The Gynae Geek

Let us begin our journey by appreciating the remarkable complexity and beauty of female anatomy, starting from the outside. Many women ask, 'Does my vagina look normal?' but the truth is, the vagina is internal. What they really mean is, 'Does my vulva look normal?'. The vulva is a fascinating region composed of several parts: the mons pubis, clitoris with its hidden arms, urethral opening, labia majora and minora, the perineum, and the all-important pelvic-floor muscles.

Understanding that your vulva is on the outside and your vagina is on the inside is the first step to demystifying your body. The mons pubis, often covered in pubic hair, serves more than just an aesthetic role. It cushions the underlying skin and collects pheromones, which play a subtle but important part in sexual attraction. So, removing pubic hair is a personal choice, but it carries no proven health benefits.

The clitoris is often misunderstood. The visible part is just the tip of a wishbone-shaped organ with two internal arms that extend 5 to 7 centimeters beneath the skin. Made of the same spongy tissue as the penis, it fills with blood during arousal, yet contains two to three times as many nerves as the head of the penis. This explains why gentle stimulation is often more pleasurable than forceful pressure.

Moving to the labia, the outer labia majora are larger and skin-covered, while the inner labia minora are fleshy, often pink, and vary widely in size and shape. Many women worry about their labia being asymmetrical or protruding, but this is entirely normal. No other body part is perfectly symmetrical, so why should your labia be? Sadly, unrealistic portrayals in media and pornography have warped perceptions, leading some to consider unnecessary surgeries like labiaplasty, which carry risks and often do not improve function or satisfaction.

The pelvic-floor muscles, often overlooked, form a sling that supports the pelvic organs and controls bladder and bowel function. These muscles can weaken with age or childbirth but can be strengthened through simple exercises, such as Kegels, which everyone should practice regardless of pregnancy history.

This foundational understanding helps dispel myths, reduces embarrassment, and encourages women to seek medical advice without shame. It also lays the groundwork to explore internal anatomy and the menstrual cycle, which we will delve into next.

Now, having embraced the external wonders, let us turn our attention inward to the internal female genital anatomy and how it orchestrates life’s cycles.