Labia piercing

There is little direct evidence of pre-contemporary practice of labia piercings, 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. This piercing appears in the 1954 French erotic novel, Story of O by Anne Desclos. The reasons for having labia piercings are often reported as erotic agency and sexual self-expression. Some people have labia piercings as a ritual to reclaim their bodies after sexual trauma. == Comparison of different types ==

The labia minora run from the clitoral hood to the fourchette, and the tissue of the labia minora is similar to that of the clitoral hood. Clitoral hood piercings can allow jewellery to continually stimulate the clitoris and labia minora piercings can similarly stimulate the clitoris if they are placed high enough on the vulva. Some vulvas allow labia majora piercings to stimulate the clitoris if they can be positioned either side of it. and they are more visible if they are placed further forward. Possible complications include cellulitis and trauma during sexual activity. == Jewellery ==

The most common type of jewellery used in labia piercings is rings, though curved barbells are not uncommon. Weights, bells or charms are sometimes added. After enough time has passed – often around a year – labia piercings can be stretched to accommodate larger jewellery. == See also ==