Your vulva is the entire external part of your genitals, everything you can see on the outside of your body. Many people use the word “vagina” when they actually mean the vulva, but the vagina is just one internal structure. The vulva includes your labia, clitoris, urethral opening, and vaginal opening, and it varies widely in appearance from person to person.
Parts of the Vulva
The vulva is made up of several distinct structures, each with its own role. Starting from the top, the mons pubis is the rounded, fatty area over your pubic bone where pubic hair grows. Below that sits the clitoris, partially hidden under a small hood of skin. On either side of your genital area are two sets of skin folds: the labia majora (the outer lips) and the labia minora (the inner lips). Between the inner lips is the vestibule, a smooth area that contains two openings: the urethral opening where urine exits, and the vaginal opening just below it.
Small glands are also tucked into this area. They produce moisture that helps with lubrication during arousal and keeps the skin from drying out.
The Vulva Is Not the Vagina
This is the most common mix-up in anatomy. The vagina is a muscular tube inside your body that connects the vulva to the cervix and uterus. It’s where menstrual blood exits and where babies pass through during birth. The vulva is everything on the outside. When you look at your genitals in a mirror, you’re looking at your vulva. You can see the vaginal opening, but the vagina itself is internal.
The Clitoris Is Bigger Than You Think
The visible part of the clitoris, called the glans, is a small nub at the top of the vulva where the inner lips meet. But the glans is just the tip. Inside the body, the clitoris extends into a structure shaped like an upside-down wishbone. Two legs, called the crura, branch off from the body of the clitoris and surround the vaginal canal and urethra. Two bulbs sit alongside the vaginal wall and swell with blood during arousal, sometimes doubling in size.
The clitoris is packed with nerve endings and is the primary organ for sexual pleasure. It’s an erectile structure, meaning it fills with blood and becomes firm when stimulated, similar to how the penis works.
What “Normal” Looks Like
Vulvas vary enormously. One of the most common concerns people have is whether their labia are a normal size or shape, and the short answer is that the range is massive. A study measuring the labia minora in women who had no labial complaints found widths ranging from about 7 to 50 millimeters and lengths from 20 to 100 millimeters. The median width was 19 millimeters, and the median length was about 35 millimeters, but there was no clear dividing line between “normal” and “abnormal.” The researchers specifically noted that cutoff values used to define labial hypertrophy should be avoided, because the data simply show natural human variation.
Color also varies. Vulvar skin can be pink, brown, reddish, or darker than the surrounding skin, and it’s common for the inner lips to be a different shade than the outer lips. Asymmetry is also typical. One labium being longer, thicker, or differently shaped than the other is completely ordinary.
How the Vulva Changes Over Time
The vulva doesn’t stay the same throughout your life. During puberty, the mons pubis and labia develop, pubic hair grows, and the tissues become more defined. During pregnancy, increased blood flow can cause the vulva to appear darker or feel swollen.
The most significant changes happen around menopause. As estrogen levels decline during perimenopause and beyond, the vulvar and vaginal tissues become thinner, drier, less elastic, and more fragile. This can lead to dryness, burning, or itching. The vaginal canal may also shorten and tighten. These changes are collectively known as genitourinary syndrome of menopause and are extremely common.
How to Care for Your Vulva
Vulvar skin is more sensitive than skin elsewhere on your body, so less is more when it comes to cleaning. Wash the vulva with warm water only. Do not apply soap directly to the vulvar skin. If you use soap on surrounding areas, choose an unscented formula made for sensitive skin. Avoid anything with fragrance, even products labeled “gentle” or “mild.”
A few other guidelines from dermatologic care recommendations:
- Toilet paper: Use white, unscented varieties. Avoid options with aloe or those marketed as “ultra-soft” or “ultra-strong.”
- Underwear: Wear white, all-cotton underwear during the day. Avoid nylon, thongs, and underwear with only a cotton crotch panel. Skipping underwear at night allows airflow.
- Pads: Choose pads with a cotton liner against the skin rather than a nylon mesh surface, which traps moisture.
- Hair removal: Shaving and chemical hair removal products can irritate vulvar skin. Trimming with scissors is a gentler option.
- Douching: Never douche. The vagina cleans itself, and douching disrupts the naturally acidic environment (a pH between 3.8 and 4.5) that keeps harmful bacteria in check.
Remove wet clothing, including swimsuits and sweaty workout gear, as soon as you can. When doing laundry, use a fragrance-free detergent and skip scented dryer products.
Signs Something May Be Wrong
Occasional mild itching or irritation is common, often triggered by a new product, tight clothing, or friction. But some symptoms deserve attention. Persistent redness, itching, or burning that doesn’t resolve on its own can signal a skin condition or infection. Pain during urination or sex, unusual lumps or bumps, cracks in the skin, or changes in color or texture that seem new and don’t go away are all worth getting checked. Many vulvar conditions are straightforward to treat when caught early.