Know Your Vagina
The vagina is a stretchy, muscular canal that plays a vital role in the female reproductive system. It serves as a passageway connecting the external genitalia (vulva) to the uterus and contains healthy and balanced bacteria and yeast cells that help protect against harmful organisms.
It is also a self-cleaning organ, maintaining its health through the production of vaginal discharges (white, clear, watery, or stretchy). For this reason, daily discharges that keep the vagina clean and lubricated are normal and can vary in color and consistency throughout the menstrual cycle.
Familiarizing yourself with your discharge changes during the cycle phases is crucial to getting to know your vagina and being able to detect any unusual changes in their aspect, color, frequency, and odor.
Potential abnormal discharges:
White, chunky, thick, and itchy: may suggest a yeast infection.
Clear or gray with an unpleasant odor: could be a sign of bacterial vaginosis.
Yellow or green, thick, and foul-smelling: may indicate the presence of a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Brown or bloody (outside of menstruation): might be associated with cervical or uterine conditions.
Regular self-examination, monitoring changes in discharge, and paying attention to any discomfort or unusual symptoms are crucial for maintaining good vaginal health. These exercises can also empower you to take care of your sexual and reproductive health, ensuring that you seek medical attention when needed.
Female Reproductive Anatomy:
Ovaries: produce eggs and hormones (estrogen and progesterone) in people who are assigned female at birth.
Fallopian Tubes: two thin tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus. They are where fertilization occurs.
Uterus: organ where the fetus grows during pregnancy.
Endometrium: the inner lining of the uterus that thickens during the menstrual cycle in preparation for pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, it sheds during menstruation.
Cervix: lower part of the uterus that connects it to the vagina.
Vagina: the muscular area that serves as the birth canal and the route for menstrual flow.
Vulva: global term for the external genitalia of people who are assigned female at birth. It includes the labia, clitoris, and vaginal opening.
Vulva Anatomy:
Labia Majora and Labia Minora: skin folds that protect the opening of the urethra and the vagina.
Clitoris: located on the top of the vulva, a highly sensitive organ that becomes engorged with blood during sex, the primary source of pleasure for people assigned female at birth. It is composed of:
Clitoris Glans: a tiny nub above the urethral opening filled with nerve endings that make it very sensitive. A source of sexual pleasure for people who are assigned female at birth.
Clitoris Crus: two erectile tissues where the labia minora meets on top of the vulva and forms a V shape. It helps in enabling sexual pleasure for people who are assigned female at birth.
Vestibular bulb: two erectile tissues close to the clitoris, gets filled with blood during sexual arousal, leading to an erection.
Bartholin’s Gland or Greater Vestibular Gland: helps in vaginal and vulvar lubrification by secreting fluids.
Vaginal Opening: external vaginal orifice.
Urethral Opening: external urethral orifice.
Hymen: thin and stretchy membrane located at the opening of the vagina, partially covering it. Contrary to common misconceptions, the hymen varies in thickness, shape, and size among individuals. The presence of the hymen is not an indicator of a woman's virginity or sexual activity.
Written by:
Cristel Lahoud | Sexual health educator, midwife
Cristel Lahoud is a sexual health educator at Marsa, holding a Bachelor's degree in Midwifery and currently pursuing a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology. Her profound dedication lies in raising awareness and promoting advocacy for both sexual and reproductive health.