What Causes A “Fat” Vaginal Area And Is This Normal? - Healthline

Maybe your like

HealthlineSubscribe

Sexual Health

What Causes a ‘Fat’ Vaginal Area and Is This Normal?

Medically reviewed by Stacy A. Henigsman, DO — Written by Corinne O'Keefe Osborn — Updated on September 5, 2024

Average size
Size fluctuation
Labia
FUPA
Reduction techniques
Medical care

Your vaginal area is unique. Vaginas — or, more accurately, vulvas and all their components — come in different shapes, sizes, and colors.

Many people worry that their vaginal area doesn’t look “normal,” but there really is no normal. The only “normal” out there is what’s normal for you. And unless your normal involves pain or discomfort, everything is likely fine.

Still unsure? Take a look at these pictures of real vulvas to get a sense of how varied genitalia can really be, and read on to learn more.

In pop culture
For Vogue’s September 2018 issue, Beyoncé granted a rare as-told-to interview, getting candid about body image, pregnancy, motherhood, and more. When discussing her relationship with her post-pregnancy body, the singer declared that “right now, my little FUPA and I feel like we are meant to be.” FUPA is used to describe excess fat in the upper pubic area — above your pubic hair but below your belly button.

What’s the average size?

When people mention a “fat vagina,” they’re usually referring to the fleshy area above the labia (mons pubis). Unless you go bare, your mons pubis area is typically home to your pubic hair.

Its primary purpose is to provide cushioning for you and your sexual partners so that you don’t crack your pelvic bone when you’re, you know, boning. It also protects from other injury.

The size of your mons pubis depends on your overall body weight and type. People with different body types accumulate fat in different areas, so there really is no average.

Sometimes this term is used in reference to fleshier outer lips (labia majora) or excess skin in the upper pubic area (FUPA).

Like the mons pubis, inner and outer labia have dozens of natural variations. All are normal and are what make your vulva uniquely yours.

The same can be said for the upper pubic area. Although the area below your belly button is usually fleshy and soft, it ultimately depends on your overall body weight and type.

Can the size of your mons pubis fluctuate?

The mons pubis is a naturally fatty area. When you gain weight, more fat deposits can gather in this location.

In some cases, your hormones may be to blame. You may notice that the size of your mons pubis and overall vaginal area varies according to where you are in your menstrual cycle.

Possible triggers include:

puberty
period
pregnancy
perimenopause
menopause

Although hormones do play a role, considerable weight gain is typically associated with individual lifestyle factors, including overall diet and physical activity.

About 2 out of every 3 U.S. women have overweight or obesity. As skin stretches, you may notice changes to your body that you didn’t expect, such as an expanding vulva.

This area may remain pronounced even if you lose a significant amount of weight. Unless the weight is lost in the pelvic area, your mons pubis may still protrude more than before.

Targeted weight loss may not return the skin to its previous state. Procedures like gastric bypass surgery may leave behind a “pooch” or result in drooping skin above the pelvic area.

Can the size of your mons pubis size affect your labia type?

If you gain or lose weight in your stomach, the look and shape of your stomach changes. The same can be said for your vulva.

Weight changes affecting the mons pubis can sometimes lead to changes in the outer labia. If the shape of your outer labia changes, your vulva may look different than it did before.

For example, you may find that your:

outer lips look puffier
outer lips hang lower than before
inner lips are no longer exposed

What’s the difference between a thick mons pubis and FUPA?

Although these terms are often used to refer to the same area of skin, they aren’t interchangeable.

Your mons pubis is the area directly above your labia — no higher, no lower. This is where the bulk of your pubic hair grows.

Your upper pubic area, on the other hand, is basically your lower stomach. It’s the area above your pubic hair but below your belly button.

Some people use the term “FUPA” to describe excess skin in the upper pubic area, particularly if it hangs or sags above the mons pubis.

Is it possible to reduce the size of your mons pubis or upper pubic area?

Although adopting a new exercise routine is often more accessible, it’s impossible to determine whether doing so will lead to weight loss in a certain area. It all depends on your weight and overall body type.

Because of this, many people opt for liposuction, a surgical procedure used to remove excess fat in specific locations.

Exercise

Regular exercise can help you lose weight and gain muscle tone. You may be surprised to find that the size of your mons pubis naturally decreases as your weight goes down.

You can also do exercises that target the lower pelvic area. Building muscle tone in the lower pelvis can help pull the mons pubis upward, creating a smoother appearance.

In addition to a regular cardio routine, try the following lower ab exercises. Aim for 3 sets, each with 25 reps, 4 times per week.

To do a V pull:

Start on your back with legs out straight and arms overhead.
Lift your legs up high and try to touch your toes.
Return to the starting position.

This is 1 rep.

To do mountain climbers:

Start in a plank position.
Quickly bring one knee up toward your chest, then land back down on your toes.
Bring the other knee toward your chest and land back down on your toes.

This is 1 rep.

To do plank jacks:

Start in a plank position.
Jump both legs out and in (like jumping jacks).

This is 1 rep.

It takes time to lose weight and build muscle, so be patient with yourself. It may take at least 3 to 4 months before you begin to see results.

Nonsurgical procedures

CoolSculpting and truSculpting both target pockets of stubborn fat. However, they use different nonsurgical techniques to break up fat cells and encourage your body to eliminate them naturally.

These procedures work best on minor bulges. They aren’t considered weight loss solutions, and they don’t eliminate excess skin.

These procedures are considered cosmetic and aren’t covered by insurance.

Surgical procedures

To do a pubic lift (monoplasty), your surgeon will use a combination of liposuction and excision techniques to remove unwanted pockets of fat and excess skin.

This procedure is often performed in conjunction with an abdominoplasty. Both procedures are considered cosmetic and will not be covered by insurance.

Your recovery time depends on the exact techniques used. Your surgeon can tell you more about what to expect during recovery.

When to consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional

If you’re concerned about the size of your pubic area, make an appointment with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

They can answer any questions you have and may help you feel more at ease with the overall appearance.

If you want to learn more about reduction, they can refer you to a plastic surgeon or other specialist to discuss your options.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Are my labia normal? (n.d.).http://www.labialibrary.org.au/your-labia/are-my-labia-normal/
Hunter JG. (2015). Labia minora, labia majora, and clitoral hood alteration: Experience-based recommendations.https://academic.oup.com/asj/article/36/1/71/2613971
Labia. (2021).https://youngwomenshealth.org/guides/labia/
Lykkebo AW, et al. (2017). The size of labia minora and perception of genital appearance: A cross-sectional study.https://journals.lww.com/jlgtd/abstract/2017/07000/the_size_of_labia_minora_and_perception_of_genital.8.aspx
McFadden BL, et al. (2014). Do measurements of external genitalia correlate with body image among women with pelvic floor dysfunction?https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1553465013014544
Self-exam: Vulva and vagina. (2022).https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/self-exam-vulva-and-vagina/
Weight and obesity. (2021).https://www.womenshealth.gov/healthy-weight/weight-and-obesity

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Stacy A. Henigsman, DO — Written by Corinne O'Keefe Osborn — Updated on September 5, 2024

Health Conditions

Condition Spotlight

Wellness Topics

Product Reviews

Featured Programs

Featured

Lessons

Newsletters

Lifestyle Quizzes

Health News

This Just In

Top Reads

Video Series

Find Your Bezzy Community

Follow us on social media

Sexual Health

What’s the average size?

Can the size of your mons pubis fluctuate?

Can the size of your mons pubis size affect your labia type?

What’s the difference between a thick mons pubis and FUPA?

Is it possible to reduce the size of your mons pubis or upper pubic area?

Exercise

Nonsurgical procedures

Surgical procedures

When to consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional

How we reviewed this article:

Read this next

Contact