Labia stretching
Encyclopedia
Labia stretching is the act of elongating the labia minora
through manual manipulation (pulling) or physical equipment (such as weights).
It is a familial cultural practice in Rwanda
, common in Sub-Saharan Africa
, and a body modification
practice elsewhere. It is performed for sexual
enhancement of both partners, aesthetics
, symmetry
and gratification
.
and female ejaculation
, and are considered to enhance sexual pleasure for both partners. Women who have unequally long labia may increase the size of the shorter to achieve symmetry.
Some women who have larger labia seek to reduce their size through labiaplasty
, due to discomfort or pain.
how to pull their labia to lengthen them, using local medicinal
flora
to ease the process. Women continue the practice into adult
hood and through marriage
..
The most important aspect of this act sometimes referred to as Guguna Imishino, meaning pulling the labia, is to assist the couple especially the woman to ejaculate when a man strokes the elongated labia gently without any form sexual penetration.
previously included labial stretching within the context of "mutilation", the negative context of that is not supported by a study of Marian Koster MSc and Dr. Lisa Price of Wageningen University, Netherlands, resulting in the WHO to schedule amending their treatment of it, perhaps as "modification" instead, in February, 2008.
The practice of labial stretching does not violate women's rights, in that it does not involve physical violence, unless the woman is misled as to the benefits of the practice. However, it may be contrary to African customary law and rights of women if it is in conflict with public policy.
Labia minora
The labia minora , also known as the inner labia, inner lips, or nymphae, are two flaps of skin on either side of the human vaginal opening, situated between the labia majora...
through manual manipulation (pulling) or physical equipment (such as weights).
It is a familial cultural practice in Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
, common in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa as a geographical term refers to the area of the African continent which lies south of the Sahara. A political definition of Sub-Saharan Africa, instead, covers all African countries which are fully or partially located south of the Sahara...
, and a body modification
Body modification
Body modification is the deliberate altering of the human body for any non-medical reason, such as aesthetics, sexual enhancement, a rite of passage, religious reasons, to display group membership or affiliation, to create body art, shock value, or self expression...
practice elsewhere. It is performed for sexual
Human sexuality
Human sexuality is the awareness of gender differences, and the capacity to have erotic experiences and responses. Human sexuality can also be described as the way someone is sexually attracted to another person whether it is to opposite sexes , to the same sex , to either sexes , or not being...
enhancement of both partners, aesthetics
Aesthetics
Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste, and with the creation and appreciation of beauty. It is more scientifically defined as the study of sensory or sensori-emotional values, sometimes called judgments of sentiment and taste...
, symmetry
Symmetry
Symmetry generally conveys two primary meanings. The first is an imprecise sense of harmonious or aesthetically pleasing proportionality and balance; such that it reflects beauty or perfection...
and gratification
Gratification
Gratification is the pleasurable emotional reaction of happiness in response to a fulfillment of a desire or goal.Gratification, like all emotions, is a motivator of behavior and thus plays a role in the entire range of human social systems....
.
Benefits and drawbacks
Elongated labia are perceived to facilitate orgasmOrgasm
Orgasm is the peak of the plateau phase of the sexual response cycle, characterized by an intense sensation of pleasure...
and female ejaculation
Female ejaculation
Female ejaculation refers to the expulsion of noticeable amounts of clear fluid by human females from the paraurethral ducts through and around the urethra during or before an orgasm...
, and are considered to enhance sexual pleasure for both partners. Women who have unequally long labia may increase the size of the shorter to achieve symmetry.
Some women who have larger labia seek to reduce their size through labiaplasty
Labiaplasty
Labiaplasty is a plastic surgery procedure for altering the labia minora and the labia majora, the paired tissue structures bounding the vestibule of the vulva. The indications for the correction of labial hypertrophy are two-fold: the correction of defect and deformity, and the cosmetic...
, due to discomfort or pain.
Rwanda
In Rwandan culture, female family members teach girls at pubertyPuberty
Puberty is the process of physical changes by which a child's body matures into an adult body capable of reproduction, as initiated by hormonal signals from the brain to the gonads; the ovaries in a girl, the testes in a boy...
how to pull their labia to lengthen them, using local medicinal
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
flora
Flora
Flora is the plant life occurring in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring or indigenous—native plant life. The corresponding term for animals is fauna.-Etymology:...
to ease the process. Women continue the practice into adult
Adult
An adult is a human being or living organism that is of relatively mature age, typically associated with sexual maturity and the attainment of reproductive age....
hood and through marriage
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
..
The most important aspect of this act sometimes referred to as Guguna Imishino, meaning pulling the labia, is to assist the couple especially the woman to ejaculate when a man strokes the elongated labia gently without any form sexual penetration.
Controversy and legality
Although the World Health OrganizationWorld Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
previously included labial stretching within the context of "mutilation", the negative context of that is not supported by a study of Marian Koster MSc and Dr. Lisa Price of Wageningen University, Netherlands, resulting in the WHO to schedule amending their treatment of it, perhaps as "modification" instead, in February, 2008.
The practice of labial stretching does not violate women's rights, in that it does not involve physical violence, unless the woman is misled as to the benefits of the practice. However, it may be contrary to African customary law and rights of women if it is in conflict with public policy.
See also
- Labia reductionLabiaplastyLabiaplasty is a plastic surgery procedure for altering the labia minora and the labia majora, the paired tissue structures bounding the vestibule of the vulva. The indications for the correction of labial hypertrophy are two-fold: the correction of defect and deformity, and the cosmetic...
- Genital modification and mutilationGenital modification and mutilationThe terms genital modification and genital mutilation can refer to permanent or temporary changes to human sex organs. Some forms of genital alteration are performed at the behest of an adult, with their informed consent. Others are performed on infants or children...
- Elongated labiaElongated labiaElongated labia is an possibly genetic feature of certain Khoisan groups, whose female members develop relatively elongated labia minora, hanging up to four inches outside their vulva when they are standing in an upright position...
- Labia elongationLabia elongationLabia Elongation or labia pulling has been practised in many parts of Africa for many centuries. The early recordings of the results of the practice are perhaps among the Khoisan peoples of southern Africa, where the inner labia were seen to be several centimetres longer than the outer labia...
- Labia piercingLabia piercingLabia piercings are one type of female genital piercing. This piercing can be placed either through the labia minora or the labia majora. They are one of the simpler and more common genital piercings performed on women, and are often pierced in symmetrical pairs...
External links
- Labia Stretching Founding site, articles, guides and information on how to practice the ancient art of labia stretching.