Feb 23rd, 2020

How Does a Woman’s Labia Change over Her Lifespan?

The vulva, which consists of the labia majora and labia minor and vagina, changes over time. When a young woman is in her teens, she is undergoing puberty and all sorts of changes start to occur. She will notice the growth of hair on the labia majora, the outer set of skin flaps on the vagina and a thickening of the skin tissue.

The labia minora will not get hair but can start to thicken as subcutaneous fat fills the inner set of skin flaps on the vagina. While these changes are going on, other changes are also occurring elsewhere in the body like the development of breasts.

Labia Changes in Her 20s

Puberty will be over, and most of your female parts will have matured into their adult sizes. However, the labia majora is still developing. It is not uncommon for there to be some labia shrinking and slimming as subcutaneous fat levels continue to decrease after puberty.

Labia Changes in Her 30s

Once a woman starts to have children or reaches her 30s, she will notice there is a darkening to the skin flaps of the labia minora. This is normal and nothing to worry about. If you dislike the grayness of the skin, this is a good time to talk to a board-certified cosmetic surgeon to see if there are any options to make the skin flaps look more natural and youthful.

Labia Changes in Her 40s

Women will start to notice that their menstrual cycles are becoming shorter and shorter. This is because the egg supply in the ovaries is declining. If you haven’t had children yet, and still want one of your own, you need to act quickly, when in your early 40s, before your eggs and fertility clock run out.

Weight fluctuations from the time you were a teen to now can also start to become more noticeable in the labia majora and labia minora. The skin flaps can start to look like they are different sizes and shapes. One side can appear elongated and loose while the other side can look normal.

Labia Changes in Her 50s

The 50s are normally when most women start to enter menopause. The body is producing less estrogen. As a result, the tissues in the vagina become less elastic and thinner. The clitoris, vagina, and labia shrinkage are all common. The color of the labia majora and labia minor can also change. Due to these changes, women feel self-conscious about their vagina’s look.

Labia Changes in Her 60s

Post-menopausal years can continue to cause labia shrinkage and color changes. Hair loss from the labia majora is also common, as it turns gray, then white, and eventually falls out. Women can find their vaginas are dry and itchy, due to a lack of lubrication being made by the body. Yet, maintaining regular intercourse can help avoid dryness and itchiness, as the body will increase lubrication production.

Changes over Time

Throughout a woman’s lifetime, her vagina, vulva, labia, and body will undergo many different changes. Understanding how your body can change and when can help put you at ease and help you decide when cosmetic procedures, like a labiaplasty, are beneficial for restoring a youthful appearance.

Labiaplasty can be performed at any time, from the 20s on, if a woman notices her labia majora or labia minora has excess skin, skin that sags, or other issues that make her feel uncomfortable or experience pain.

For further information about labia reduction labiaplasty surgery and other cosmetic procedures to enhance your appearance, please feel free to contact Grossman Plastic Surgery at (818) 981-2050 to schedule an initial consultation today!