Umm...personal question about appearance of the neo-vagina/vulva

[Beth Andrea]

I've seen a lot of pictures of Dr-provided post-op vulvas (the outside portion of the neo-vagina) but most of them are with the legs together or slightly apart. Of course, we can assume that only the best results are shown.

However, except for those in porn movies, I've never seen one actually being manipulated. As we all know, everyone has their "good side" used in static images, but a video shows a LOT more nuances and details that a single photo cannot show.

At the risk of triggering (or creating) regrets in those who are post-op, what is the...err...how can I ask this delicately?

Let's start with what made me think of this question: Adult movies showing post-op MtFs.

There aren't very many examples of post-ops (most of them are pre-op), but of those I've seen most of the labia majora appears...loose, like a scrotum that's been deflated (for lack of a better description). There appears to be a lack of plumpness commonly seen in real life (I've seen a few cis vulvas, btw). Yes, there is a wide variance of how "filled out" the labia majora is, but dayum the MtF ones look completely stripped out of the underlying tissue which gives cis vulvas some form.

Because of this, the labia appears not as a distinct rise (even cis vulvas can have a minimal rise, however none show zero elevation gain or even a decline, unlike a couple MtF vulvas). Some of the labia majora resemble a large blister that has been drained, but still covered by skin (based on the appearance when manipulated by fingertips).

The labia minora has a similar limpness to it, like the skin is too thin to properly support its weight. Again, cis vulvas have a wide variance, and I have seen one where the labia is very thin relative to my other experiences.

The vaginal opening on one MtF was clearly below the labia. Keeping in mind that cis women don't always "line up" regarding their various body parts, this could be normal, but the introitus was also more funnel-shaped than on cis.

Overall, the entire assembly appeared...loose, like the muscles hadn't quite grown to fill in the gaps.

The clits (clitorises? Clitorii?) appeared to be about the right size, but the length of the hood seemed excessive in two cases (adult movies)

I'm asking for post-op descriptions (I would not be so bold as to ask for photos and videos) that describes how the vulva compares to the concerns I have. Were these descriptions present for just a while, or several months? Still there after years? Were they never there? Have you experienced a cis-woman who had this type of labial looseness?

I know there is a belief that ob-gyn's can't tell the difference, but I'm not sure about that.

Full disclosure: I am not any kind of Don Juan, my *ahem* "conquests" number less than a dozen over 30 years, and the MtF sampling in adult movies was a grand total of five.

Thanks for any help with this!

[Jenna Marie]

Well, all I can say is, this weirdly made me feel *better* about mine. I've never liked that the labia majora are "puffy," meaning plump and clearly kind of fatty (or at least there's definitely something under the skin). I really have to work to spread the outer lips fully, and there's definitely an inch or so of "rise" compared to the surrounding area. I always thought that was abnormal! My labia minora are fairly delicate and small, admittedly.

My vagina is within the labia majora, and I'm not sure what you mean by "funnel-shaped" - when I'm not dilating, it's basically a squeezed-together dimple, which seems normal-ish compared to the cis women I've seen.

My clit is tiny and buried in the hood, and I honestly don't know whether that would be "too long" by your standards or not; maybe, since it takes some searching to find it, but then again, the same is true of my wife. So I dunno.

[Miss Clara]

It is my understanding that the appearance of the vulva/vagina of a post-op trans woman is going to vary considerably depending on the pre-op anatomy of the patient, the SRS method used (penile inversion vs not-penile inversion), the skill of the surgeon, whether a one-stage or two stage operation is done, and the amount of time allowed for healing.  I very much doubt that an ob-gyn cannot tell a natal vulva/vagina from a neo-vulva/vagina on close examination.

[Beth Andrea]

Thank you Jenna, I appreciate your candidness. It also made me realize (yet again!  ) that what one person may like/prefer/want, someone else may not, and there's nothing wrong with either.

Clara, I understand the prerequisites and processes determine the outcome...but given all that, I find it strange that the handful of post-op results I've seen in films all have a similar overall appearance ("disheveled" is the word that comes to mind). Hmm... I know porn stars can get a nip-n-tuck to make theirs look "better", that could be an option if I don't like the appearance of mine.

Nevermind that it'll be a year to see what the final result would be!

[shellsters]

Well this feeling of not quite normal looking is where I'm at now. I did have some major anxiety and depression a couple weeks ago once I looked and compared. My thoughts were no man would ever, ever want me. I have since come to the realization that it will get better with time, it may even take a year. And even if it's not as normal as it should be, it's still better than what I had 😕

Today did give me a little more hope and better outlook. I went to see my regular dr for better pain meds and to check for infection. He told me everything looked fine, no infection and the pain is probably just the muscle healing. Makes sense to me! I did mention my concern about the size of my vaginal cavity and how it appears to be outside the labia. He was honest and told me that the vaginal opening was bigger than usual, but also said it's very early yet. He also insured me that he has seen many, many vaginias and that mine wasn't much more or less different then those he had seen. He is a very honest and up front dr, actually prefers to be called by his first name, and hugs are mandatory! So I'll just wait and see 😕 I have noticed that in just the short time the opening is getting smaller, but does seem to be separated yet. Only time will tell.

This is the type post I come here for! I've never had a vagina, and never had this surgery. I don't know what stuff should look like and not sure how things should feel. I may be willing to share pics just to see how things compare. But I'm not big on taking pics or even looking at my vagina too much! 

My libias are still a little swollen but have really started to look normal. Like you mentioned, it's only when I spread my legs is when things look odd. With the experience I had on the other side, All that I have seen or explored it was difficult to find the vaginal opening even with legs spread. At this time if I were to insert a tampon....not that I would! But it would just fall out!

Time is all I can hope for 😕

[CrysC]

I just had my procedure a little over 3 weeks ago but would have no problem changing clothes in a women's locker room.  It looks natural.  If I were to lie down on a bench in said locker room and spread my legs wide, well there would be some questions around the still healing areas next to the vag and why I'm spreading my legs like that in a locker room.  If you aren't up close and personal though, it's a vagina like billions of others. 

There are 2 main factors that matter, the skill of the doctor and what you have to work with.  There is a balance between wiener size and body fat there that makes the perfect cooch.  Even then you need a doctor with the skill to make that happen. 

Long story short is that after it heals up and such I don't think I would have any concerns playing hide the salami with it.  With all that stuff said, it's worth noting that I'm an optimist.  The cup is half full or if it isn't I'll put enough tequila in it to make it happen.  The big thing that I can say is that there isn't any way in hell I'd ever go back even if it never looked any different than it does at this moment. 

[Serenation]

Hi Beth, there is a huge variance between results, the lack of definition or rise in the majora is something that can happen from the healing process. Minora not encompassing the vagina canal entrance seems to be more prominent with some surgeons.

In general it's not like a plastic thing that always looks the same. Sometimes mine looks perfect sometimes it doesn't, I contemplated getting a revision but it is hard to predict how things heal, it's quite possible to have the opposite issue of it always being open and that's going to look like a lot worse.

The majora in every technique I'm aware of is just what is already there, so you get what you got in terms of that skin there are a lot of vaginas like this on the wall of vaginas though.

Clitoral hoods seem to vary greatly.

I live stealth so not being clocked by vagina was/is a concern for me. Walking around naked or showering in public etc is not a worry, but when I was booked in to get a Brazilian I was getting fairly anxious. I talked to my GP about it (she has had a good look at my vag inside and out) and she said stop stressing no one would ever know.

I've had multiple strangers see my vag now with my legs spread under flouro lights (and no hair to hide things) and no ones figured it out that I can tell (but if they don't say anything or act differently who can really tell but In my experience from when I was pre-op stealth in hospital people can get quite the fright). I told the first technician I was a little nervous and she said vaginas are like elbows to her she's seen so many.

hope that answers some of your questions

[Beth Andrea]

Yes, thank you Serenation, CrysC and Shellsters...

Over the last few days I've come to think what may have been the source of most of my worry...it was dysphoria/PTSD . Many of the videos were of pre-op TS and cis-males which (of course) focused on the male bits and anal areas, which are both places which I'm *very* uncomfortable with. This discomfort stayed with me for several days, which is why I was really upset with the appearance of the lady bits.

[Claire]

I've little experience with the variety out there, having only slept with one woman and not having transitioned but I'm sure there is tremendous variety out there. Here is a site that tries to lay to rest women's concerns about what is normal. There are photos further in the site. This is NOT Porn. It is from Women's Health in Victoria Australia. I hope no one minds me posting this. Moderators feel free to remove if this oversteps rules, but I can't imagine it would. <link removed>


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