Labia stretching

Labia stretching is the act of elongating the "labia minora" through manual manipulation (pulling) or physical equipment (such as weights). [http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/97388.php] , "Rwandan Women View The Elongation Of Their Labia As Positive", retrieved on 2008-06-18] [http://www.sexylabia.com/labia-enlargement1.htm] , "Enlarging Your Labia", retrieved on 2008-06-22] It is a familial cultural practice in Rwanda , common in Sub-Saharan Africa [http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/hrp/progress/67.pdf] , "Sexual health--a new focus for WHO", page 6, retrieved on 2008-06-19] , and a body modification practice elsewhere. It is performed for sexual enhancement of both partners, aesthetics, symmetry and gratification.

Benefits

Elongated labia facilitate orgasm 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.

Drawbacks

Some women who have larger labia seek to reduce their size through labiaplasty, due to discomfort or pain. [http://abcnews.go.com/Health/WomensHealth/Story?id=3547373&page=2] , "Intimate Operations: OB-GYN Organization Issues Warning", ABC News, 08/31/2007, retrieved on 2008-06-22 ]

Rwanda

In Rwandan culture, female family members teach girls at puberty how to pull their labia to lengthen them, using local medicinal flora to ease the process. Women continue the practice into adulthood and through marriage.

Controversy and Legality

Although the World Health Organization 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. [http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/1840669796-51734373/content~content=a759367524~db=all] , The International Journal of Human Rights, Volume 10, Issue 4 December 2006 , pages 341 - 357, retrieved on 2008-06-19]

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's in conflict with public policy. [http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/1840669796-51734373/content~content=a759367524~db=all] , The International Journal of Human Rights, Volume 10, Issue 4 December 2006 , pages

341 - 357, retrieved on 2008-06-19]

References

See also

*Labia reduction
*Genital modification and mutilation
*Labium (genitalia)
*Labia minora
*Vagina
*Vulva
*Elongated labia
*Labia piercing

External Links

* [http://www.labiastretching.net/ Labia Stretching Society] Articles about the practice of labia stretching
* [http://www.labiastretching.com/ Labia Stretching] Founding site, articles, guides and information on how to practice the ancient art of labia stretching.