Vulva anatomy
Short answer
The vulva is everything on the outside: the mons pubis, outer and inner labia, clitoral hood and glans, the urethral opening, the vaginal opening and the glands around it. Shape, size and color vary widely from person to person, and almost all of that variation is normal.
- The vulva is the outside; the vagina is the internal canal.
- Inner labia are often longer than outer labia, and that is normal.
- Urine leaves through the urethra, not the vagina.
- Color, symmetry and hair pattern differ a lot between healthy people.
What counts as the vulva
The vulva is the external genital area. It runs from the pubic bone at the front to the perineum at the back, and sits between the thighs. It includes several separate structures, each with its own job.
The vagina is not part of the vulva. It is the internal canal that starts at the vaginal opening. If the difference is still fuzzy, vulva vs vagina covers it in detail.
What are the main parts
| Part | Where it is | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Mons pubis | Fatty mound over the pubic bone | Cushions the bone, grows hair after puberty |
| Labia majora (outer lips) | Two outer folds, usually with hair | Protect the inner structures |
| Labia minora (inner lips) | Thinner, hairless folds inside the outer lips | Protect the openings, swell with arousal |
| Clitoral hood and glans | Where the inner lips meet at the top | Hood covers the glans, the most sensitive point |
| Urethral opening | Below the clitoris, above the vaginal opening | Where urine leaves the body |
| Vestibule | The area enclosed by the inner lips | Contains both openings and several glands |
| Vaginal opening | Below the urethral opening | Entrance to the vagina |
| Perineum | Skin between the vaginal opening and anus | Supports the pelvic floor, can tear in childbirth |
What does each part actually do
Mons pubis and outer labia
Both are made of skin over a layer of fat. They protect the more delicate tissue inside. After puberty they grow hair, which helps reduce friction. Removing hair is a personal choice, but shaving and waxing are common causes of ingrown hairs and small infected bumps.
Inner labia
The inner lips have no hair and contain many nerve endings and blood vessels. They vary more than any other part of the vulva. They can be short or long, smooth or wrinkled, pink, brown or dark purple, and one side is often longer than the other. Inner labia that extend past the outer labia are common and normal.
Clitoris
The visible part is the glans, under the hood where the inner lips join. It is packed with nerve endings and its only known function is sexual pleasure. The glans is just the tip: most of the clitoris lies under the skin and wraps around the vaginal opening. Clitoris anatomy explains the full structure.
Vestibule and its glands
The vestibule is the smooth area inside the inner lips. It contains:
- The urethral opening, a small slit or dot. Urine comes from here, not from the vagina.
- Skene's glands, on either side of the urethra, which release a small amount of fluid.
- Bartholin's glands, at roughly the four and eight o'clock positions of the vaginal opening, which produce lubrication. If the duct blocks, a cyst can form, which may become a painful abscess.
The vestibule is also a common site of pain during sex. Burning or sharp pain at the entrance is covered in pain at the vaginal opening.
Vaginal opening and hymen
The hymen is a thin, flexible rim of tissue around the vaginal opening. Its shape varies widely from birth. It does not "pop", and its appearance cannot reliably show whether someone has had sex. For what to expect, see first-time sex.
Perineum
The perineum is the skin and muscle between the vaginal opening and the anus. Underneath it sits the center of the pelvic floor. This area can tear or be cut during vaginal birth, and scar tissue here is a common cause of pain afterward. Postpartum recovery covers healing.
How the vulva changes over a lifetime
- Puberty. Hair grows, the labia get larger and often darker, and discharge starts.
- Monthly cycle. Sensitivity and discharge change with hormone levels.
- Arousal. Blood flow increases, the labia and clitoris swell and darken, and the glands produce more fluid.
- Pregnancy. Increased blood flow can cause swelling, darker color and sometimes varicose veins on the vulva.
- Menopause. Lower estrogen makes the tissue thinner, drier and less elastic. The labia may get smaller and the vestibule more easily irritated.
How to check your own vulva
Looking at your vulva once in a while makes it easier to spot something new. Use a hand mirror in good light, sitting or squatting.
Things to look for:
- Lumps, bumps or sores that were not there before
- Patches of skin that look white, red, thickened, shiny or cracked
- Moles or dark patches that are new or changing
- Swelling on one side of the vaginal opening
Most bumps turn out to be ingrown hairs, blocked glands or skin tags. A change that persists for more than two weeks is still worth a check, because vulvar skin conditions such as lichen sclerosus and, rarely, vulvar cancer are easier to treat when found early.
How to look after vulvar skin
- Wash with warm water. Skip scented soaps, wipes, sprays and bubble baths.
- Pat dry rather than rubbing.
- Choose breathable cotton underwear and change out of wet swimwear or gym clothes soon after.
- Use a lubricant for sex if there is any dryness or friction.
- Never wash inside the vagina. It cleans itself, and douching increases the risk of infection.
Quick questions
Is it normal for one labium to be bigger than the other?
Yes. Asymmetry of the inner labia is very common, and many people have one side noticeably longer or a different shape. It only needs a check if it is new, painful, swollen, or causing rubbing or irritation that does not settle with looser clothing.
Should the vulva be washed with soap?
Plain warm water is enough for most people. If you prefer a cleanser, choose something mild and unperfumed and keep it to the outer skin only. Scented washes, wipes and sprays are common triggers for irritation and itching.
Why is the vulva a different color from the rest of my skin?
Vulvar skin is often darker, pinker, browner or more purple than surrounding skin, and the color can deepen with arousal, pregnancy or age. A new, distinct patch of color, especially one that is changing, is worth showing to a clinician.