I was always comfortable with myself until I was in high school. I was with a couple of girl friends and we were searching images of vulvas online, and one of my friends pointed to a picture of one with a longer labia and said ‘Ew that vagina’s gross’. I quickly realized that that’s how my labia looks, and became self conscious and more aware that my vulva looked different than those girls online. Even though I was sexually active at that time with men and women, none of my partners ever commented on how my labia looked. I was still self conscious and even considered surgery to make it “prettier” and “normal” looking. As soon as I found out surgery can influence sensitivity of the clitoris, I knew that no matter how “gross” my vagina looked, I was never going to compromise sex for a “prettier” vulva. Since I found The Vulva Gallery, I have become empowered and learned to truly love my vulva - and I believe struggling to accept it has made me love it even more.

M. - 27 years old