The Vulva and the Vagina: Power Pair (but not the same thing!)
What’s the difference between your Vulva and Vagina? Let’s break it down.
It’s hard to believe we need a little anatomy lesson about our own body, right? The Vulva and the vagina are the dynamic duo of ‘down there,’ but so many of us were never taught the difference between the two! One crucial aspect of understanding your own body is knowing what’s what. Let's clear up any confusion and empower you with knowledge about your anatomy.
The short and sweet answer is your vagina is the internal canal, and your Vulva is everything else! But let’s dive into a little more info about both.
Vulva and Vagina: Anatomy 101
The Vulva refers to the external genitalia of the female body. The Vulva varies greatly from person to person, but includes several important parts:
Mons Pubis: the cushiony, fatty area covering the pubic bone. This is the area often covered with pubic hair (or not, depending on personal preference!)
Labia Majora: the ‘outer lips’ of the Vulva, which cover and protect the more sensitive labia minora, and are the easiest to see.
Labia Minora: the ‘inner lips’ of the Vulva that protect the clitoris, urethral opening, and vaginal opening.
Clitoris: the (seemingly) tiny, very sensitive spot at the top of the Vulva, often shrouded by the clitoral hood. Most of us are familiar with this pleasure-packed organ that helps us orgasm. Although the clitoris may appear small to the eye, it includes a whole lot more under the surface.
Vaginal Opening: the ‘gateway’ between the Vulva and the vagina
Vagina: the internal part of the female reproductive system. This muscular canal connects the Vulva to the cervix and uterus. The vaginal walls are robust and muscular, and they're lined with mucous membranes, allowing the vagina to stretch during arousal, sexual activity, childbirth, and different phases of the menstrual cycle.
Why does it matter?
Everything is connected, so why do we care? Lots of reasons! Perhaps most important, the skin of the Vulva is sensitive and needs just as much care as the skin on our face. We are inundated with options for serums, cleansers, oils, and moisturizers for our face, but the skincare part of hygiene is often overlooked when it comes to the Vulva!
For those mammas out there, understanding and using the correct terms for our own bodies will help kiddos to understand their bodies as well— promoting a healthier attitude towards body positivity and awareness.
All Vulvas are different… and they are all equally amazing!
Vulvas vary greatly in how they look, just like other parts of our body. There is no such thing as ‘normal.’ Since many of us are only exposed to images of Vulvas through mainstream messaging, it’s hard to believe they don’t all look like the Cosmo illustration you saw online. But they’re all different, and artists have even done projects to highlight the beautiful differences between our Vulvas.
Both the inner and outer labia can be smaller or larger from person to person, as well as being more open like the petals of a flower or closed like the halves of a shell. Everybody has their own feelings about pubic hair, shaving and more. The mons pubis varies in size and shape, too. No matter what, there is no shame in the differences between Vulvas, and all of them are beautiful, powerful, and a source of strength and identity.
Ditch the embarrassment
Studies show two thirds of women are too embarrassed to say the word ‘vagina’ to their doctor, let alone knowing or using the correct term for their Vulva! Overcoming this discomfort and using the correct terms is essential for open communication about our health. Most of us think it’s completely normal to clean our hair, face, and under our arms, but skip cleansing the Vulva. It’s a forgotten or even shameful part of a shower routine, and it shouldn’t be! Just like the skin on our face has specific needs, our Vulvas do, too.
But it’s self-cleaning, right?
Nope! This is a myth. It is true that the vagina is self-cleaning… but the Vulva is not. Because of this, we need to care for our Vulva differently. We all know about the culture-driven messaging trying to convince us all to clean and douche our vaginas (which is an issue: douching is unnecessary and potentially even harmful. It can lead to issues like vaginal infections and bacterial vaginosis. Yikes, not fun!) It is true that using extra cleansers can disrupt the delicate pH balance of our internal space, but that’s not true for the Vulva.
The Vulva is covered in sweat glands similar to those under our arms, so cleansing the area with something more than water is an important step to stay clean and smelling good. The sweat glands in the pelvic area– especially on the labia majora and mons pubis– are called apocrine glands, which create a thicker sweat than on the majority of the rest of the body. But regular soap can still irritate the delicate skin of the Vulva, causing dryness or rashes. So if you want to feel refreshed and clean, you should look for a Vulva-specific wash to avoid those problems!
So what’s the answer?
How you cleanse your Vulva is a personal preference just like your skincare routine, but since many things can disrupt our external pH (like hormone changes, lubes, sweat, sexual intimacy, scented soaps, and bubble baths) a Vulva-specific wash is ideal for many Vulvas! The microbiome ‘downstairs’ is home to trillions of bacteria in a delicate balance, and protected by delicate skin. Even normal daily activities like going to the gym or shaving can cause changes and irritation.
That’s where our say la V.™ comes into play. Our wash formula is packed with skincare-quality ingredients like bacteria-balancing prebiotics and jojoba oil, that moisturize and pesky ingrown bumps and ingrown hairs. The result? A comfortable and confident you. The say la V. range of products will leave your Vulva feeling soft, nourished, and fresh.
Vulva health is so important to us, and because of that delicate microbiome we mentioned earlier, we made sure all of our products are tested and approved by both dermatologists AND gynecologists, so you don’t have to worry! Our products are made in the USA, pH balanced, and include no artificial fragrances. They are also free of parabens and sulfates.
Prioritize the forgotten piece of down-there skincare
Put down the body wash and pick up say la V. Our nourishing Veauty™ wash is pH balanced to leave you feeling nourished and fresh. Our hydrating Veauty cream is lightweight, soothing, and will soften and moisturize your Vulva. And our refreshing Veauty mist is perfect for on the go freshening up with gentle rosewater and aloe for hydration and neutralizing unwanted odors!
Remember, your Vulva is an important part of your body, and it deserves the love and care you'd give any other area– and this begins with understanding the difference between the Vulva and the vagina!
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/vagina-vulva-facts#23.-Got-cramps?-Your-vagina-might-help-with-that
https://www.sciencealert.com/we-may-finally-know-how-many-nerve-endings-are-in-the-human-clitoris
