What is an "outie" vagina?

Everyone compares themselves to others on some level; it may be human nature. However, our tendency to compare may quickly go awry when you include the internet in general and mainstream porn in particular.

For example, some people fear that their "outie vagina" is strange in some way when they compare it to representations of other vaginas.

What is an "outie" vagina?

Although the terms "innies" and "outies" are usually used to refer to cutesy belly buttons, they have been appropriated to refer to two distinct "types" of vaginas, or more precisely, vulvas. The term "vulva" refers to the exterior, visible portions of your genitals, such as your labia, also known as your lips, whereas the vagina is entirely internal.

The phrase "outie vagina," albeit incorrect, describes a situation in which the labia minora (inner lips) are longer and protrude from the labia majora (outer lips). Therefore, an "innie vagina" occurs when the outside lips protrude more than the inner lips.

Outies are 100% normal, pretty standard, and gorgeous as they are

Fact: Before the advent of online porn, vulva users did not have easy access to images of so many other vulvas. Even while it's easy peasy to spend your entire day staring at vulvas these days, their portrayal is neither inclusive nor even comparable to the kinds of vulvas that exist in the real world. Genital shapes and types are typically minimal—mainstream at best—much like the body types that receive the majority of depiction.

Although they aren't often portrayed, outies are very typical. Outies might be the most prevalent kind of vagina! A 2017 study found that over 56% of vulva sufferers might experience an "outie." Despite this, outies were present in 73.3% of individuals who said they felt their genitalia were "abnormal."

Without a doubt, the vagina shame epidemic is to blame for all of this. For whatever reason, people with bulging inner labia frequently feel self-conscious in today's society. It's probably safe to blame mainstream porn, as well as people who shame their spouses for looking "different" since they can't tell the difference between the two.

Vulvas are beautiful, and they all have different looks.

Regarding size, shape, and color, vulvas can differ significantly. Having an enormous clitoris, asymmetrical or protruding inner or outer labia, or any number of other distinctive characteristics is entirely natural. Your vulva is likely delicious daily unless you detect a big difference from the average or are in pain or irritated.

This just in: the shape of your genitalia should not have any bearing whatsoever on your sense of value as a sexual being and as a person.

Does having an "outie" change how sex feels? 

The size of your labia is unlikely to have an impact on the sensations you get from sex, even though your outer lips do play a significant role.

In the same vein, regular nonsexual activities like athletics are unlikely to be hampered by an outie vagina. Rarely, labial hypertrophy—a condition in which the labia minora are noticeably more prominent than usual—occasionally leads to irritation or infection. However, the majority of people feel uncomfortable or ashamed of the way their vulvas seem.

Don't you dare get a labiaplasty?

Unfortunately, some people seek out cosmetic labiaplasty, a procedure that plastic surgeons offer to decrease and modify the labia minora, because they feel so strange and ashamed about the way their labia seem.

In 2019, 164,667 labiaplasties were performed globally, representing a 24.1% increase over 2018 and a 73.3% increase over 2015. The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons reported in 2017 that between 2012 and 2017, the number of labiaplasty requests rose by 217.2 percent. In 2019, labiaplasty ranked as the fifteenth most common plastic surgery operation performed on female patients. These numbers are a massive underestimation because reports on procedures carried out in the private sector are voluntary.

If all of that wasn't startling enough, a large number of patients seeking the procedure are younger than 18 (yes, this is legal) and have not yet reached their full sexual or emotional maturity.

Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, a clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at Yale, is one of the people who expressed her worries.

She notes that obtaining a labiaplasty for aesthetic reasons can be risky. Still, she adds that "the vast majority of people looking for labiaplasties don't have anything to worry about."

"Surgeries are surgeries. Any operation might result in an infection, and I think it's kind of dumb to run the chance of experiencing severe discomfort for performing a completely unneeded treatment.

The lesson learned is that there are no reasons to think about having a labiaplasty unless you have a medical problem that could endanger your health.

Loving yourself as you are leads to better sex

Feeling secure in your vulva and loving it go hand in hand, just like with your body in general. You care more about something when you love it, which leads to more satisfaction. Your sexual health, self-esteem, and those critical intersections between the two may suffer if you're always concerned about how your vulva compares to the "perfect" vulva portrayed in popular porn. To put it another way, having a lovely (indeed, wonderful) sex life while detesting your pleasure dome can be pretty tricky.

There are plenty of delectable resources available to those who are interested in learning how to feel more at ease with the way your vulva looks:

The purpose of the Laida Library's anatomy information and varied vulva photo gallery is to show that there is no "right" or "normal" way to appear like a vulva.

Anyone who wishes to witness a realistic variety of distinct yet typical vulva appearances can check out The Great Wall of Vagina—imagine plaster casts of more than 400 vulvas.

The New View Campaign provides non-medicalized information about a range of acceptable sexual expressions.

You can also learn to love yourself and your vulva by:

Masturbation. One of the best ways to become more at ease, familiar, receptive, and loving with your body is to indulge yourself while maintaining an exploratory mindset routinely.

Therapy. It may also be beneficial to discuss your feelings with a qualified therapist (maybe a sex therapist) to feel more at ease with the way your vulva looks. Additionally, some people discover that talking to their partner about their concerns helps to reduce needless anxiety.

In summary, if you've been unsure if your labia is typical but hadn't indeed considered it until recently, the answer is yes. There is a problem with your relationship if they make you feel uncomfortable about your vulva. You've arrived at the perfect place if you need loving advice to help you better appreciate every part of yourself (see the following options!) Get a mirror and start examining if you're merely unsure if your vagina is an innie or an outie, sweetie. You never know what fascinating gems you might discover.