A key to this is understanding the vulva. Understanding what the vulva is, what the vulva looks like, where it’s located, and its function will contribute to better sexual health and satisfaction.
What is the vulva?
The vulva is the outside of the female sexual organs. The word vulva comes from Latin and means wrapper. It is the part of the female genitalia that you can see, and it protects the internal sexual organs, the urinary tract, and the vagina. It is also central to the female sexual response.
Is the vagina the same as the vulva?
No! Not at all! The vulva is the first thing you see when you look down below. It’s the outside of the female reproductive system. The vagina, on the other hand, is on the inside. The vagina is part of what the vulva protects and is not ordinarily visible.
Where exactly is the vulva, and what does it look like?
The vulva begins at the mons pubis – the area covered by hair in front of the pubic bones on the lower part of the stomach.
Below the mons pubis is the clitoral hood and clitoris. The clitoris is the pleasure center of the vulva and swells with blood when excited.
Below the clitoris are two folds of skin known as the labia majora and labia minora – sometimes referred to as “lips.” These lips fold over the urethral and vaginal openings. The urethra is the tube that passes urine from the body. The vagina connects to the cervix and uterus.
Below the labia is the fourchette, where the labia meet again. Underneath the fourchette is the perineum, which extends from the fourchette to the anus.
Does the vulva change over time?
The main events that cause the vulva to change are puberty, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. What a healthy vulva looks like will change depending on your stage of life.
Puberty: During puberty, pubic hair starts to grow above the vulva. It also usually grows in and around the labia. The hair will become thicker and curlier with time. The labia minora will also increase and widen, and sometimes the vulva will change color.
Pregnancy: With the increase of estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy, blood to the vulva will increase. This may cause the vulva to swell or the skin or vaginal opening to darken. Some people also develop temporary hemorrhoids in their vulva, vagina, or anus.
Childbirth: The vagina stretches to accommodate the baby when you give birth. This means that the vulva will expand and sometimes tear. With appropriate after-care and time, these are generally repaired.
Menopause: With age, the entire body feels the effects of living, and the vulva is no exception. When going through menopause, the permanent drop in estrogen may result in your vulva tightening and becoming drier.
If you have concerns about these changes at any point in life, be sure to bring them up with your doctor. Don’t wander silently!
What are the best ways to pleasure the erogenous zones of the vulva?
Not only is the clitoris the most erogenous zone of the vulva, but it is also the most erogenous spot in the female body. The clitoris is said to have about 8,000 nerve endings, which is twice as many nerve endings as the entire penis.
There are so many ways to pleasure the vulva. The clitoris is a great place to start, but the vaginal opening and anus are also fun and pleasurable places to explore.
Some general tips are:
- Explore! Hot spots on the vulva can change.
- Try stimulating the vaginal opening about ⅓ of the way inside to find the g-spot.
- Move around and switch up the motions or positions you use to stimulate the clitoris.
- Try a sex toy like a dildo or a clitoral vibrator.
Read More:
15 Best Sex Positions for Smaller Penis Owners
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