Vulva

The vulva is the external part of the genitalia on people who were assigned female at birth. It includes the labia (inner and outer), the clitoris, the urethral opening (where you pee from), and the vaginal opening. It's often incorrectly called "the vagina" — but the vagina is the internal canal. The vulva is everything you can see on the outside.

• The vulva is the external genitalia. The vagina is the internal canal. They're different things.
• It includes the labia majora (outer lips), labia minora (inner lips), clitoris, clitoral hood, urethral opening, and vaginal opening.
• Vulvas vary hugely in appearance — size, shape, colour, and symmetry all differ from person to person.
• The correct word for the outside is "vulva," not "vagina." Using the right word matters for understanding your own body.
• All vulvas are normal. There's no one way they're supposed to look.

[DIAGRAM: Labelled front-view diagram of the vulva showing labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, urethral opening, vaginal opening]

The parts

• Labia majora (outer lips) — the larger, fleshier folds on the outside. Usually covered in pubic hair after puberty.
• Labia minora (inner lips) — thinner folds inside the outer labia. They vary enormously in size — sometimes longer than the outer labia, sometimes smaller. Both are normal.
• Clitoris — a small, sensitive organ at the top where the inner labia meet. Covered by the clitoral hood. Its only function is pleasure, and it has about 8,000 nerve endings.
• Urethral opening — the small hole below the clitoris where urine comes out. Separate from the vaginal opening.
• Vaginal opening — the entrance to the vagina, below the urethral opening.
• Perineum — the area of skin between the vaginal opening and the anus.

Each of these has its own glossary entry with more detail.

Why "vulva" matters

Most people grow up calling the whole area "the vagina." But the vagina is the inside — you can't see it from the outside. The vulva is the outside. Getting the terminology right isn't just being pedantic — it helps you understand your own anatomy, describe concerns accurately to a doctor, and feel more confident about your body.

What they look like

Vulvas are as varied as faces. The labia come in all shapes and sizes. The clitoris can be larger or smaller. The colour ranges from pink to brown to dark purple, and often the vulva is a different shade from the surrounding skin. One side is often different from the other — asymmetry is the norm, not the exception.

Porn and cosmetic surgery advertising show a very narrow range of vulva appearances, which gives a lot of people the wrong idea about what's "normal." The reality is that there's no single normal — just a massive range of variation, all of which is healthy.

Things people get wrong

"Vulva and vagina are the same thing." They're not. Vulva = outside. Vagina = inside. Most people use "vagina" when they mean "vulva," but they're different structures.

"Vulvas should look a certain way." They shouldn't. There's no correct appearance. The idea that labia should be small and symmetrical comes from porn and cosmetic surgery marketing, not from anatomy.

"You need special products to keep your vulva clean." Warm water and mild, unperfumed soap on the outside is all you need. Perfumed washes, wipes, and douches can irritate the skin and disrupt the natural balance. The vulva isn't dirty — it just needs normal hygiene.

Things people ask about the vulva

Is my vulva normal?

Almost certainly yes. The range of normal is enormous. If something is causing pain, unusual lumps, persistent itching, or concern, a GP can check — but worrying about how it looks is almost always unnecessary.

Why does my vulva look different from what I've seen online?

Because what you see online (especially in porn) represents a tiny fraction of reality. Many performers have had cosmetic surgery. Real vulvas come in every shape, size, and colour imaginable.

Should I remove pubic hair?

That's entirely your choice. Some people remove it, some trim it, some leave it natural. Pubic hair is normal and has a protective function. Whatever you prefer is fine — there's no hygiene reason to remove it.

Where to get help

• Your GP — for any pain, lumps, itching, or concerns about the vulva.
• Sexual health clinics — for infections or STI concerns.

The vulva is the name for the outside parts of a girl's or woman's private area between the legs. It's what you can see on the outside.

It includes the folds of skin on either side (the labia), the small sensitive spot near the front (the clitoris), the tiny hole where wee comes out, and the opening that leads to the inside of the body.

A lot of people call this whole area "the vagina," but that's not quite right. The vagina is the passage on the inside. The vulva is everything on the outside. They're connected but they're different parts.

Vulvas look different on every person. The folds of skin come in all shapes and sizes. The colour can be pink, brown, dark, or light. One side is often different from the other. All of this is normal.

What you see in porn is not a good guide to what's normal. Those images show a very narrow range, and many are surgically changed. Real bodies vary hugely.

To keep the vulva clean, just wash the outside with warm water or a mild, unperfumed soap. Don't use perfumed products or wash inside the body. The inside cleans itself.

There's no right or wrong way for a vulva to look. If yours isn't causing you pain or other problems, it's normal.