VULVA & VAGINA (AFAB)
Important Facts
AFAB stands for "assigned female at birth."
The vagina is self-cleaning. You don’t need intimate soaps or vaginal washes.
Vaginas vary in size and shape but are all normal.
Discharge color and texture change throughout your menstrual cycle.
External Structure
The Mons Pubis, or Mons Veneris, is the structure of fatty tissue that lays on top of the pubic bone to protect the internal structures of the body and genitals. Post puberty, pubic hair develops on the mons pubis and surrounding area. Up to you to trim, wax, shave, or let be. Pubic hair trends come and go, do whatever is comfortable for you.
The vaginal lips are separated into the outer (labia majora) and inner (labia minora) lips. The labia majora starts at the mons pubis, generally featuring pubic hair. The labia minora, generally without pubic hair, are folds of skin between the labia majora. They’re meant to cover and protect the clitoris, the urethra, and the vaginal opening. Most images and videos in modern media depict the labia minora as being hidden or tucked away. However, the labia don’t always look like that. They can be asymmetrical, dark, light, small, or large. The vagina can be an innie, with the lips tucked away, or an outie, with the lips sticking out. Both are normal.
The top of the labia minora, where the lips meet, is home to the prepuce or clitoral hood. Under the hood, you’ll find the famous clitoris. Some hoods are larger than others, and some are nearly nonexistent. It’s all normal. The hood is similar to the foreskin on the tip of the penis, so it’s important that this area is cleaned properly. In fact, the clitoris is the only part of the body that exists solely for pleasure. This little nub contains an insane amount of nerve endings.
Underneath, you can find the urethra (meatus), which is a tiny, tiny hole. This is where pee exits the body. Then, the vaginal opening (introitus) comes right after. On each side of the vaginal opening, you’ll find Bartholin’s glands, which is where natural lubrication comes from.
Photo from The V Book by Elizabeth G. Stewart M.D.
The renowned hymen is a really thin membrane. This membrane also varies in size, elasticity, and thickness. There is no such thing as “breaking” or “rupturing” the hymen. The hymen gets stretched out when anything gets inserted into the vaginal opening. Sometimes, due to improper lubrication, there may be some tearing and blood, but don’t worry about it.
The hymen is usually associated with virginity. Once you have sex, the hymen is ruptured, and you’re no longer a virgin. Virginity is a man-made concept that has no biological backing. The hymen is not important, and will not affect you in any way unless it’s completely covering the vaginal hole. This scenario is called an imperforate hymen and needs medical intervention. Otherwise, your hymen is just a random buddy along for the ride.
Lastly, the vulva ends with the perineum, which is the piece of skin from the vaginal opening to the anus.
Internal Structure
Photo from The Psychology of Human Sexuality by Wiley & Blackwell
Often, people call the vulva the vagina, but the vagina is actually the tunnel that starts with the vaginal opening and ends with the uterus. The vagina can change in size and shape when things are inserted into it. The vagina’s interior lining (vaginal mucosa) is composed of a mucous membrane that secretes lubrication. The ability and quantity of lubrication vary by person, and the need for assistance from artificial lubricants is normal. Keep in mind that lubrication doesn’t always mean sexual desire. It’s a result of sexual action or arousal, but doesn’t mean consent or desire.
Within the vagina is the Grafenberg spot, or G-spot. This mystical body part is misunderstood. Not everyone has it, and not everyone that has it has it in the same spot. Scientists think that it's an extension of the clitoris. This isn’t a magic button for orgasm or pleasure, but it may be a pleasurable spot for some people.
Deeper within the vagina down the tunnel is the cervix. This little nub is actually the bottom part of your uterus. Its opening is called the os and is what allows the entrance of sperm and the exit of menstrual fluid and discharge. Depending on the menstrual cycle stage that the vagina-owner is in, the discharge may change in texture, appearance, and feel. The discharge allows for the removal of old cells, and occasionally helps sperm travel into the uterus during the fertile stages.
Discharge Stages:
During the period: bleeding ranges from bright red to dark brown.
Right after the period: dry or nonexistent.
Proliferative phase (period end until ovulation): white-ish, creamy, sticky.
Ovulation: transparent/clear, stretchy, slippery (almost like raw egg whites).
Post-ovulation until period: tacky/sticky but dry.
If your discharge is yellow, brown, or grey, it may be a sign of a bacterial infection. If your discharge is clumpy, or smells fishy or super strong, it may be a sign of a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis.
Entering the uterus, the lining is called the endometrium. The uterus is meant to protect the fetus during pregnancy. The endometrium builds up to prepare for pregnancy, but sheds at the end of a menstrual cycle when there has been no successful egg fertilization. Towards the top of the uterus are the fallopian tubes on either end. These tubes lead to the ovaries, which house the eggs. Once a month during ovulation, an egg travels from one of the ovaries, down the tubes, and into the uterus.
