Many women know their own bodies less well than they'd like to. That's not surprising: while boys and men can literally see their genitals, most of the female anatomy is hidden or barely visible. Time to change that. The better you know your own anatomy, the easier it becomes to recognize what's normal for you, and to talk about it, whether that's with your doctor or a partner.
The vulva: the external part
What most people call the "vagina" is often actually the vulva. The vulva is the external part of your genitals: the area between the mons pubis, the groin, and the anus. The vagina itself is the internal passage connecting the vulva to the uterus, so you can't actually see it from the outside.
Here's how the vulva is structured:
- Mons pubis: the soft cushion above the pubic bone, usually covered in hair. How much hair varies from person to person and also changes with age.
- Outer labia (labia majora): two folds of skin containing fatty tissue, covered in hair after puberty. Large, small, long, short, asymmetrical: it all occurs and it's all normal. They're also sexually sensitive and can swell slightly with arousal.
- Inner labia (labia minora): thinner, without fat, and can range in color from pink to brownish-black. They can protrude beyond the outer labia, be ruffled or smooth, and change color during pregnancy or with age. Here too: lots of variation, all of it normal.
- Vestibule: the area within the inner labia, surrounding the vaginal opening. Glands here produce fluid, especially during arousal, and the urethra also opens up in this area.
- Hymen: a thin rim of tissue at the entrance of the vagina. In children this can partly cover the opening; in adults, often only small remnants remain visible.
Just like faces or breasts, there's no such thing as a "standard" vulva. Shape, color, and size vary enormously from woman to woman, and that's exactly how it should be.
The vagina: the internal part
The vagina is the muscular canal that connects the vulva to the cervix. It's an elastic passage that can stretch, for example during sex or childbirth, and then return to its original shape. The vaginal wall produces fluid that helps keep the area healthy and supple, and its composition changes throughout your cycle.
At the top of the vagina sits the cervix, the passage to the uterus. This also feels different depending on where you are in your cycle: firmer and lower when you're not fertile, softer and higher around ovulation.
The clitoris: so much more than you think
The clitoris is probably the most underestimated organ in the female body. Most people think of the clitoris as the small, sensitive bud at the top of the vulva, where the inner labia meet. That's accurate, but it's only the tip of the iceberg.
The external part
The visible tip is called the glans clitoridis, and it's only a few millimeters in size. It's often tucked away under a fold of skin, comparable to the foreskin on a penis.
The internal part
Most of the clitoris is hidden inside the body. In total, the organ measures around 8 to 10 centimeters, made up of two "legs" and two bulbs of erectile tissue that extend along the vaginal wall, on either side of the vaginal opening. These structures fill with blood during arousal, exactly the way it happens with a penis.
This immediately explains why penetration leads to orgasm more easily for some women than for others: how close the internal parts of the clitoris sit to the vaginal wall differs from person to person. For some, this tissue sits closer to the vaginal wall than for others, meaning penetration can stimulate the clitoris more or less indirectly.
A few things worth knowing:
- The clitoris contains thousands of nerve endings, making it one of the most sensitive spots in the body.
- It's the only human organ whose sole function is pleasure.
- Arousal causes the erectile tissue to fill with blood, causing the clitoris to swell and become more sensitive.
A little appreciation for the clitoris.
For an organ that plays such an important role in female pleasure, the clitoris has remained surprisingly invisible for a long time. That’s exactly why we love seeing more attention being given to it today, not only in conversations about female health and sexuality, but also in art and design.
Selfness does this in a particularly beautiful way. They create jewellery inspired by the clitoris, turning a part of the female body that has long been overlooked into something you can actually wear and celebrate. A small but powerful reminder that the female body deserves to be seen, understood and appreciated.
Curious? Discover Selfness and their clitoris-inspired jewellery here
Getting to know your own body
Every vulva, vagina, and clitoris is different, just like faces or hands differ from person to person. Taking the time to look at your own body, for example with a hand mirror, can really help you learn what's normal for you. That way, you'll more easily notice when something changes, and you'll feel more confident talking about it, whether with a partner or a healthcare provider.
