Sense Project

Welcome to our newest anonymous-question-answerer, Gabrielle!  Gabrielle is a Sexology student at UQAM and a beloved stagiaire here at Head & Hands. Today she waxes poetic about the varieties of vulvas out there…

Q: how many types of vagina do we have?

An important thing to note is that there’s a lot of confusion in our day-to-day language about the female genitals, especially about the difference between the vagina and the vulva. The vulva refers to the outer portion of the genitals formed by the clitoris, the hood of the clitoris, the outer and the inner labia, the opening of the urethra and the opening of the vagina. The vagina is the internal part: it’s the canal that connects the vulva to the cervix and the uterus (the inner genitals). Check out the diagram below to see how it all comes together!

In any case, the precise number of different types of vulvas and vaginas are impossible to determine. Everybody is shaped differently to begin with, and people can alter the appearance of their genitals in different ways (e.g. piercing, shaving, tattoos or dyes)

As cliché as it sounds, every vulva is a unique piece of art. It has its own colour, size, amount of hair, and texture. Colour can range from a subtle pink to a rich brown tone. The clitoris, its hood and the labia can be very small and the skin tight, or larger and with the skin more elastic. Inner labia might be longer or shorter, sometimes extending below the outer labia and sometimes not. All of these things are normal!  It’s also important to note that the inner labia (like breasts and testicles) usually differ in size. For example, your inner right labia might stick out beyond your outer labia a lot more than the left one.

To get a better idea of variations, and to appreciate their difference, take a look at these pictures of vulvas after the break (NOTE: may not be acceptable viewing material in certain workplaces or schools!)

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Click on the image to enlarge the chart!

I love this chart SO MUCH. I find it’s super-helpful for learning about how vaginal fluid (or “discharge”) looks and feels over the course of a menstrual cycle. It’s awesome because it accepts that vaginal fluid is a healthy part of your body and provides a range of possibilities of what it can be like. I also like how it provides a “Symptoms of true vaginal infection” list alongside. Click below to read more!

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They come in all shapes and sizes!

Since yesterday was V-Day, I think that it’s particularly fitting to talk about the vagina.

Is yours too tight, too loose, too smelly or too hairy? Well, I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t matter. Vaginas come in all shapes and sizes (and scents). And, if you’re not comfortable with your own, then you might not be getting the most out of sex or your partner. So, take that hand mirror out and start exploring. I can guarantee a mesmerizing experience. *Teehee*

To finish things off, here is an excerpt from Eve Ensler’s My Angry Vagina monologue:

“Don’t believe him when he tells you it smells like rose petals when it’s supposed to smell like pussy. That’s what they’re doing, trying to clean it up, make it smell like bathroom spray or a garden. All those douche sprays, floral, berry, rain. I don’t want my pussy to smell like berries or rain. All cleaned up like washing a fish after you cook it. I want to taste the fish. That’s why I ordered it.”

As I said, Hymen usually breaks (if it hasn’t already) during the first penetration (tampon, finger, toy or penis). It is absolutely normal. Since it is a thin membrane that is breaking and it is part of the body, it is possible that it hurts the first (or first few) time. It might even bleed. All of this is normal.

You have to talk to your partner and feel comfortable, in order to be able to tell them if you want them to stop. Also, if you are relaxed, your muscles will be too, and it will facilitate the lubrification and the penetration.

Remember: Virginity isn’t all about the hymen. You might consider you had your first sexual contact, even tho your hymen is still intact.

If you have any concerns about your virginity, your hymen or your vagina, it is always good to talk to your gynecologist.

Voici un site internet plus que complet sur le vaginsime. Il offre des informations pour les femmes, leur partenaire et les professionnels travaillants avec cette problématique. Évidemment, il n’est pas disponible en français, mais ce n’est généralement pas trop difficile à comprendre.

Parmi toutes les informations sur le site, il ya des trucs pour que le pap test soit le moins douloureux et inconfortable possible, des questions et réponses sur le vaginisme, les pour et contre des traitements, des tests à faire soit-même et une foule de renseignement sur les effets du vaginismes et d’où ça peut provenir, les mythes et réalités etc.!

J’espère que cela pourra aider quiconque veut en savoir plus sur le vaginisme ou trouver pourquoi elles ressentent certaines choses. Il n’ a pas tant de gens qui connaissent le vagnismes, même parmi les personne qui en sont atteintes.

Voici une bref résumé de ce qu’est le vaginisme et comment il affecte le corps de la femme (ces informations se trouve dans la section ”What is vaginismus”):

Le vaginismes est la réaction défensive que le vagin a quand il a mal ou peur.

Le vaginisme ce sont les muscles pelviens qui se contractent dans l’anticipation de la douleur, comme le poing sur l’image ci-dessous.

Le vaginisme est la condition médicale qui rend douloureux ou impossible pour une femme d’insérer quelquechose à l’intérieur de son vagin.

Le vaginismes c’est l’expérience d’un ”mur de brique” ou de la fermeture de l’ouverture vaginale pour une femme quand elle essaie de faire l’amour.

Si vous voulez en savoir plus, rendez vous au : http://vaginismus-awareness-network.org/

This is a website much complete on vaginismus. It offers informations for womens, their partner and also for practitioners. Here is an overview of what infos can be found on the site: advices for the pap smear to be the least incomfortable and least hurting possible, Q&A on vaginismus, pros and cons on treatment, self guides and tons of infos on what is vaginismus, what does it do, where does it come from, myth, realities ect.!

I hope this helps anyone who wants to know more about this or figure out why they might feel a certain way. Not much people know what is vaginismus, even ones that have it.

Here some quick key fact on what is vaginismus and how it affects the female body (comes from the ”What is vaginismus” section).

Vaginismus is the defensive reaction a vagina has when she is afraid or in pain.

Vaginismus is pelvic muscles clamping shut in anticipation of pain, like the fist of the picture above.

Vaginismus is the medical condition which makes it painful or impossible for a woman to insert anything inside her.
Vaginismus is experiencing a brick wall or closed vaginal opening when trying to make love.

If you want to know more, just go to the link above and read on!