Let’s talk about Labia Diversity

Societal pressures, fuelled by media and cultural taboos, often turn this natural diversity into a source of insecurity. Media rarely represents labia realistically, and when they do appear, they’re often altered to fit a narrow, unrealistic standard.

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In fact, Australian media laws (Guidelines for the Classification of Publications 2005 3) state the following for unrestricted publications: Realistic depictions of sexualised nudity should not be high in impact. Realistic depictions may contain discreet genital detail but there should be no genital emphasis. Prominent and/or frequent realistic depictions of sexualised nudity containing genitalia will not be permitted.

Cultural silence adds to this issue, leaving many to question if they’re “normal.” Cosmetic procedures like labiaplasty have further reinforced harmful ideas about how labia should look, perpetuating the idea that some appearances are preferable over others.

The result? Some people feel self-conscious or dissatisfied with their anatomy, even when there’s nothing medically or functionally wrong. This can impact body image, intimacy, and overall confidence. But we can change this narrative by embracing education, challenging societal norms, and celebrating the natural diversity of our bodies.