Dear me87,

There isn't a specific color the vulva should be. Every woman's vulva — external female sex organ — is made up of the same parts, but each person's looks different! And different is "normal," even though a lot of people worry that their genitals don't look "normal." But there is a wide variety of normal colors and other appearances of a vulva.

The outer labia (lips) are two folds of skin and fatty tissue that are covered with pubic hair after puberty. They basically stretch over the rest of the vulva. They can be large or small, short or long, and even (like breasts) two different sizes. They can be sexually sensitive and can swell a little when a woman gets turned on.

The inner labia (lips) are more sensitive and swell a lot when a woman is aroused. These folds of skin begin at the clitoral hood and go to below the vaginal opening. Some people think they look like wings. The inner labia can be different sizes and shapes, too. Sometimes they stick out from between, and hang below, the outer labia. They can be wrinkled or smooth.

The inner labia can vary in color from pink to brownish black depending on the color of a woman's skin. Like nipples, the inner labia can change color as women mature. This is all normal and it's what makes each woman different!

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.