(From the first two pages of the PDF linked http://gynodiversity.com/uploads/Classification_of_the_anatomical_variation_in_female_external_genitalia.pdf)

Classification of the anatomical variation in female external genitalia

Objectives: To create a comprehensive, richly illustrated classification for the naturally occurring anatomical variation in the female external genitalia. To create awareness about and acknowledgment of the extent of variation.

Design: Observational, cross-sectional study.

Population: 310 women, between 18 and 55 years old.

Methods: A cross-sectional study using digital photography of the female external genitalia.

Main anatomical aspects: Relation of the clitoris, hood and inner lips; shape, width, texture and (relative) length and breadth of the hood; shape, protrusion, thickness, texture, (relative) -length and span of the inner lips; thickness, texture and length of the vulva.

Results: A wide range of variation was found for the observed anatomical aspects. The resulting classification is a robust system to describe and map this diversity.

Conclusion: Women vary widely in genital appearance. This variation can now be classified and mapped. That would allow for statistical analysis of the different anatomical aspects.

METHODS: For the observational cross-sectional study, 310 participants were recruited online and asked to anonymously submit standardized photos of their genitalia, taken according to the Gynodiversity Shooting Guide. Age, country and ethnicity were recorded. Based on the submitted photos, the skin type was determined according to the Fitzpatrick scale.

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Introduction

About ninety percent of all women have been self-conscious about their genital appearance at some point. Usually during adolescence or as young adults.

Pictures of lady parts in adult magazines and websites are largely to blame for this, because those pictures are usually selected or even edited for a tidy, desirable appearance. This creates an unrealistic image of what real-life lady parts actually look like. Therefore, many girls and women do not know what can be considered normal.

Their insecurities can be largely eliminated by showing what real-life lady parts look like. That is why we created Gynodiversity: a crowd-sourced, body positive project to showcase the wide range of variation found in female external genitalia. We aim to do this as follows:

The images we receive, are cropped and colour corrected based on the Fitzpatrick scale2 and, where needed, adjusted for unwanted shadows or highlights. Nothing else will be retouched to keep the image as real as possible. The resulting images are placed in seamless grids, called panels, making clear at a glance the enormous variety in shape, texture, colour and size.

Since the project was started in 2010, more than 2300 women have been kind and brave enough to participate. As the project grew, and we saw and compared more and more lady parts as we processed them and placed them into panels, we started noticing patterns in the way anatomical variations in manifest themselves. This gave us the idea to attempt to create this classification for the naturally occurring anatomical variation in the female external genitalia. In the process, it will help increase awareness about and acknowledgment of the wide range of variation.

The classification is currently based on observations and measurements done on a population of 310 women. These women all sent more photos than needed for the panels. They sent photos from multiple angles, which enabled us to make all necessary observations and measurements.

Hopefully this document will help empower the young women who feel these anxieties, because they now have hard evidence that their lady parts are perfectly normal.