For rubbing in clothes
- Loose cotton underwear, or seam-free styles
- Avoiding tight jeans and thong styles on bad days
- A plain barrier ointment, with no perfume, where things rub
- Washing with plain water only: soaps and scented products dry and irritate the skin
For exercise and cycling
Padded cycling shorts with a good chamois, worn without underwear, stop most rubbing on the bike. A saddle with a cut-out or a wider nose takes pressure off. For running and the gym, seam-free leggings and moisture-wicking underwear help. Change out of damp kit soon after.
Get any soreness checked
If you have itching, soreness, a discharge, a lump or a change in the skin, see your GP first. A treatable condition, such as thrush or a skin condition of the vulva, can cause the discomfort people put down to the size of their labia. Your GP can refer you to a gynaecologist if needed.
Laser and radiofrequency
Clinics sell laser and radiofrequency treatments as "vaginal rejuvenation". They don't reduce the size of the labia. In 2018 the US Food and Drug Administration warned that these devices hadn't been approved for that use, and that it had found cases of burns, scarring, pain during sex and long-lasting pain after them.
Fillers and fat
Filler or fat injections are sometimes used to add volume to the outer lips. They don't make the inner lips smaller, and they wear off.
Talking it through
If how your labia look is weighing on you more than any discomfort, talking to your GP or a counsellor can help. The UK's NHS suggests the same before anyone considers surgery. It isn't a way of saying no; it helps you decide.
Questions people ask
Is there a non-surgical labiaplasty?
No. Laser, radiofrequency and fillers don't reduce the inner lips. Only surgery does.
Can exercises reduce the labia?
No. The labia aren't muscle, so exercise doesn't change their size.
What helps labia rubbing when cycling?
Padded cycling shorts worn without underwear, a saddle with a cut-out, and changing out of damp kit soon after.
Does laser vaginal tightening work for the labia?
No. It doesn't reduce the labia, and the US FDA has warned about burns, scarring and pain after these treatments.