so many women feel pressured to change their vulvas, often without a full understanding of what’s normal or medically necessary, is deeply concerning. The rise of labiaplasty is directly tied to a lack of education and representation. We need to normalise vulva diversity and empower women with real, shame-free information.”

Sedgwick’s book, Flip Through My Flaps: An Exploration of the Vulva, was created to help do exactly that. Through real stories, illustrations, and insights, the book is helping women reframe how they see their bodies and spark much-needed conversations.