The Vulva

What do you normally call AFAB genitalia? Most people categorize genitalia by penis and vagina. However, in AFAB (assigned female at birth) bodies, the vagina is the internal canal. We don't call AMAB (assigned male at birth) genitals by their internal parts, so why do we do that for AFAB genitals?

The correct term to use for AFAB bodies is vulva. The vulva can be thought of as the vagina's neighborhood. The vagina lives in the neighborhood, but it's not the whole thing. If you’re trick or treating on Halloween, you’re going to hit all the houses… not just one right?

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As you can see from below, the vulva includes many different pleasurable parts, including the clitoris. When we just call AFAB genitalia "the vagina" we are completely glossing over all the pleasurable external bits and making it seem like the vagina is the direct place to go. By using the term vulva, we are allowing all the external parts to be seen and acknowledged. Let’s go trick or treating!

Mons Pubis: also known as mons veneres (named after Venus, goddess of love & beauty). This area grows pubic hair and keeps the reproductive system warm.

Labia Majora (outer lips): the outer lips share the same embryonic tissue as the mons pubis. This area has pubic hair and is the same skin tone as the mons pubis and inner thigh area. The labia majora is the entrance to the inner lips (labia minora). This area is vasocongestive and expands when the body is stimulated.

Labia Minora (inner lips): the labia minora are the inner lips of the vulva. This area is vasocongestive and swells causing the vulva to open up and expose the vaginal introitus, clitoris, and urethral opening more. The top of the labia minora creates the clitoral hood.

Clitoris & Prepuce (check next section)

Urethral Orifice: this is where AFAB bodies urinate from. This is a separate system than the vaginal canal and is why urination can still occur while wearing a tampon.

Skene’s glands: They aren’t labeled in the diagram above, but the Skene’s glands are also known as the AFAB prostate. These glands lie alongside the urethral orifice and contribute to AFAB ejaculation. Read more about it here.

Hymen: a thin piece of mucosal tissue that either surrounds or partially covers the opening of the vagina (vaginal introitus).

Vaginal Introitus: the opening of the vaginal canal

Anus: where waste exits the body

The Clitoris

The clitoris is like an iceberg. The clitoral head that you can see externally (the little “button” at the top of the vaginal and urethral opening) is like the tip of the iceberg.

There is a whole internal structure that is responsible for sexual response. The entire structure is made of erectile tissue that fills with blood (vasocongestive) during sexual response.

First off: have you ever seen what the entire clitoris structure looks like? This is just one example of one. What are your initial impressions after seeing this one?

Clitoral Glans: This is also known as the clitoral head. The visible external part that can be seen just above the vaginal and urethral opening. This is also a homologous structure to the penile head.

Clitoral Prepuce: Also known as the foreskin or clitoral hood. The prepuce is where the labia minora (inner lips) of the vulva meet at the top of the clitoral glans. This structure can also be found on the penis (penile prepuce). This fold protects the sensitive clitoral glans. If this area is not cleaned regularly, a cheesy like substance called smegma can form.

Corpus Cavernosum: An erectile tissue that fills with blood during sexual response. Homologous to the corpus cavernosa in the penis.

Clitoral Crus: The crus of the clitoris is a V like structure composed of erectile tissue and connected to the pubic bone. Homologous to the crus of the penis. (Are you noticing a pattern?)

Vestibular Bulb: Elongated masses of erectile tissue that sit on either side of the vaginal introitus (vaginal opening). Homologous to the bulb of the penis.

Learn more about the clitoris here

The Hymen

First off, what exactly is a hymen?

A hymen is a thin piece of mucosal tissue that either surrounds or partially covers the opening of the vagina (vaginal introitus). The shape of the hymen changes with age. Some can be born with either no hymen covering their vaginal opening or the hymen could cover the vaginal opening completely (imperforate hymen).

Why is it important to know about the different hymens?
It's important to know about the different hymens especially if you have an AFAB (assigned female at birth) baby. If a baby is born with an obstructed vaginal opening (i.e. imperforate hymen), a medical procedure may be needed at the time of the start of menstrati0n, or the bl00d will not have a way to escape the body. However, imperforate hymens are rare and have a rate of 0.05%–0.1% (Lee et al., 2019)

In addition, the concept of "virginity" is tied to the hymen, even though the hymen is not an indicator that one has had sex. You may have heard of the expression "pop the cherry." This expression is used to represent the "tearing" of a hymen. It is a common belief that the hymen tears during a first penetrative experience. The hymen may "tear" or "stretch" from all kinds of experiences other than penetrative sex, and can happen at any point during childhood. This can happen from using a tampon, riding a bike, playing sports, falling on something hard. Because of this, the hymen is not an accurate determining factor for "virginity." Virginity is a social construct.

Skene’s glands

They aren’t labeled in the diagram (diagram coming soon) above, but the Skene’s glands are also known as the AFAB prostate. These glands lie alongside the urethral orifice and contribute to AFAB ejaculation.

Prostate-specific antigen (also known as PSA) is secreted from this area during stimulation and orgasm. This fluid also tends to mix with the abundant squirting fluid that is released from the bladder during stimulation. Read more about it here.