When most people talk about women\u2019s health they tend to use \u201cvagina\u201d as an all-encompassing term for everything \u201cdown there\u201d, but in reality the vagina is a very specific (and absolutely amazing) part of internal<\/i> anatomy.<\/p>\n
Many confuse that with the vulva, which is an absolutely amazing part of external<\/i> female anatomy. This confusion or unwillingness to talk<\/a> about women\u2019s bodies does women (and men) no favors \u2013 knowing your body is a huge part of taking care of your intimate health and being comfortable with your body.<\/p>\n So here\u2019s a detailed guide to everything \u201cdown there\u201d, just to get you on your way to being an expert in the anatomy of YOU.<\/p>\n Vulva is the collective term for all of the parts that you can see \u2013 aka your external genitals. A lot of people, both men and women, get confused about what is actually there and how they work. We all have that friend who didn\u2019t know that there were 3 holes (the vaginal entrance, the urethra, and the anus) \u2013 now you can be the bringer of truth and anatomic accuracy with this helpful guide.\u00a0Starting at the top:<\/span><\/p>\n Mons pubis<\/b> \u2013 this is the triangular area just below your belly button, it\u2019s made up of mostly fatty tissue that covers the public bone and protects it from damage (like during sex). It\u2019s also generally where pubic hair begins.<\/p>\n Labia majora<\/b> \u2013 also known as the outer lips, the labia majora are the folds of skin on the outside of the vaginal opening. They also tend to be covered with public hair.<\/p>\n Labia minora \u2013 <\/b>these are your inner lips and they are \u2013 unsurprisingly \u2013 in between the outer lips and the vaginal opening. They protect your vaginal opening and urethra (the vestibule) from outside elements like dirt and bacteria, but they also contain nerves that can add to sexual pleasure. These do not have any hair on them.<\/p>\n Vestibule \u2013 <\/b>This is the diamond-shaped space between the labia minora. It includes everything from the bottom of the clitoral hood to the vaginal opening. \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Urethral opening \u2013 a.k.a <\/b>Hole #1. <\/b>Located within the vestibule, just below the clitoris and above the vaginal opening, the urethral opening is where your pee leaves your body. The urethra runs from your bladder and through your pelvic opening to this point.<\/p>\n Vaginal opening \u2013 a.k.a <\/b>Hole # 2 <\/b>While the vagina is not considered part of the vulva, its opening is inside the vestibule. Just below the urethral opening and above the anus.<\/p>\n Anus \u2013 <\/b>this is where your body disposes of solid waste from your bowels (poop). It\u2019s about 2 inches below\/behind the vagina \u2013 which is why you have to be careful with your hygiene and wiping after using the toilet.<\/p>\n This part deserves its own section just because.\u00a0 It\u2019s the only part of the human body that exists entirely for pleasure and has over 8,000 individual nerve endings (the penis only has 4,000). A pleasure powerhouse, many women simply need clitoral stimulation in order to orgasm<\/a>.<\/p>\n The visible part of the clitoris is positioned at the top of the vestibule, where the lips of the labia minora come together. It\u2019s a small nub of extremely sensitive tissue, is protected by the clitoral hood \u2013 a small piece of skin and tissue that covers the external part of the clitoris. But the clitoris is much more than just a small nub, the tissue is actually wishbone shaped and extends several inches around either side of your vagina.<\/p>\n The vagina is an elastic, muscular tube that leads from your outer genitals (the vulva) up to your cervix and uterus. The vagina carries your menstrual fluid or a baby from your uterus and cervix, and out of your body. While the average vagina is between 2.5 -3.0 inches wide and 2 – 4 inches long, it can stretch up to 200% because the vaginal walls are made up of very elastic, soft folds of tissue.<\/p>\n These folds, called rugae allow it to accommodate things like a menstrual cup<\/a>, a penis, or an entire baby during childbirth. That\u2019s one seriously impressive body part.<\/p>\n Hymen\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/b><\/b>The hymen, also known as the vaginal corona, is made up of folds of thin mucous membrane just inside the entrance to the vagina. It was previously believed that the hymen was a thick membrane that covered the entirety of the vaginal entrance in all women, stretching from one side to the other and only breaking once a woman had penetrative sex. However, this myth has been dispelled.<\/p>\n Each person’s hymen is different \u2013 some do cover the entire vaginal entrance, but it\u2019s rare. According to Our Bodies, Ourselves<\/i> the vaginal corona comes in many different sizes and shapes, it \u201cmay be tightly or more loosely folded\u2026it may be slightly pink, almost transparent, but if it is thicker it may look a little paler or whitish\u201d.<\/p>\n G-spot \u2013 <\/b>The g-spot is a small area about 1-2 inches in on the front wall of the vagina that can be very sensitive for some women. When pressed by fingers, a penis, or a personal massager it can sometimes lead to an orgasm.<\/p>\n However, many scientists (and women) question whether the G-spot is real, since only around 30% of women<\/a> are able to orgasm from penetration alone. Some hypothesize that the G-spot doesn\u2019t actually exist<\/a> or that it\u2019s actually just an extension of the clitoral tissue into the vagina.<\/p>\n Cervix\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/b><\/b><\/b>Your cervix is at the top of your vagina, it is what stops bacteria and other objects from moving into your uterus. The cervix is why you can\u2019t lose a tampon or a <\/span>menstrual cup<\/a> in your body. <\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s a muscular organ that has a very small hole that allows menstrual fluid to flow out into the vagina, and semen to move into the uterus to fertilize the eggs. Many women are able to feel it if they insert their fingers into their vaginas (or if their partner bumps it during sex), it feels almost like the tip of your nose.<\/span><\/p>\n Pelvic Floor\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/b><\/b><\/b>The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that stretch across the bottom of your pelvis, they act as a sort of hammock of support for your abdominal organs and help them to function properly. <\/span><\/p>\n They\u2019re also sometimes called the \u201clove muscles\u201d because they help keep your vagina healthy and strong \u2013 a toned pelvic floor means a tighter vagina. \u00a0A healthy pelvic floor is important for everything from having a <\/span>healthy pregnancy<\/a> to maintaining good bladder and bowel control. They\u2019re super important to your overall intimate health and should be kept healthy with a good <\/span>Kegel exercise routine<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Having a solid understanding of your own anatomy has a huge effect on both your ability to manage your own health and your sexuality. The more comfortable you are with your own body the easier it will be to help someone else become more *ahem* familiar with it.<\/p>\n Women should not be afraid or embarrassed to know their bodies and to talk openly about their health. Spreading accurate information and talking about our bodies using the correct terms helps us move in the right direction for all women.<\/p>\n Please note that advice offered by Intimina may not be relevant to your individual case. For specific concerns regarding your health, always consult your physician or other licensed medical practitioners.<\/i><\/p>\n When most people talk about women\u2019s health they tend to use \u201cvagina\u201d as an all-encompassing term for everything \u201cdown there\u201d, but in reality the vagina is a very specific (and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":17394,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\u00a0<\/b>The Vulva \u2013 Your Visible Genitals<\/b><\/h2>\n
The Clitoris \u2013 Everyone’s favorite body part<\/b><\/h2>\n
The Vagina \u2013 Possibly the coolest part of the human body.<\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n