7 Things Your Doctor Probably Never Told You About Your

Did you know that “vagina” is one of the most misused words in the English language?

See, the vagina actually refers to the internal canal that goes up to the cervix. The other, more external parts, the ones you can see, which include the mons pubis, the clitoris, and the inner and outer labia are called the vulva.

So why not call a vulva a vulva, pray tell? Perhaps because the vagina is where the penis goes during heterosexual intercourse, and so it’s only natural to overemphasize it. It’s no surprise, given prevailing gender norms, that there’s a lot about the female body and female pleasure that society at large doesn’t know. From gender bias in the healthcare system to orgasm discrepancies in the bedroom, this glaring lack of knowledge in the so-called modern world is truly unfortunate.

Here are 7 things we should all know about our vulvas.

1. Your clitoris is bigger than it looks

The clitoris extends way beyond the little nub perched atop the vulva. There’s this whole other internal part of the clitoris that includes bulbous internal extensions and these sort of wings or branches on either side. The entire clitoris can grow up to five inches in some women (about the size of an average penis) and looks a lot like a bone. Debby Herbenick, Ph.D., and author of The Coregasm Workout, “those branches can potentially be stimulated from the outside.” Ultimately, it’s all connected, baby, and just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there.

2. Your big lips can be compared to a scrotum (or vice versa)

Men and women have a lot more anatomical similarities than some people realize. The majority of the vulva has some sort of counterpart among the male genitals. While many of us have heard that the head of the penis has similar properties and provides similar sensations to the external clitoris, the outer labia are analogous to a man’s scrotum. Just as the scrotum protects the testicles, the outer labia protect the inner parts of your precious vulva.

3. Your clitoris has nearly 8,000 nerve endings

The clitoris is considered by many women to be the ground zero for sexual pleasure, and this is not surprising considering that the tip of the clitoris alone has 8,000 nerve endings, more than double the number of nerve endings in the penis. Fun fact: When a woman is aroused, her clitoris can swell up to 300% of its usual size! The labia also get in on the fun, turning pink or red.

4. You probably need clitoral stimulation to achieve orgasm

Studies show that only 25% of women can achieve orgasm through intercourse alone. And many studies actually fail to account for external clitoral stimulation during intercourse. The pleasure gap exists primarily because women are not getting the clitoral stimulation they need to orgasm during penetrative sex. When a woman’s pleasure and pain are both taken as seriously as a man’s (by doctors, lovers, etc.), the pleasure gap disappears.

5. Many factors can cause yeast infections

There are so many things. What your vulva is exposed to can cause internal vaginal infections. For example, sitting in a wet bathing suit or sweaty underwear, drinking a lot of alcohol, eating a lot of sugar, being on the birth control pill, or being on antibiotics can all cause a yeast infection. These kill all the good bacteria in your vagina and cause an imbalance that is conducive to fungus. It’s best to stick to clothing that allows your vulva to get some circulation: cotton underwear or sleeping without any underwear can help. Additionally, many things can cause itching that aren’t yeast infections, like irritation from shaving or waxing, or detergent/soap that your sensitive vulva may react to.

6. Your vulva and vagina are self-cleaning

When it comes to washing your vulva, less is more. Simply wash the outsides with water and mild, unscented soap (if you use it). Never put soaps or other cleansers/douches inside your vagina, as they can cause pH imbalances and irritation. Plus, it already cleans itself!

7. Everyone’s vulva is different

Vulvas vary wildly. From the size of your clitoris to the thickness and length of your labia, everything is unique to you. Plus, it’s normal to have asymmetrical labia. Yet, that hasn’t stopped thousands of women from getting labiaplasty to achieve that ultra-symmetrical, discreet, mainstream porn star look. Ugh. As for color, a healthy vulva comes in all shades, and what’s normal can even change over time due to hormonal fluctuations.

Bottom line: Vulva knowledge is vulva power, love it, so know yourself.

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