In gynecology, your female genitalia includes the labia, which is Latin for "lips." For obvious reasons, female labia was so named for its appearance; it looks like your other set of lips. Like the lips on your mouth, your labia can also have some abnormalities. Women who pay attention to their labia often see things or feel things that seem "off." Some things should be troublesome while others are not. Here is a guide for spotting and deciphering abnormalities of your labia.

Drooping Low

As you age, you will find that most of your body loses its natural fullness and curves. Your labia will also change, especially after having children. As you approach your sixties and seventies, your labia will begin to sag with the rest of you. It is not uncommon to see labia do this. However, if you have never had children and your labia and you are barely forty, sagging labia could be a sign of hormonal imbalance. You should check with your gynecologist to be sure.

Raised Bumps on the Interiors of Your Labia

Women who do not masturbate or do not have a sex partner usually do not discover this abnormality. While some raised bumps on the moist interior sides of your labia are normal, large bumps that were not there before are not normal. Some of these bumps may come and go with your hormonal and menstrual cycles, in which case, you are fine.

Others may stay and feel large or hurt when touched. In that case, you could have genital warts or a rare form of cancer. If you are able, use a hand mirror to examine the bumps you can feel with your fingers. Then make an appointment with your gynecologist to have the bumps more closely examined.

Almost Non-Existent Labia or Lack of a Clitoral Hood

Your labia start at your clitoris and provide the clitoral hood to protect this female sexual organ. The rest of the labia are your first line of defense against urinary tract infections and vaginal infections. Labia that are almost non-existent leave your clitoris, your urinary tract, and your vagina exposed to infections. You may have had labia like this your whole life and not even know that it was the cause of the infections you experienced. A plastic surgeon can correct this issue.

If you have no clitoral hood at all, you might experience constant arousal as a direct result of your clothes rubbing against the clitoris. This, while it is normal in a sense, can be extremely distracting. An OBGYN, like George L Stankevych, MD, can suggest some ways in which you can deal with this, or offer surgery if it is a major problem.

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