When was the last time you looked at your vagina? Like, really looked at it? If you're like well-nigh people, chances are loftier that your answer is not recently — or not always.

if you knew more virtually your trunk, and had better, more apparent information about period intendance products, you lot might be able to brand more informed choices. Right?

Real talk, looking at yourself while squatting over a mirror can experience weird. Merely that's simply because many of united states where taught that our vulvas (notation: your vulva is the external part of the female genitals, your vagina is the internal canal) are "private" areas.

This is true in the sense that you lot have consummate control over who or what you permit downward there. But it's your torso and knowing what your anatomy looks similar — and what information technology's supposed to look like — is an important function of staying in charge of your reproductive health.

What does a normal vulva look like?

Research has shown that 50% of women worry about whether their vulva looks "normal", 20% of women don't know what it's supposed to look like, only i in every 7 women has considered getting plastic surgery on it.

And it's no wonder — the female anatomy is glossed over in sexual teaching and rarely mentioned again once you're out of school. For some people, the merely info they get nigh what vulvas look like is from porn, which can give a very disillusioned sense of what'due south normal.

The truth is that vulvas (and vaginas) come up in a range of shapes, sizes, and colors and each one is unique. Some people have labia that hang down, some take clitorises that are barely visible (but nonetheless powerfully pleasurable), some have a mix of brown and pinkish pare...y'all get the picture show. A normal vulva is a healthy vulva, not one that looks a sure style.

Feel free to grab a mirror as you read this

Here at Lunette, we believe that everybody should take the fourth dimension to get to know themselves and their body. The deeper understanding of how the ii are continued will lead to a fuller, more rewarding life. Checking out your vulva while you larn about all of its dissimilar parts can help you become more than familiar with your anatomy—and there's a lot to learn.

External Anatomy

External Beefcake

Every bit the term implies, the external female anatomy includes the genitals that are exterior the body. Collectively, this region is called the vulva. The vulva includes the outer and inner lips of the labia (labia majora and labia minora), clitoris, and the openings to the urethra and vagina ~the whole enchilada~. This entire surface area is frequently mistakenly referred to equally the vagina — what you can see externally is but the vaginal opening. You'll learn more about the vagina afterward in the internal beefcake section.

Mons (or Mons Pubis)

The mons pubis, or mons veneris, is the slight superlative in a higher place the pubic bone. Its task is to cushion and protect the bone during sexual intercourse. Later on puberty, this expanse becomes covered in pubic pilus.

Labia Majora (outer labia)

Also known as the outer lips, the labia majora are the outer folds of skin that environment the vaginal opening, interim as a protective layer. While oftentimes larger than the labia minora, it is non uncommon for the inner lips to be the aforementioned size, if not larger than the outer lips. The labia majora tin can vary in color. For example, they can exist pink, crimson, or reddish brown. They tin likewise vary in length from brusque to long, and may appear shine or wrinkled. So don't worry, your vulva is non weird.

Labia Minora (inner labia)

Likewise known as the inner lips, the labia minora are the thin folds of skin within the labia majora. The inner lips cover the vaginal and urethral openings. This area within the labia minora is chosen the vestibule. The inner lips of the labia are the ultimate multi-taskers. From protecting the entrance hall from bacteria to housing nervus endings that enhance sexual pleasance, at that place'due south no doubt that the labia minora is majorly awesome.

Inner labia, similar all other parts of your vulva, await different from person to person. Some people take inner labia that hang down past their outer labia, while others have labia that are and then small you can barely see them. One person could fifty-fifty take inner labia that looks unlike on each side — totally normal!

Clitoris + Glans

Right below your mons, your inner labia connect to course your clitoral hood. This hood is connected to your glans, which is the very tip of your clitoris (the office y'all can see outside of your body). The clitoral hood protects your very sensitive (think: over 8,000 nerve endings!) clitoris.

Many people think that the tip of the clitoris is all there is to information technology, but that's not the example. In fact, your clitoris is about as big as a penis just it extends back into your trunk, making a wishbone shape, called your crura. Each side of your crura is about 3 inches long and is made upward of erectile tissue that plays an of import role in sexual pleasure and orgasm. Your clitoris is the only office of your torso that is made entirely for your sexual pleasure.

Pretty amazing, right?

Urethral Opening

The urethra is a tube connected to the bladder through which your urine passes from the body. The urethral opening is located but below the clitoris.

Vaginal Opening

When people say "vagina", what they ofttimes mean is their "vulva", which is the female person anatomy we're talking about here. The word vagina really refers to the internal canal (where penises or toys go in and babies come out). Beneath your urethral opening is your vaginal opening, where you insert things like your menstrual cup. The vaginal opening expands and contracts only, despite what some people say, they don't stay stretched.

Vulva

Oftentimes referred to as the vagina, the vulva is the actual name for the area where you'll find your urethral opening, vaginal opening, labia (majora and minora) and clitoris.

Dam

The dam, also known equally the perineum, is the region between your vulva and your anus. This role of your body has a lot of nerve endings and tin feel practiced when stimulated and acts as a connector.

Anus

The anus is the opening from which feces leaves your torso through the intestines. After puberty, this area oftentimes becomes covered in pubic hair.

Internal Anatomy

Internal Anatomy

The internal anatomy is all of the parts you can't see, and where the reproductive magic happens. Whether or not a baby is nowadays, the hormonal functions that come with your internal beefcake touch your everyday life.

Vagina

The vagina is the muscular tube that connects your external genitals to the cervix of the uterus. Information technology is approximately two to 4 inches long and can double in length when angry. (WHAT?!) The walls of the vagina can exist described as layers of wrinkles or folds of muscular tissue. Menstrual blood will flow from the uterus through the cervix to exit the trunk through the vagina. Mucus is generated to keep the vagina moist in order to lubricate itself for sexual activity, trap semen for conception and cleanse. How much fungus is created during a bike can vary. Typically, it will increment most 2 weeks prior to menstruation, which can be a little unsettling until you realize it'southward a totally natural occurrence that helps maintain the health of the vagina. Just think, characteristics of the discharge amount, colour and texture will vary from person to person, and throughout different phases of the menstrual cycle.

Hymen

Also known as the vaginal corona, the hymen is located but inside the opening to the vagina. It is a thin membrane of tissue that partially covers the vaginal opening and tends to erode over time due to hormones, natural discharge and vaginal sex. Merely the absence of the hymen is not an indicator of lost virginity, as it tin often be cleaved during many non-sexual activities similar sports. Heck, some people don't accept ane at all.

Pubic Os

The pubic os is a joint where the 2 halves of the pelvis meet. You lot tin locate it backside your vaginal opening. Being able to identify the curve of your pubic bone from within the vagina is super of import for proper placement of a menstrual cup, as your menstrual cup needs to exist positioned just beyond the pubic bone.

Grand-Spot

The Grafenberg spot, more unremarkably known as the Yard-spot, is located on the front wall of the vagina (abdomen side) only past the pubic bone and has a somewhat spongy feel. It may be difficult to notice if your fingers can't accomplish, only keep in mind that information technology may be elusive to pinpoint. However, for many it is an erotic zone that has the potential to contribute greatly to their sexual arousal.

Cervix

The cervix is a narrow, cervix-like passage that forms at the lower finish of your uterus. The position of the cervix can vary from person to person and changes throughout your menstrual cycle. If you search for information technology using your finger, you'll find it feels a bit similar the tip of your nose. The cervix is where menstrual claret leaves the uterus so information technology tin can pass through the vagina. Semen also travels through the cervix to enter the uterus. During pregnancy, the cervix will dilate, or stretch, to allow the baby to pass through during a vaginal commitment. But don't worry, unless you're in the process of delivering a babe, nothing but menstrual blood or semen will be able to pass through your neck.

Reproductive Organs

Reproductive organs

The female reproductive organisation has two functions: The beginning is to produce egg cells, and the 2d is to protect and nourish the offspring until birth.

Uterus

The uterus is a muscular pear-shaped structure where a fetus volition develop during pregnancy. If an egg enters the uterus and isn't fertilized by sperm, the inner lining of the uterus will shed and pass from the body. This is menstruation.

Fallopian Tubes

Fallopian tubes extend from either side of the uterus and are the path in which a released egg must travel to get to the uterus during ovulation. If that egg isn't fertilized, it will shed from the uterus with the inner lining during menstruation.

Ovaries

Lumpy and approximately the size of a grape, the ovaries are positioned on either side of the uterus where they produce and store your eggs.

Pelvic Floor

The pelvic flooring, or pelvic diaphragm, tin can exist described every bit a sling of muscles and connective tissue spanning the pelvic opening. Located underneath the pelvis, the pelvic flooring non only supports the uterus and vagina, merely besides the float, intestines and rectum – ultimately property them in place and allowing them to role correctly. It is these muscles that volition play a major part in the utilize and removal of your menstrual cup.