Vulva

While vagina has emerged as the term of choice for women's genitalia (excluding, of course, many of the ickier euphemisms, like vajeen and cooter), vulva is actually the correct term for all of the external organs - Catherine Pearson

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Chick-Chat: Your Vagina Isn't Actually A Vagina, It’s A Vulva

Girls, this is a big one. You've been swanning around talking about your vajayjay like it's your best friend and you regularly refer to your vagina like it's got its own set of morals and standards. No matter how you treat your pubic region and regardless of whether your ex-boyfriend gave it a creepy name, you've probably been describing your own genitalia wrong for so long.

Your "vagina" is not your vagina. It's your vulva.

So last week we told you about the tantalising new array of 'vagina' emojis that hit our smartphones ready for you to flirt away the day, but it turns out we were a little inaccurate about them being vaginas. Of course they did feature vaginas (the…

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Featured

Is my vulva normal? Not all genitalia look the same, and we’re trying to teach teenagers that

To have a chance of making a positive impact on how adult women feel about their genital appearance, we have to reach them as adolescents.

The Word for Anatomy That Shouldn’t Be “Vulgar”

There’s a better term than vagina and vulva, both of which are confusing and also kind of wrong.

Viva la vulva: why we need to talk about women’s genitalia

Ignorance about the basic biology of vulvas is still shockingly high – yet there are huge health benefits, physical and emotional, to be won with better understanding.

Vulva health conditions: it’s time to shatter the silence

Many vulval conditions cause itchiness and pain (often described by patients as “burning”). An itchy vulva may be mistaken for thrush by patients and even healthcare professionals. But it could be common dermatological conditions such as eczema and psoriasis as they can affect the vulva too. Another condition often mistaken for thrush is lichen sclerosus, a progressive condition which can lead to distressing changes to the anatomy of the vulva, and can develop into vulval cancer.

When did the vulva become obscene?

But thanks to the influence the influence of female artists – and even advertisers – the vulva is back in the 21st century.

Why it matters to call external female genitalia ‘vulva’ not ‘vagina’

Yes, some people use the term vagina, but getting it right is vital to female sexual agency.

Articles of Interest

Me and my vulva: 100 women reveal all

First it was breasts, then penises – now photographer Laura Dodsworth has taken portraits of 100 vulvas. She tells Liv Little why.

Anatomy 101

When was the last time you looked at your vulva? Like, really looked at it? If you’re like most people, chances are high that your answer is not recently — or not ever.

Does your vulva hurt? You could have vulvodynia

If you have pain in your vulva, you’re not alone. Around 16% of women will have vulvar pain lasting longer than three months. They aren’t neurotic or promiscuous. It’s likely they are suffering from a condition called vulvodynia.

Let’s Clear Up The Vagina vs. Vulva Debate Once And For All

While vagina has emerged as the term of choice for women’s genitalia (excluding, of course, many of the ickier euphemisms, like vajeen and cooter), vulva is actually the correct term for all of the external organs including the mons pubis (pubic mound), the labia majora and minora, the all-important clitoris, the external openings of the urethra (a.k.a, the hole you pee from) and the vagina.

Needless treatments: anti-fungal creams or tablets don’t always work for vaginal itch

Some women may also be experiencing a vulval dermatitis, or even a more serious but rare condition called lichen sclerosus, which can cause itching and require completely different treatment. What’s wrong with self-treatment? If a woman uses the anti-fungal treatment and the condition clears up, usually within a few days, it’s likely that Candida albicans were responsible. But if it doesn’t clear up or keeps coming back, it’s important to have this investigated by a health professional.

Self-Exam: Vulva and Vagina

The appearance, shape, and size of genitals vary from person to person as much as the shape and size of other body parts. There is a wide range of what is considered normal. Observing your own body can help you to learn what is normal for you.

Taking the ‘Shame Part’ Out of Female Anatomy

Anatomists have bid farewell to “pudendum,” but other questionable terms remain.

The Case for Teaching Kids 'Vagina,' 'Penis,' and 'Vulva'

Sex-abuse prevention educators want children to understand that "private parts" are off limits to others. But they also want kids to be comfortable using what linguists call "standard" dialect for these parts, rather than euphemisms and colloquialisms.

The silence around vulval cancer means people are missing the signs that they have it

Experts thought vulval cancer was more common in older people, but incidence is increasing among younger women, probably in part because of the rising incidence of HPV infection. Although a lot of people are aware that HPV can lead to cervical cancer, it is less well known that HPV can also cause other cancers, including cancers of the vulva, anus, penis and vagina. The HPV vaccine protects from all HPV-related cancer, including vulval.

Tips For Keeping Your Vulva And Vagina Healthy

Why, you may ask, is it important to know my vulva and vagina? Well, knowing these parts and how to keep them healthy and happy is paramount to your overall health and well-being. There is nothing more annoying or irritating than an infection or something else gone wrong down under.

Resources

8 Reasons Your Vulva or Vagina Might Get All Swollen

Having a vulva and vagina can be pretty superb. Depending on how your specific parts work, they may offer the potential to have plentiful orgasms, give birth to cute, chunky babies, and do so many other delightful things. But having a vulva and vagina can come with downsides, too, like a swollen vulva intense enough to earn you the nickname Michelin Mons or a swollen vagina that throws you for a loop. Here are eight reasons your vagina or vulva might get all swollen.