One of the most common questions that sex educators get asked is “Is my pussy normal?” Many people feel worried or unsure about the appearance of their vulva.

Simply stated — yes, your pussy is normal.  

What does a healthy pussy look like?

The problem is that there are few places to see images of what vulvas look like in all their diversity. So when you’ve only got your own (and perhaps those you’ve seen in porn) to look at it’s easy to have an unclear idea of what a normal pussy looks like.‍

The main parts of the vulva are the outer labia (where hair grows), the inner labia, the clitoris, and the vaginal entrance. Vulvas come in many shapes, colors, and sizes. In truth, no two pussies are alike and every pussy is normal. 

Is my labia normal?

Outer labia vary in size, thickness, and color. Inner labia may be hidden under the outer labia, or may be longer than the outer labia, and they may be thin, thick, and the skin commonly has folds. The color of the inner labia can vary widely, is often darker than the rest of a person’s skin, and can deepen in color when arousal is happening

Pussy appearance changes with arousal

The labia and clitoris are made out of erectile tissue filled with nerve endings. So, when blood flows to these juicy bits, they can enlarge (much like a penis). This means the appearance can change quite a lot during different stages of sexual excitement. 

“Is my pussy normal?”

Pussy coloration varieties are vast and individual. When blood flows to the genitals during sexual arousal, thickness, size, and color may all change. When the inner lips become engorged, nerve endings become accessible and there is more sensation. Also, if you go for the waxed look, genitals may appear larger and inner labia are more visible without pubic hair. 

What’s a “normal” pussy anyway?

Who decides what’s “normal” anyway?

While there are hundreds of studies about penis size and variety, there are only a handful of studies about vulvas. These studies primarily sampled white women, excluded older persons and those who underwent FGM (female genital mutilation), so they are fairly limited in scope.

It’s time to get a better idea of what diverse vulvas look like.

Due to insecurities and incorrect information about what pussies should look like, labiaplasty — a plastic surgery procedure that reduces the length of the labia minora — is getting more popular. Labiaplasty surgery rose by 39% in 2016, making it the fastest growing cosmetic procedure in the world. 

Pussy confidence

It’s time to get a better idea of what diverse vulvas look like and get a true sense of the range of appearances that are normal and healthy. Here are three things you can do to boost your knowledge of vulva anatomy.‍

1. Look at pictures of diverse vulvas‍

There are few places to view other vulvas that accurately show the variation of what is normal. The more we see, the more we can learn to appreciate all vulvas! Check out the Vagina Dispatches and the Vulva Gallery for starters.‍

2. Use a mirror to look at your own pussy‍

Looking at your own vulva will help you get familiar with your body and how it looks. Unlike penises, vulvas are not as easily visible. One way to solve this problem is to use a mirror to view the vulva.‍

3. Learn how vulva appearance changes with arousal‍

Understanding how the coloration and size of the labia change with arousal is important for getting an accurate sense of what’s normal.

The bottom line is that there’s a lot of variation in what constitutes a normal vulva. It might be better to take the word “normal” out of the equation, when we speak about vulvas, and just accept that there are a lot of different ways a healthy vulva can look.