Self-examination of the body and knowledge of the genital area are very positive to fully enjoy sexuality. Although there is no normative prototype of what the female genitalia should be like, there are some common variations.
Observing and exploring one’s own body is a healthy exercise to fully enjoy sexuality . Despite this, there are many women who have never checked their genitals and who have doubts about their anatomy.
Performing a vaginal self-examination from time to time is a habit that allows each woman to get to know her vulva and vagina, understand her body, the changes that occur in it and even detect signs that something is not going as it should and it is necessary to consult a a doctor. Of course, this type of examination should never replace routine medical check-ups done by a professional.
- We recommend you read: “The 10 types of vagina (and their characteristics)”
The importance of self-exploring our body
To carry out a vaginal self-examination it is recommended that adequate conditions exist . Ideally, the area should be observed when you are not having your period and that creams or products have not been cleaned or used in the genital area just before. In addition, it is advisable to have a flashlight or a room with good light, as well as a mirror that allows greater visibility.
To perform this type of exam, you need to remove your clothes from the waist down. Keep a mirror and flashlight handy and properly sanitize your hands. Lie down in a comfortable place and bend your knees, placing your feet close to your buttocks and leaning back slightly, separating your knees to get the best possible view of your genitals. Once this is done, hold the mirror in front of the genital area and observe. You should see:
- The outer and inner lips of your vulva.
- A bulge of tissue covered by a hood of fur at the front, called the clitoris. This small element is one of the most stimulated areas during relationships, which is why it is responsible for a large part of the pleasure experienced.
- The urethra, the hole through which urine flows.
- The vagina, a conduit that allows sexual intercourse and through which the blood of the menstrual period flows.
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Vagina and vulva: how are they different?
It is important to note that vagina and vulva are not synonyms, although both terms are sometimes used interchangeably. The truth is that the vagina is one of the main organs of the female reproductive system. It is a conduit of muscular tissue with a mucous texture, which acts as a gateway to the rest of the organs of the female reproductive system. The vulva is the outermost area, while the uterus is the one located in the deepest and most internal area of the body.
The vagina is the channel through which the penis is inserted during sexual intercourse, through which the blood of menstruation flows and also the place through which the baby is expelled to the outside during childbirth. Also, in those women who have not yet had intercourse, the vagina may have a membrane called the hymen. For all these reasons, the vagina is the internal structure, while the vulva is the external area of the reproductive system .
To get the best view of your genitals, try to reflect the light from the flashlight into the mirror and use your own fingers to part your labia. What is expected is that you can see the vaginal walls, a pinkish color, which have some folds or grooves. You will also be able to observe your flow, which in normal conditions will be transparent or whitish depending on the moment of the cycle in which you are.
If there is a problem, you may notice some signs such as sores, raised spots on the tissue (known as genital warts), redness, foul-smelling or clumpy discharge, etc. If this happens, it is important that you go to your doctor so that he or she can assess what may be happening . These types of signs can hide some infections (for example, genital herpes or some STD) and can even be an indicator that hygiene habits are not adequate (for example, abuse of feminine hygiene products).
Many women, as we have been proposing, do not know what their genitals are like. Many have even wondered if their vulva is normal. The truth is that in this matter there is no dichotomy between normality-abnormality. Each woman and each vagina are unique and there is no normative model of what the female genitalia should be like.
Although types of vulvas cannot be described as such due to the great variety that exists, some frequent varieties have been identified based on shape and size . If you are interested in knowing what kinds of vulvas can exist or you simply want to know your own body better, in this article we are going to review some of the most common forms.
What types of vulva are there?
As we have been commenting, we cannot technically speak of types of vulva. There is no established normality regarding how a woman’s genitals should be, as there is great diversity depending on the shape, size, texture or color. However, there are some types of vulva that may be more frequent and that can serve as a guide. Let’s meet them.
1. Asymmetrical labia minora
In this type of vulva we can see how one side of the labia minora is longer than the other . This causes it to surpass the labia majora. Although visually it may seem strange, the truth is that it is a much more common type of vulva than it seems.
2. Curved labia majora
In this case the labia majora have a curved shape, which makes the labia minora visible. By joining both, the shape of this vulva resembles that of a horseshoe.
3. Prominent labia minora
This type of vagina is especially prevalent . The labia minora are longer than the labia majora, so they extend beyond them. Despite being a fairly common form of vulva, many women feel self-conscious about this.
4. Prominent labia majora
In some women, the opposite happens to the previous case, and that is that the labia majora are larger and therefore reach much lower than the minor ones.
5. Small and closed lips
Of all those mentioned, this type of vulva is perhaps the least common. Paradoxically, it is the one that is considered ideal according to the aesthetic canons of society . In pornography, this type of vulva is the one that usually appears, since the labia majora contain the minor ones and hide them completely.
6. Small and open lips
This type of vulva has many similarities with the previous one, since its lips are small in size. In this case, the labia majora are, on the contrary, open, so it is possible to see the labia minora.
7. Visible labia minora
In this type of vulva, the labia minora come to exceed the major ones extensively , remaining above them on their entire surface.
Conclusions
The appearance of the female genitalia should not be a source of shame for any woman . However, there are many who make the decision to undergo medical touch-ups to change the appearance of their vulva. Sometimes this step is not taken for purely aesthetic reasons, but also because the shape of her genitalia can be problematic. For example, she may be annoyed to play certain sports. The most common procedure to achieve the change is known as labiaplasty, whereby a plastic surgeon performs the desired change on an outpatient basis.
Although this intervention can represent a very positive change for affected women, the truth is that it is not exempt from possible side effects or complications. In some cases, painful scars or discomfort during sexual intercourse may appear. For this reason, it is essential that before carrying it out the decision is consulted with several professionals to obtain different opinions and be sure that the appropriate step is being taken with the minimum risks. In addition, it is important to recognize that, although medicine can make important changes in the appearance of people, it is key to have realistic expectations and accept one’s own body as it is.
In this sense, there is no doubt that the influence of the media, pornography and social networks has offered a polished image of female genitalia far from real diversity. This has caused that all these forms have been considered unpleasant or strange , when in truth they represent the very reality of the female body.
This distorted view of women’s anatomy can cause discomfort in each of them in relation to their body, and can seriously undermine self-esteem and self-confidence. What happens in relation to women’s genitalia is just one more example of how social pressure can distort body image and set unattainable expectations in relation to the body.
Perfection is not possible and a first step to prevent this type of complexes and insecurities is to make visible the diversity of female bodies , with all their shapes, colors and changes. The dichotomy between normality and abnormality makes no sense, because as we see each body is unique and no two are the same. In addition, the passage of time and aging also affect the appearance and shape of the genital area, making it impossible to permanently maintain a static appearance.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.