Girly Bits

[dramaqueen_23]

As predicted, I coughed my way through yesterday's cunillingus workshop. Fortunately, the students seemed unaffected by my viral state. They were an enthusiastic bunch of kids, who participate enthusiastically and asked really good questions

Comments

[starfishchick]

<>So we told them women's vulvas vary a great deal in appearance and that the plump, tight, even lips you see in pornography are often the result of labiaplasty.

I didn't know that! EW.

Several men didn't know that women had pubic hair.

Ack.

So I was glad that we had the discussion with those kids. And I was glad that may have dispelled a few body myths for them.

And I was sad because I know that there are a lot of people who will be hurt, shamed and frustrated because they have unrealistic expectations of what they or their partner should look like.

That is saddening, and maddening, too. But I'm glad that you were there to discuss this with them and educate them. (And us!)

[sugarmommaless]

Do you really think that labiaplasty is common in the porn industry? When I was a porn reader for Customs 7 years ago, I was reading porn which was from the early 1990s to 2003 and there wasn't much change in the pussies of the performers. There was a bit of change in the bush hair trimming, but the labia minora/majora remained consistent

[dramaqueen_23]

Huston is a famous porn star who had labiaplasty around 2002. It was a big deal and was talked about a lot in the industry. (In fact, she sold off the trimmed bits on the Internet, encased in acrylic! ew ew eeeeew!!)

Really? EW!

My think about the porn industry is that I think they have a sort of "natural selection" going on. They select models based on their external looks, and the shape of their puss is a part of that.

Hmmm...you may be right. I'll have to look into it more thoroughly. I was flipping through a recent issue of New Beauty, which claimed that more and more women were resorting to vulvovaginal reconstruction, likely as a direct result of the porn industry. But it's similar to the way the "Hollywood Standard" makes people feel pressured to look a certain way. Most of those actors are naturally slender people, chosen (at least in part) because of those looks. Seeing them all the time leads to a false sense of homogeneity and prompts people to acheive that standard by artificial means.

[sugarmommaless]

From what I understood, vaginoplasty is sold as "vaginal rejuvenation" surgery. They tighten you up and make you less dangly/wrinkled/droopy/plump/whatever (inner labe, or outer labe which may be less taught as fat deposition and collagen have changed.)

I totally think that the porn standard of beauty, and that of the fashion industry, need more variety. The appearance of homogeneity, when it isn't representative of the real situation, is definitely harmful.

I suggest *not* doing a google image search for Huston's snipped labia. I had to see them, but I don't suggest it unless you're on the government clock.

[dramaqueen_23]

I suggest *not* doing a google image search for Huston's snipped labia. I had to see them, but I don't suggest it unless you're on the government clock.

Aw, crap. Now the imp in my brain is chanting "Do it! Dooo eeet!"

[hardcormier]

"Several men didn't know that women had pubic hair."

What!?! That doesn't make any sense. Where were these guys in grade 9 health class? Admittedly I had some strange ideas about the mechanics of how women were put together when I was younger (mostly due to reading far too much flowery erotica) but I was sorted out by the time I turned 18.

Clearly you need to make this an annual event.

[dramaqueen_23]

Clearly you need to make this an annual event.

It is!

in the TMI department...

[velvetmae]

I've actually been considering some cosmetic surgery *down there*. One side of my labium minor hangs lower than my outer labia, and it gets quite uncomfortable when it snags on my undies. i was thinking of getting it snipped. Not for cosmetic reasons, its just really annoying. Do you know anyone who's had any work done to their outer girly bits?

Re: in the TMI department...

[dramaqueen_23]

I don't know anyone personally, but I could ask around and see if any of my work-related connections pan out.

I kind of have the same thing, except my long lip doesn't cause me any discomfort.

[bruiseblue]

Good for you

[dramaqueen_23]

Unless all young girls shave completely bald these days, which wouldn't surprise me a bit, what with the exposed thongs and all.

A lot of the younger women I act with or see at the gym have no pubes. I don't have a problem if someone is motivated to go bare because of their own sense of aesthetics. But I think everyone should be aware that it's neither natural nor necessary.

I'm sure what the prevalence of vulvular symmetry is. No one in my life that I've spoken to about it is neat and even, so my guess is that it is, as you say uncommon. We're walking a bit of a fine line in these workshops and try really hard to be inclusive and empahsize acceptance without marginalizing anyone. I don't want the one woman in the crowd who might have plump, symmetrical labia to walk away feeling like she is the freak.

Do you know that self-pleasure manifesto book from the early 80s, possibly earlier? It had all of those line drawings of mirror-views of woman parts, and the range is astonishing.I *think* I know what book you're referring

[bruiseblue]

I'm pretty plump and symmetrical, but I hate my nipples (90% of the time) so it all evens out in the end.

:)

[rpriske]

I have heard from some of my younger friends that 'shaving' completely has become standard.

One fellow even told me that the thought of pubic hair on a woman was 'gross'.

Things change. They will change back because the only thing consistant is change.