Get to know your vulva
and what makes it special
It’s very normal for your vulva to look different, everyone’s is unique. However, these are some typical features.
The vulva is the exterior part of your genital anatomy, whereas your vagina is the tube that connects your vulva and your cervix.
Vaginal opening is where sex toys, penises, and fingers could potentially go inside.
Urethra is located a little below your clitoris, this is the hole where you urinate.
Clitoris is your pleasure centre. It is where you are likely to feel the most sensitive. The clitoris often can’t be seen without pushing back the overlying tissue called the clitoral hood.
Labia minora and labia majora. These inner and outer lips wrap around your vaginal opening. Your labia, as well as your clitoris, swell when you’re aroused.
Every vulva comes in many different shapes and sizes
Jamie McCartney, ‘The Great Wall of Vagina’, 2012
The clitoris is your pleasure centre, with thousands of nerve endings. It’s there to make you feel good!
What you can see usually under the clitoral hood is just the tip of the clitoris — this is called the glans. Everyone’s is different and it can be all different shapes and sizes.
The clitoris is often neglected in sexual encounters, so getting to know how to stimulate it can help you get in touch with your pleasure. According to research as few as 4% of women reported penetration as “their most reliable route to orgasm.”3 Clitoral stimulation, with hands or vibrators, either by itself, paired with penetration or other activities is far more reliable to achieve orgasm.
Getting in touch with your clitoris feels great and can hopefully show you how to integrate clitoral stimulation into your sexual encounters whether solo or with a partner, for fulfilling sex!
References
Mahar EA, Mintz LB, Akers BM. Orgasm Equality: Scientific Findings and Societal Implications. Current Sexual Health Reports. 2020;12:24-32.
Mintz LB. Becoming cliterate: why orgasm equality matters - and how to get it. New York.: HarperOne; 2017.
Wade LD, Kremer EC, Brown J. The incidental orgasm: the presence of clitoral knowledge and the absence of orgasm for women. Women Health. 2005;42:117-38.
