Question: I found your site a few years ago when I searched for information regarding inner labia size. Your anatomy pages are great and helped me a lot! Since puberty I have had a big clitoris and large protruding, asymmetrical inner lips and was very ashamed of them. The pictures of other women with genitals like mine assured me that I was healthy!

However, I have a new problem now. I started having vaginal infections 3 years ago. As my infections didn't clear up after treatments for yeast and bacteria, and I had a positive HPV [human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted disease affecting 38-46% of young women.] test, my doctor said my immune system wasn't working properly and prescribed Isoprinosine. She said that my vaginal opening was "papyllarized" [papule/papular: a small superficial raised abnormality or spot on the skin] but did not speak about warts [a common indicator of HPV] or anything else that should be treated. However, 6 months ago my symptoms reoccurred worse than ever, and this time my clitoris and inner lips are more irritated (sensitive, reddened, itchy and painful) than the vagina. All tests are negative, but the condition is getting worse. On one side, the top of the inner lip (the one that has always been bigger) has grown about 1/2 cm (1/4 inch), and seems to have formed an adhesion with my clitoris. My clitoris is constantly irritated, very painful and about twice its normal size - I see it as if it were not able to slide back and rest under the clitoral hood as the adhesion to the inner lip is "pulling" it out. Two doctors have examined me and both say they don't see anything abnormal except for some inflammation. They don't seem to believe that the adhesion and growth are new. But I have pain and I do remember that my genitals did not look like this!

Do you know of an illness when inner labia could grow and bind with the clitoris?

Or is it normal for a woman that her genitals' size and form keep changing? (I am 27.) Is it possible that my inner labia are growing due to everyday irritation (which is almost impossible to avoid if you have big inner labia - I wear loose-fitting underwear but jeans, riding a bike etc. are a problem still.)

PLEASE give an advice - the pain and irritation means I can't even masturbate clitorally any more.

Answer: Labial adhesions are most common in preadolescent girls and post menopausal women. This is because they have lower levels of estrogen. You may want to have a doctor test your estrogen levels. Low estrogen levels may make you more susceptible to infections as your vulvar tissues would be thin and the necessary acidic level to ward off infection would not be present. Please see the information on Atrophic Vaginitis on the Health page. The treatment for labial adhesions is estrogen cream. Also see the information about Clitoral Adhesions.

Wearing tight fitting clothing is not beneficial for any women, but especially women with pronounced genital structures. Your inner labia and clitoris are not designed to handle the irritation and the trapped moisture and increased temperature can result in infections and irritation. Your body is not designed for the wearing of clothing, but rather to be nude, if we lived in warmer climates. I recommend dresses and skirts and nothing underneath if that is possible. Do not wear underwear to bed, only a nightshirt or sleep nude. Use only plain water to wash your vulva; soap can irritate the delicate mucous tissues. Do not apply anything to your vulva that you would not put in your mouth. Sanitary napkins can irritate the vulva, especially Always brand. For more information please see the information on Hygiene.

Yeast infections may affect only the clitoris and you may need to have a doctor culture this area. There are many different types of vaginal and vulvar infections. You may need to study up on them to ensure your doctor is pursuing all possible causes and solutions. Get a copy of all your lab reports from your doctor, you paid for them so they belong to you, and review what they say. Given the number of patients a doctors sees each day, they often have little time, unfortunately, to review individual cases. Find a doctor who will listen to your concerns and take them seriously. They should be willing to explain their answers and diagnosis.