Gourt Home::Gourt :: Labia piercing
Labia piercings are a type of female genital piercing. This piercing can be placed either through the inner labia or the outer labia. They are one of the simpler and more common genital piercings performed on women, and are often pierced in symmetrical pairs. Like all genital piercings, depending on jewelery and placement, they may provide additional stimulation to one or both partners during sexual intercourse.
Inner labia
Like most genital piercings, inner labia piercings heal very quickly if properly cared for. The healing time usually ranges between 4-6 weeks. Sexual contact should be avoided during this time in order to speed healing and prevent problems. These piercings are relatively painless and can be stretched quite easily and quickly, due to both the spongy nature of the tissue and the amount of activity they are subjected to.
Outer labia
Outer labia piercings heal more slowly than inner labia piercings, depending on the anatomy of the individual. They also tend to be more painful as there is more tissue to pierce through. Stretching of outer labia piercing may occur on its own, but more likely would have to be a manual process.
Jewelry
Almost any type of jewelry can be found in labia piercings, although rings are the most commonly used jewelry, both as initial jewelry, and on a long-term basis. Both types of labia piercings can be stretched to accommodate large jewelry; the wearing of heavy jewelry in these piercings may be a form of ongoing or temporary sexual stimulation. Both types can also be stretched to accommodate flesh tunnel or plug style jewelry.
Jewelry worn in labia piercings may have a fetish purpose. Rings or other specialised jewelry may be worn to occlude access to the vagina, as a form of short-term or long-term non-surgical infibulation. Other chastity devices might also be worn that make use of the piercing, sometimes incorporating locks.
History and culture
There is little direct evidence of pre-contemporary practice of labia piercing, outside of anecdotal reports of the use of these piercings as chastity devices. Like many genital piercings, the contemporary origin of labia piercing resides in the BDSM culture that gave rise to the resurgence of body piercing in contemporary society. In contemporary practice, these piercings often simply fill a decorative role, rather than a purely sexual one.
See also
"Labia piercing"