Last updated:

November 4, 2022

5

 min read

All things V: Getting to know your bestie!

As vaginal owners, we have NEVER been educated about our anatomy, unless of course, you are a med student! Embracing and caring for it is even further away and it’s time you get to know your bestie inside out.

Reviewed by
Dr. Ritika Sinha
Written by
Malvika Rathi
TABLE OF CONTENTS

As vaginal owners, we have NEVER been educated about our anatomy, unless of course, you are a med student! Embracing and caring for it is even further away and it’s time you get to know your bestie inside out. 

But why do we need to educate ourselves? The reasons are endless and here are some of the important ones:

  1. To pleasure yourself and to know exactly what you seek from your partner 
  2. Maintain better hygiene down there 
  3. To lookout for early signs of several health issues 
  4. Feel more confident and embrace your body to the fullest 

We are sure you’d also be curious to know answers to questions like “are vulva and vagina the same?” and so on. So, let’s dive into it! 

1..2..3...The holes

  • The Urethral opening is the first hole and is for urinating. It's a very little hole with no sexual connotations. 
  • The Vaginal opening comes in second. This is your fundamental reproductive hole; your menstrual blood comes out from here, it’s where the babies are born and plays an active role in sexual activity. 
  • Finally, there's the Anus, which is the rectum's opening. Depending on individual choices, the anus may cause sexual arousals.  

Anatomy of the Vagina

The Clitoris

The clitoris is a sexual organ with a bulbous form. It is located at the place where the inner labia meet at the apex of the vulva. The clitoral hood is the name for this fold of skin. The clitoris may appear tiny from the outside, yet what you see is only the tip of the iceberg. It is mostly internal and not visible. The visible part of the clitoris is roughly the size of a pea.

When the clitoris gets excited, blood rushes to it, causing it to grow and become erect, just like the penis. The rest of the vulva darkens in colour as a result of the increased blood flow. When stimulated, the clitoris isn't the only component of the vulva that changes; the vagina extends and deepens as well.

The spot which loves playing hide and seek

You guessed it right! We are talking about the G spot which has always been regarded as vital to achieving a wave of pleasure like no other. But, in real terms, the G spot is more complicated than you think.

Your clitoral network includes the G spot. This means that when you stimulate the G spot, you're stimulating a wider portion of the clitoris than you are led to believe. This area varies among vaginal owners, which is why it might be tough to pinpoint. The G spot, on the other hand, can trigger ejaculation once aroused, and assist in achieving vaginal orgasm.

Vertical Lips: The Labia 

The labia (lips) are the skin folds that surround the vaginal entrance. The labia majora (outer lips) are typically plump and pubic hair-covered. Inside the outer lips are the labia minora (inner lips). They start at the clitoris and finish under the vaginal entrance. 

Labia can be wrinkled or smooth, and it can be short or long. One lip is frequently longer than the other. Their hue ranges from pink to brownish-black. As you become older, the colour of the labia may alter. Some people's outside lips are larger than their inner lips, while many people's inner lips are larger than their outer lips. When you're turned on, both are delicate and bulge.

Vulva: It’s different from your Vagina!

The vulva is made up of the exterior female genitals, which include the inner and outer labia, the clitoris, the vaginal opening, and the urethral opening. The word vulva refers to all of the external organs, which includes sexual sensations and orgasms experienced during sexual activity (except for the penetrative sex).

The vagina, on the other hand, houses the internal female genitals i.e., the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and cervix. The muscular tube that links the uterus and the vulva is known as the vagina. That's the place where babies pass through during childbirth and menstrual blood!

How your bestie transforms through age 

The vaginal area can change dramatically over time. Hormonal changes in the body have a big impact on the vaginal area. The walls of the vagina grow more flexible as people age, and the diameter of the vagina widens. Additionally, let's burst the bubble around sexual satisfaction. Sexual function is unaffected by vaginal size! 

Changing hormone levels throughout pregnancy affects the vagina. Increased blood flow to the pelvis results in a darker vulva and vaginal colour shift. The connective tissue of the vaginal walls gradually relaxes during pregnancy in anticipation of the delivery of a baby. The vagina and vaginal opening briefly expand after delivery, but the vagina returns to its pre-pregnancy size 6-12 weeks later.

When estrogen levels drop after menopause, the vaginal walls weaken and fragile, leading to symptoms of vaginal dryness and decreased vaginal secretions. This could cause sex discomfort and raise the risk of vaginal irritation or infection.

The anatomy of your bestie might seem complicated at first and difficult to comprehend too but once you actively take an interest to know her, the process will smoothen out. Understanding your body will help you gain clarity about what you like and acknowledge how beautiful you are! 

P.S We know it’s hard to talk about sexual health and intimacy. However, if you ever feel that something doesn’t feel right, checking in with a trusted doctor can be of paramount help. 

At Rocket Health, we want you to feel confident about your sexual health! Schedule an online consultation with our experts for a safe, and hassle-free experience. We promise to tackle all your bestie issues.