Every day for the last year and a half, Hilde Atalanta has painted a picture of one vulva. At first, inspiration came from her imagination; then, from the internet; and, most recently, from women who send her photos of their goods. For the Amsterdam-based illustrator who also paints full bodies and faces, vulvas are compelling portrait subjects. A vulva, by the way, is the name for the visible part of what most people just dub "vagina. Together, Atalanta's colorful sketches make up The Vulva Gallery , an Instagram phenomenon showcasing more than vulva illustrations. Her gallery, she hopes, will help people celebrate their down-there diversity, whether or not they identify as women. So true. Here's a sampling of some of Atalanta's awesome vulva illustrations, with expert commentary about what you're looking at, exactly. Full disclosure: After checking these out, you just may wind up deciding your vulva should be immortalized, too.

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'Fortune Cookie'
Vaginas — or more accurately, vulvas, and all their components — come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. They even have different smells. And unless your normal involves pain or discomfort , everything is likely fine. Still unsure? Take a look at these pictures of real labia to get a sense of how varied they can really be, and read on to learn more about their overall appearance. The fleshy outer lips of your vulva are known as the labia majora. The inner lips — which usually lead the way to your vaginal opening — are called the labia minora.
Plump Majora
John G. Aesthetic alteration of the genitalia is increasingly sought by women unhappy with the size, shape, and appearance of their vulva. Although the labia minora are usually the focus of concern, the entire anatomic region—minora, labia majora, clitoral hood, perineum, and mons pubis—should be evaluated in a preoperative assessment of women seeking labiaplasty. Labiaplasty is associated with high patient satisfaction and low complication rates. The three basic labia minora reduction techniques—edge excision, wedge excision, and central deepithelialization—as well as their advantages and disadvantages are discussed to assist the surgeon in tailoring technique selection to individual genital anatomy and aesthetic desires. We present key points of the preoperative anatomic evaluation, technique selection, operative risks, perioperative care, and potential complications for labia minora, labia majora, and clitoral hood alterations, based on a large operative experience. Labiaplasty competency should be part of the skill set of all plastic surgeons. Although ranked relatively low on volume lists of overall cosmetic surgery procedures in the United States, 1 aesthetic alteration of the genitalia is increasingly sought by women unhappy with the size, shape, and appearance of their vulva. It is therefore essential that the entire anatomic region—labia minora, labia majora, clitoral hood, perineum, and mons pubis—be evaluated in the preoperative assessment of women seeking labiaplasties.
In yet more evidence of the fetishisation of youth, the people carrying out labia puffing say that ageing and weight loss can cause the amount of fat around your vagina to decrease, which apparently leaves it looking a bit sad. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, labia puffing works by injecting hyaluronic acid into the labia majora. Dr Walden, a spokesperson for the society, tells Metro. Let us say then that ideally you would not worry about the appearance of your labia. As Dr Crouch says, they come in all shapes and sizes, and they are all beautiful and need not have anything injected into them. Dr Crouch also says that changes in the way the vagina feels can be caused by pelvic organ prolapse, something that is quite common in older women. MORE: Is it actually a good idea to put a sheet mask on your vulva? Follow Metro.