Knowing everything about the female intimate area should be a priority for every woman.It is part of overall health. Besides that it allows you to better enjoy sexual encounters as well as prevent diseases of any kind or solve problems related to its structure. In this case we will talk about the vulva, which is necessary to differentiate from the vagina.
The vulva is the outer part of the vagina and is composed of the labia majora and labia minora, the clitoris, the opening of the urethra and the vaginal orifice. It is the most exposed and protective area inside the female intimate area. But did you know that there are different types of vulva? Well, that is what we will be talking about in this article that you cannot miss. At the same time, we are going to debunk some of the most common myths about this part of a woman’s body.
What forms of vulva are there?
The vulva has a sexual function as the external organs are highly innervated, which produces pleasure when stimulated in the right way. It is also associated with many secretions containing a mixture of chemicals such as urea, pyridine, lactic acid, acetic acid, glycols, complex alcohols, aldehydes and ketones. Likewise, it acts as the entrance to the uterus or womb, as well, offers protection to the internal sexual organs. However, there are vulvae that have a different appearance and structure from each other and we will get to know them below.
1. Butterfly Vulva
Also known as long and prominent labia minora, it is a type of vulva where the labia minora are longer than the labia majora. the labia minora are longer than the labia majoraoverlapping the labia minora. In some cases these inner folds only protrude a little, while in others the difference is evident. When this characteristic is too exaggerated it is considered a medical abnormality, known as hypertrophy of the labia minora.
2. Swan-like vulva
This has the characteristic that the labia minora are long and visible forming a kind of tail backwards and a very prominent clitoris, which is easily visible. It is also known as pearl or oyster vulva.
3. Horseshoe vulva
It is that vulva that is characterized by presenting in the upper part, the labia minora larger than the labia majora and more separated, generating that the inner lip is exposed and visible. Meanwhile, the lower labia majora are larger the lower labia majora are larger, which allows them to cover the labia minora, resulting in a similar shape to the labia minora.This results in a shape resembling a horse shoe.
4. Flemish Vulva
This is a type of vulva also known as a tail coat. Its labia minora are large, covering the upper lips. But its main peculiarity is that they have folds and undulations that fall simulating the tail of a flamenco costume.
5. Olympic flame type vulva
It is a vulva that has a clitoris covered by a cap of a much larger size than the organ it covers than the organ it covers, which resembles an Olympic flame.
6. Tulip vulva
This is a very common type of vulva. In this case, the labia minora are completely covered by the upper labia. Therefore, only a small part of it is visible and gives the shape of a tulip bud.
7. Barbie type vulva
The labia minora are narrower and are hidden by the upper lips, it is a rare type of vulva and is considered as ‘the most aesthetic’. is considered to be ‘the most aesthetic’.. It is called Barbie because it resembles the way this doll usually has them, it is also known as closed eye vulva or kissing vulva.
8. Doll type vulva
It is very similar to the Barbie type, but in this case, the lips appear to be swollen or bulging, protruding slightly from the pubic bone. It is also known as inflamed vulva or swollen vulva.
9. Vulva with asymmetrical labia minora
As the name suggests, it is a vulva where one side of the labia minora one of the sides of the labia minora is longer than the other andand overlaps the labia majora. Although they may seem very strange, the reality is that they are quite common in women.
What are the myths about vulvas?
There are several myths about vulvas that have spread over the years, but nowadays several of them have been disproved, as we will know below.
1. Sex changes the size of the vulva
It is a very popular belief that having sex can widen the vulva. While during sexual activity the vagina dilates and increases in size thanks to the relaxation of the vaginal muscles, once intercourse is over, it returns to its normal size..
2. Virginity influences the narrowing of the vulva.
This is a complete myth, there are women who have narrow vulvas due to their own structure. However, if there is pain during penetration during intercourse, it is synonymous with vaginismus.
3. The narrowness of the vulva gives more pleasure
Sexual pleasure is obtained with the stimulation of the vaginal walls and the clitoris.Therefore, the vaginal diameter and the shape of the vulva do not influence the pleasure either before or after intercourse.
4. Pregnancy enlarges the vulva
This myth is very popular especially with multiple pregnancies. The truth is that although the muscles that make up the pelvic floor can dilate, the vulva returns to its regular size after a while. However, there are some conditions that can weaken the pelvic floor during childbirth such as prolapses that affect the elasticity and shape of the vulva.
5. The vulva is the vagina
As we have already clarified above, the vulva is not the same as the vagina, as they are two completely different physical structures. The vulva is the set of external sexual organs of the woman. The vagina, on the other hand, is an internal canal, the vagina is an internal canal that extends from the vulva to the uterus.This is the part that has direct contact with the penis or sex toys during sexual activity.
Why are there dark vulvas?
Just like people’s skin, the vulva has different shades. Many women have darker coloration than the rest of the body, while others have lighter tones. Dark coloration around the vulva is more normal than you might think. and may be due to different physiological, external or hygienic reasons. So it is important to go to the doctor you trust to find out what is the particular cause of this darkening and, if necessary, to know what treatments to follow.
These are some of the causes of darkening of the area around the vulva:
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The variation of colors in the skin of the intimate area may occur due to sexual intercourse that causes the vulvar area to become a little darker because of the accumulation of blood in the area and the excitement.
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The use of intimate products, whose chemicals can alter the body’s pH.
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External agents such as the use of tight-fitting underwear or underwear that is not made of a breathable and comfortable fabric such as cotton.
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Internal factors such as hormonal changes, insulin problems or hereditary genetics.
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Vaginal infections can also affect the color of the skin in the intimate area, due to accumulated fungi. If this is the case, it is necessary to see a doctor immediately.
Can the size of the vulva be modified?
There are many women who are very concerned about the way their vulvas look, finding them unattractive, which affects the enjoyment of sexual intercourse and can lead to dissatisfaction and low self-esteem. At the same time, there are women who, having larger than normal labia, feel discomfort or pain when having intimacy, affecting their sexual life and creating very negative expectations about their physique.
For both cases there is an operation called labiaplasty or labial reduction.This operation consists in correcting or altering the shape of the vulva, specifically the vaginal lips in their shape, length or volume. It is necessary that this operation is performed by an expert professional and must be supervised by a gynecologist.
Once the surgery has been performed, it is advisable to rest both physically and sexually, because the healing process is slow since it is a very humid area. After the rest time recommended by the specialist, you can return to normal daily activities.
Remember that knowing your intimate area is part of knowing yourself and taking care of your health, so do not hesitate to ask your gynecologist for advice. do not hesitate to ask your trusted gynecologist about any abnormalities you see or feel in your intimate area, as well as the structural shape of your intimate area.as well as the structural shape of your vulva. After all, this is the only way you will be able to deal with any doubts or problems you may have.