The vulva includes the external female genital structures.
The vulva has several functions and can look different from person to person.
Where Is Your Vulva Located?
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People often refer to the vagina for most things related to female genitals.
However, the external genital structures are all part of the vulva, including theopening to the vaginal canal.
The vulva begins at themons pubis, the fleshy covering over your pubic bone where your pubic hair grows.
The perineum is the skin before the anus.
The vulva ends at the anus, and your anus is not considered part of the vulva.
Labia Minora
The smaller lips of the vulva are also known as the labia minora.
This pair of skin folds arise at the clitoris.
The front portions form a clitoral hood before moving downward.
In doing so, they also create the borders of the vulva vestibule.
The back portions of the labia minora link together, separating them from the labia majora.
As these folds link together, they form thefrenulumof the labia minora.
This part of the body becomes engorged during sexual arousal.
Clitoris
This clitoris is an essential sex organ for people with vaginas.
On average, it is innervated by over 10,000 nerve endings.Its primary purpose is pleasure.
There are severalparts to the clitoris, and it extends into your body.
The vagina allows for the passage of menstrual blood and childbirth through the cervix.
The urethral opening is where urine comes out.
Vulva Vestibule
The word “vestibule” means a lobby.
The openings to both the urethra and vagina are in the vulva vestibule.
They are involved in fluid secretion during sexual activity.
The Skene’s glands are thought to help lubricate the urethra and vagina.
Perineum
The perineum is the skin that runs between the vaginal opening and the anus.
It stops at the anus, which is also where the vulva ends.
Careful hygiene also can help to prevent infection.
Contact with irritants and allergens can contribute to vulvar dermatitis.
Consider the following tips:
Some cases of vulvovaginitis occur in kids.
More rarely, a systemic illness (like diabetes) or sexual abuse may be the cause.
Tests
Screening and examination of parts of the vulva are an essential aspect of female health.
Prompt detection of health problems can significantly improve outcomes, especially in cases of sexually transmitted infections and cancer.
Providers will typically begin with a physical exam to visualize the vulvar structures.
Additional tests may include the following procedures.
Healthcare providers may use a special machine called a colposcope to magnify the area they are selecting to examine.
If results come up positive, other tests may be performed to assess for the spread of cancer.
This is to ensure that an uncontaminated sample is assessed.
In other cases, the clitoris and clitoral hood are larger and more prominent.
Largely, though, functionality is unaffected by these differences.
Allergies, and autoimmune conditions like psoriasis, also can affect the vulva.
Be aware of itching, pain, and related symptoms of conditions that can affect the vulva.
Talk to your healthcare provider about your vulvar health and any concerns you have.
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