No vulva and vagina are the same, just like the rest of your body. If you want to learn more about your private part, how to check if it’s normal and how to take good care of it, this blog is written for you!

Is my vulva and vaginal normal?

It might come as a surprise but not everyone can differentiate vagina from vulva. The vulva consists of the external female sex organs — your clitoris, lips (labia majora and labia minora), vaginal opening, and the opening to your urethra. Meanwhile, the vagina is the inside – the elastic, muscular canal that connects your vulva to your cervix and uterus.

If someone says all vulvas look the same, they obviously have little knowledge about this private part. Your vaginas and vulvas are unique, just like your face — sure that they all have particular parts that are the same, but their looks vary. Labia (the inner and outer lips) comes in different shapes, colors, and sizes. People’s labia might be dangly, puffy or even barely-there. In some cases, people might have the labia minora that sticks out past their labia majora while others have more tucked-in labia minora.

The same applies to vaginal openings, some might be wide, some are smaller. The clitoris also has its own freedom when it comes to sizes and shapes. It can be big or small, visible or tucked away under the clitoral hood. Don’t worry if you vulva looks asymmetrical, it’s really common for one side to be different than the other. And we haven’t mentioned its color range yet! It can be pink or purplish or reddish or brown. And the variation also comes from the different textures, types, and amounts of pubic hair.

Most people with vulvas are born with the hymen, a thin, fleshy tissue covering the vaginal opening. Some hymens cover most of their external vaginal opening, and some are not existent at all. The hymen can be stretched and opened up during normal, every activities such as riding a bike, doing sports, or putting something inside the vagina (tampon, finger or masturbating tools). Sexual penetration (penis-inside-vagina) can also stretch your hymen.

How to know if my vaginal discharge is normal

Vaginal discharge starts to come out during puberty and can be easily spotted on your underwear. Usually the discharge looks clear, white or yellow, especially when dried. The color might change to brown or pink around your period.

Throughout your menstrual cycle, your vaginal discharge varies day by day. Some days it can be plenty, some other days it can be nonexistent. The texture, the color can also vary but don’t worry, most discharges is totally normal. It’s just the outcome of your body cleaning itself.

However, you should always keep an eye on how your vulva and vaginal discharge normally looks and smells. Any change in the color or smell can be a sign of an infection. Visit your gyno when your discharge looks green, grey, foamy, clumpy, and/or smells foul. But don’t stress over it! Vaginal infections aren’t rare and quite easy to treat.

When you’re sexually aroused, your vagina will feel more wet than usual. That’s how your vagina produces a natural lubricant to prepares for a smooth and painless sexual penetration. Without it, sex can be uncomfortable and painful. If you are experiencing vaginal dryness as well as its consequences, check out Vagifirm to replenish yourself with more estrogen.

How to clean my genitals

This private part needs some gentle care so you should only use water and mild soap to wash the outside parts. Your vagina can clean itself so don’t put soaps or other cleaners up inside it as it might do more harm than good.

Don’t worry if your vaginal discharge doesn’t smell like a rose even when it’s clean. A light smell is totally normal and nothing to be ashamed of! Be very careful to use douches, vaginal deodorants or perfumes as they can actually cause irritation and infections.