Female genital appearance: "normality" unfolds.
OBJECTIVE
To describe variations in genital dimensions of normal women.


METHODS
Observational cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital, University College Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK.


METHODS
Fifty premenopausal women having gynaecological procedures not involving the external genitalia under general anaesthetic.


METHODS
A cross sectional study using digital photography and measurements of the external genitalia.


METHODS
Clitoral size, labial length and width, colour and rugosity, vaginal length, distance from clitoris to urethral orifice, distance from posterior fourchette to anterior anal margin.


RESULTS
A wide range of values were noted for each measurement. There was no statistically significant association with age, parity, ethnicity, hormonal use or history of sexual activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Women vary widely in genital dimensions. This information should be made available to women when considering surgical procedures on the genitals, decisions for which must be carefully considered between surgeon and woman.
Lloyd
Jillian
J
Department of Gynaecology, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital, University College London Hospitals, Huntley Street, London WC1E 6AU, UK.
Crouch
Naomi S
NS
Minto
Catherine L
CL
Liao
Lih-Mei
LM
Creighton
Sarah M
SM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017697:Premenopause; D014621:Vagina / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014844:Vulva / Q000033:anatomy & histology*