Aunt Vadge: have I ruined my labia by masturbating?

TL;DR

A reader expresses concern over changes in her labia due to masturbation, fearing permanent damage. Aunt Vadge reassures, explaining the resilience of vaginal anatomy, the normalcy of variation, and offers practical advice for healing and care. She emphasizes the importance of perspective, the use of lube to reduce friction, and consulting a sexual health clinic for peace of mind.

Hi Aunt Vadge, 

I have been masturbating since class six. I’m 25 now. Unmarried. Recently I have noticed that my labia has separated. I think it tore many years ago.

Now during masturbating, it is painful, and I noticed it. I’m feeling scared. I’m trying to stop masturbating.

Two or three times I used pencils and 10-15 times used fingers, but that’s why it was hurting most of the time when I rubbed roughly. Maybe the tear causes due to the rough rubbing.

I was in class V when my cousin showed me how to masturbate. I did that because it was pleasurable. I had my first period in class VII. I was addicted up to class 10. I think it happened at that time. I never saw any blood. I noticed a slight tear, and my clit and labia junction was hurting whenever I rubbed there, but I ignored it. 

Maybe the tear area increased throughout these recent years. Recently I read some articles on the vagina, so I checked my vagina. It feels like it’s not normal, however, so I stopped rubbing there.

But I am feeling very nervous whenever I think what will happen in future? I will send you a picture.

Sincerely,
Scared
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Hi Scared,

Vigorous masturbating can cause the junctions between your inner labia and clitoral hood to tear, and if you repeatedly do that, it can stay that way because it simply never gets a chance to heal back the way it was, so it heals slightly separated.

This isn’t dangerous, but it would change the way your labia and clitoral hood look. It is unlikely to have occurred after masturbating just a few times, unless your anatomy meant that it did happen. We all have different labia and skin folds and flaps and joints.

What’s ‘normal’ and ‘not normal’ is very hard to determine since we very rarely look at other vaginas and vulvas. Take a look at the labia library, at some of the close-ups of labia and see if you can see all the variations.

Take a close-up photo of your own vagina (for your own purposes!) and look at it close-up from the front. Perspective is everything. We only ever see things from the top or awkwardly using a mirror from some distance. A photo allows a bit better vantage point.

If you are really worried, you can always go and see someone at a sexual health clinic (usually free), and they will be able to tell you straight away if something has gone wrong. They look at vaginas and penises all day long and know their stuff.

Write back with the diagram, and we’ll double-check for you.

Best,
Aunt Vadge

Photos emailed: looks normal!
_____

Thank you very much. I felt helpless. I learnt about labiaplasty, but I don’t want to go through that. In that case I will remember your advice. And thanks again. 🙂
______

Thanks for the photos. Everything looks ok to me! I think you will be just fine. Keep vigorous masturbating to a minimum!

Also, you could try masturbating with lube, so the skin glides instead of pulls. If you are really worried, go get checked, but you look perfectly normal to me. You do not need a labiaplasty!

Minor cuts and tears can be encouraged to heal well with a vulva and vagina-friendly cuts cream.

Write back anytime.

Warmest regards,
Aunt Vadge  



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