Avoiding Labial Tears: Proper Wiping Techniques

Author: Aunt Vadge
Qualified Naturopath | BHSc(N)

Last reviewed: July 7, 2026

Hi Aunt Vadge,

Can wiping too much cause tears around my labia? I’m usually very clean when it comes to that area. I recently changed toilet paper, and sometimes (in the past too) I get small tears or cuts. Is it possible I just wipe too often, or wrong? And I know it’s a silly question, but how do I wipe front to back correctly?

Yours,
Wiper

Hi there Wiper,

Not a silly question at all – ‘wipe front to back’ is confusing if no one has ever explained the why, so you’re in good company.

Over-wiping and little cuts

Yes, over-wiping can absolutely cause the tears you’re getting. All skin has a protective film of oil, and the labia don’t have much of it to start with – they’re delicate. Dry toilet paper, used a lot, quickly turns scratchy and irritating, so repeated wiping there can nick and split the skin.

Have a look at the diagram in vag basics to see where your urethra sits, tucked between your labia. When you wee, only a tiny bit of urine touches the inner labia most of the time, and a stray droplet left behind is harmless – urine isn’t dirty – so there’s no need to scrub the area clean.

When you wipe your vulva, just dab. Don’t rub, scrub, or go inside. A firm dab or two, or one gentle swipe, is plenty. Try easing off and see how the skin feels.

Other culprits

It might also be the paper itself, so switch to a very soft, fragrance-free toilet paper. And there are other reasons for cuts and tears that have nothing to do with wiping. Vulval skin heals fast, so if you change how you wipe and the cuts stop, you’ve found your answer. If they keep coming back or won’t heal, get it looked at.

Wiping front to back

This one is only about after a bowel motion, and it simply means: don’t drag anything from your anus forwards towards your vagina. Go front to back, never back to front, so you’re not moving gut bacteria (or faeces) towards your vulva and urethra, where it can cause infections.

In practice that can mean reaching behind you rather than between your legs – but whichever position is comfy is fine, as long as you’re not wiping poo forwards. That’s the whole rule. Easy.

This is general information, not a substitute for personalised medical advice.

Let us know if you need anything else.

For soothing and healing minor cuts and tears, here’s how to deal with cuts and tears from fingering and rough sex.

Warmest regards,
Aunt Vadge