Female genitals
View as text
RFSU provides information about girls’ and women’s genitals
The vulva and vagina, or genitals, look different on everyone. The vulva is the external part of the genitals and consists of the inner and outer labia, the clitoral glans and hood, the urethral opening and the vaginal opening. The vagina is the internal part of the genitals and consists of a canal that is approximately ten cm long, as well as the internal parts of the clitoris and the cervix.
Because of taboos surrounding the vulva and vagina, a lot of people haven’t received much information about their genitals. But talking and information can help change that.
In children, the outer labia are usually the most visible, and they cover the inner labia. As you grow and enter puberty, your genitals change in appearance. For example, hair grows on the outer parts, and the labia grow and darken in color. The inner labia touch one another and protect the clitoral glans, the vaginal opening and the urethral opening. Usually when not aroused, they are wrinkled. The labia have lots of nerve endings, making them sensitive to touch.
Masturbation, which means to have sex with yourself, involves stroking your genitals or other parts of your body. Most people masturbate and do so for pleasure. Masturbation is not dangerous. Rather, it helps you get to know your body and to understand what feels good for you.
When aroused, the genitals swell. The clitoris gets bigger and stiffens, or becomes erect, just like a penis. The urethral opening and vaginal opening are located below the clitoral glans. During arousal, the vagina becomes longer and wider. It also becomes wetter.
The vaginal opening always has to be moist, just like the inside of the mouth. Many people believe there is a membrane that covers the vaginal opening, but this is false. Menstrual blood and discharge would not be able to exit the body if this were true. Discharge is a fluid that occurs naturally in the vagina. It cleans and protects the vagina from infection. Discharge is always there and can vary in color and quantity. When you wash, it is best to wash only the outer parts of the genitals using lukewarm water or an unscented oil.
Some girls’ and women’s genitals have been changed through a surgical procedure. For example, the genitals may be sewn up. This makes it hard for discharge, menstrual blood and urine to come out as they should, which can cause pain. You can get medical help to reopen the vaginal opening. If you have undergone genital mutilation, or circumcision, as it is also called, then the inner and sometimes also the outer labia have been removed. All or part of the clitoral glans or hood may have been removed. Many women can still experience pleasure, though, because most of the clitoris is located inside the body, and it is fully 10 cm long. Female genital mutilation is illegal in Sweden, as well as in many other countries.
When you get older, the genitals change and this is when the inner labia are usually the most visible. Menopause happens at around age 50 in most women. This means that menstruation first becomes irregular, and then stops altogether. For some people, the mucous membranes of the vagina become drier and somewhat sensitive.
If you are worried or have questions about your genitals, you can talk with a midwife or doctor. If you are young, you can also visit a school nurse or a youth clinic. Everyone looks different and the genitals continue to change throughout life.
About the video
The video on female genitals shows what the vulva and vagina look like and how they work. You will also learn what happens in your genitals when you are sexually aroused, what female genital mutilation or circumcision means, and how the genitals change over a lifetime.
Questions to think about after the video
- Does the video contain any information you didn’t already know? Why is it good to have knowledge about the genitals?
- What words are there for girls’ and women’s genitals in your language? Are the words equally suitable in different situations? What word or words do you use?
- Some people are ashamed or worried about how their vulva looks, smells or tastes. This can make it more difficult to enjoy sex. What can they do to stop feeling this way?
Do you want to talk about the video?
Talking with someone about the video can feel important and give new insights. You might have questions and thoughts that are good to discuss with others rather than just thinking about them on your own. By sharing and listening to each other, we can get support and learn together.
Would you like to start a group and talk about the videos? Here are some tips about what you can do.
