Everything You Need to Know About the Labia Majora
Elizabeth Yuko
They’re the most visible external parts of the vulva, and yet there’s still a lot we don’t know about the labia majora. There are a few different reasons for this, but it largely comes down to centuries of the medical field ignoring women’s bodies, a lack of adequate sex education and the fact that many people are uncomfortable discussing vulvovaginal health.
But not everything about the labia majora is a mystery. Flow Space spoke with three OB-GYNs to get the lowdown on the labia majora—including what it does and why it’s important—as well as what we still don’t know about them.
What Are the Labia Majora?
The labia majora are the outermost structures of the female genitalia, says Dr. Angela Wilson, an OB-GYN at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care. “They are made of fatty tissue and thus are typically larger and plumper than the inner labia minora,” she explains.
The labia majora appear as two thick vertical skin folds, running from the mons pubis to the anus, says Dr. Sweta Patel, an OB-GYN and physician manager at OB-GYN Associates of Advantia. They’re covered with skin and hair follicles, Wilson adds.
What Is the Function of the Labia Majora?
The labia majora primarily serve as protection, shielding the vaginal opening, clitoris, urethra and labia minora from friction, infection and environmental irritants, says Dr. Somi Javaid, an OB-GYN, founder of HerMD and member of the plusOne Wellness Collective. “They act like eyelids for the vulva, protecting sensitive tissues,” she explains. According to Patel, this is possible because of the labia majora’s large tissue deposits and pubic hair. “Without the protection of the labia majora, there would be an increased chance of bacteria and debris entering the vaginal and urethral openings, increasing the risk of infection,” she notes.
Beyond being a barrier, the labia majora play a role in sensation and sexual function, housing nerve endings and blood vessels, Javaid says.
They also help to lubricate other parts of the vulva, Patel says. “Sweat and sebaceous glands within the labia majora produce lubricating secretions that help keep the vulva moist and contribute to sexual pleasure,” she explains.
Plus, the sweat and oil glands help maintain skin health and support the vulva’s microbiome, Javaid says.
How Do the Labia Majora Change Over the Years?
Like the labia minora, the labia majora changes throughout a person’s lifetime, starting during puberty. “With the onset of puberty and increased estrogen, the labia become more plump and hair growth in the area begins,” Wilson explains. During this time, pubic hair will appear on the labia majora, and they often become darker in color, Patel says.
In the reproductive years, the labia majora stay plump and elastic, Javaid explains. Another significant size increase happens during pregnancy and delivery, Patel adds.
With the onset of menopause, there may be less hair growth and the labia majora may become smaller in size, Wilson says. After menopause, skin tissue all over your body starts to weaken, or atrophy, Patel explains, “This change is also reflected in the labia majora, where the skin becomes less elastic, more sensitive and can feel dry and irritated,” she notes. “The barrier the labia majora provided is now weaker and can lead to an increased risk of infection, as well as dryness and pain with sexual activity.”
If this is all news to you, you’re not alone. “These changes are normal, but many women don’t know what to expect because it’s rarely discussed,” Javaid says.
What Don’t We Know About the Labia Majora?
Unfortunately, like the clitoris, labia minora, vulvar vestibule (which is inside the labia minora) and the entire area around the urethra, there’s still a lot we don’t know about the labia majora. “Many aspects of women’s health, including the labia majora, have historically been under-researched due to longstanding gender biases in medical research,” Patel explains.
So what, exactly, don’t we know? “
“We don’t fully understand the role of the labia majora in pelvic floor mechanics, especially during activities like childbirth and sexual activity,” Patel says. We also lack comprehensive data on what labia majora look like across different races, ages, and body types, and research on how hormonal shifts or sexual activity impact them, Javaid explains. “This gap leaves many women feeling confused or ashamed about their bodies,” she says.
Additionally, conditions like vulvodynia, or certain dermatological conditions that affect the labia majora, are often misdiagnosed or poorly studied, Patel notes. “This leaves gaps in treatment and management options for these conditions,” she explains.
Ultimately, more research on the labia majora is needed to improve women’s health, ensure accurate diagnoses and advance understanding of sexual and pelvic well-being related to this vital organ, according to Patel.
But here’s something we do know about the labia majora: there’s no “normal” when it comes to appearance.
“Size, shape, color and symmetry vary widely, and that’s perfectly healthy,” Javaid says. “Unfortunately, most people grow up without seeing accurate representations of vulvas, leading to unnecessary shame. Normalizing this diversity empowers people to embrace and care for their bodies without judgment.”
