The vulva is the entire external part of the female genitalia. It includes everything you can see on the outside of the body, from the soft mound of tissue above the pubic bone down to the perineum. Many people use “vagina” when they actually mean “vulva,” but the two are distinct: the vagina is an internal canal, roughly 7 to 9 centimeters long, that connects the cervix to the outside of the body. The vulva is everything surrounding its opening.
Parts of the Vulva
The vulva is made up of several structures, each with its own role in protection, sensation, or sexual response.
The mons pubis is the rounded pad of fatty tissue that sits over the pubic bone. From puberty onward, it’s typically covered in pubic hair. It acts as a cushion during sexual intercourse and contains glands that release pheromones.
The labia majora (outer lips) are two folds of skin that run vertically on either side of the vulval opening. They enclose and protect the more delicate structures underneath, including the inner lips, clitoris, urethral opening, and vaginal opening. They’re filled with erectile tissue that becomes engorged with blood during arousal.
The labia minora (inner lips) are thinner, hairless folds tucked inside the outer lips. They begin near the clitoris, where they form the clitoral hood, and extend downward past the vaginal opening. The clitoral hood plays a specific protective role: it shields the highly sensitive clitoris so that stimulation during sex feels pleasurable rather than painful. Like the outer lips, the inner lips swell during arousal.
The clitoris is the primary organ of sexual sensation. What’s visible externally, the glans clitoris, is only a small part of the structure. Internally, the clitoris splits into two “legs” (crura) that extend back into the body. The glans alone contains roughly 8,000 nerve endings, and histological studies have found that the clitoris has an innervation density several times greater than that of the penis. It’s richly supplied with blood vessels, causing it to become erect when stimulated.
The vestibule is the smooth area between the inner lips, stretching from the clitoris down to the posterior edge of the vaginal opening. It contains both the urethral opening (where urine exits) and the vaginal opening.
Glands That Support Lubrication and Protection
Two sets of small glands sit within the vulva and play roles you’d never notice unless something goes wrong with them.
Bartholin’s glands are located near the vaginal opening, one on each side. They secrete fluid that helps lubricate the vaginal opening during sexual arousal.
Skene’s glands (also called paraurethral glands) sit on either side of the urethral opening. They’re so small they’re difficult to see. These glands secrete fluid during arousal that contributes to lubrication, and they also produce a substance that coats the urethral opening during urination, helping prevent bacteria from entering and reducing the risk of urinary tract infections. In some people, the Skene’s glands produce a mucus-like fluid during orgasm.
Normal Variation in Appearance
Vulvas differ enormously from person to person, and no single appearance is “normal” or “abnormal.” The labia minora, in particular, vary widely in length, width, shape, and color. Some people have inner lips that are barely visible between the outer lips; others have inner lips that extend well beyond them. The widest point of the inner lips differs too. In a study of 400 women, about 47% had the most prominent part of their labia minora in the middle section, 34% at the front near the clitoris, and 19% toward the back. Age and whether someone had given birth had no significant effect on shape.
Color ranges from pink to brown to dark purple, and it’s common for the inner lips to be a different shade than the surrounding skin. Asymmetry, where one side is longer or shaped differently than the other, is also completely typical.
Vulva vs. Vagina
The confusion between these two terms is widespread, but the distinction matters for health literacy. The vulva refers exclusively to the external structures. The vagina is the internal, muscular canal that leads from the cervix to the vestibule. When someone talks about itching, irritation, or changes in appearance of their genitals, they’re almost always describing something happening on the vulva, not inside the vagina. Using the correct term makes it easier to identify symptoms, communicate with a healthcare provider, and find accurate information.
How to Care for the Vulva
The skin of the vulva has a pH that ranges from about 3.5 (closer to the vaginal opening) to 4.7 (on the outer skin), making it more acidic than the rest of your body’s skin. This acidic environment supports healthy bacteria and helps ward off infection.
Gentle daily washing is generally all the vulva needs. Both the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Multidisciplinary European Committee for Aesthetics recommend using a dedicated intimate wash rather than regular soap, shower gel, or bubble bath, which can strip moisture and disrupt the skin’s natural balance. Products containing ingredients like chamomile or lactic acid have been shown to maintain adequate hydration and pH stability on vulvar skin. Douching, which involves flushing water or a cleaning solution inside the vagina, is specifically discouraged: it disrupts the vaginal microbiome and can increase the risk of infection.
Cotton underwear, avoiding prolonged exposure to wet swimwear, and wiping front to back after using the bathroom are simple habits that help prevent irritation and bacterial spread.
Common Vulvar Conditions
Several conditions can affect the vulva, and knowing their basic symptoms helps you recognize when something needs attention.
Contact dermatitis is one of the most common causes of vulvar irritation. It happens when the skin reacts to something it’s touched: scented soap, laundry detergent, synthetic underwear fabric, or even toilet paper with added fragrance. Symptoms include redness, itching, and sometimes a rash. Removing the irritant usually resolves it.
Vulvodynia is chronic vulvar pain without an identifiable cause. People describe it as burning, stinging, rawness, or a throbbing ache. The pain can be constant or triggered by touch, such as during sex or while inserting a tampon. It’s a real medical condition, not a sign of infection or something imagined.
Lichen sclerosus is a skin disorder that causes the vulvar skin to become thin, white, and crinkled. It can produce intense itching, burning, pain during sex, and small tears in the skin. White bumps with dark purple coloring sometimes appear. It’s a chronic condition that benefits from early treatment to prevent scarring.
Bartholin’s gland cysts develop when one of the Bartholin’s glands becomes blocked. A small, painless lump may form near the vaginal opening. If the cyst becomes infected, it can swell, turn painful, and require drainage.
Persistent itching, unusual pain, changes in skin color or texture, new lumps, or sores that don’t heal are all worth paying attention to. Many vulvar conditions share overlapping symptoms, so an accurate diagnosis matters for getting the right treatment.