They may or may not protrude below your labia majora. More often than not, the inner lips are longer than and stick out from the outer lips. This difference in length may be more subtle, with the inner lips just barely peeking out, or more pronounced. Prominent outer lips sit much lower on your vulva. The skin may be thick and puffy or thin and a bit loose — or somewhere in between.
These are a form of prominent inner lips. They can dangle up to an inch or more! They may even hang outside of your underwear. You may notice a bit of extra skin or additional folds.
These are a form of prominent outer lips. This may give your inner lips a little more exposure. Your outer lips are flat and rest up against your pubic bone, but are separated slightly, showing your labia minora. With this type, your inner and outer lips are usually the same size. They can usually be seen from the top to the bottom of your outer lips. What we do know stems from two small studies, one done in and one in For example, neither study:.
But they do help establish that each labia may be longer or shorter, or thicker or thinner, than its counterpart. Regardless of what the average size may be, if your labia minora or majora are especially sensitive or prone to pain and discomfort , you may be experiencing symptoms of labial hypertrophy.
This is the medical term for enlarged labia. Most cancers of the vulva are squamous cell carcinomas. This type of cancer starts in squamous cells, the main type of skin cells. There are several subtypes of squamous cell carcinoma:. Cancer that starts in gland cells is called adenocarcinoma. About 8 of every vulvar cancers are adenocarcinomas.
Vulvar adenocarcinomas most often start in cells of the Bartholin glands. These glands are found just inside the opening of the vagina. A Bartholin gland cancer is easily mistaken for a cyst build-up of fluid in the gland , so it's common to take awhile to get an accurate diagnosis.
Most Bartholin gland cancers are adenocarcinomas. Adenocarcinomas can also form in the sweat glands of the vulvar skin. Paget disease of the vulva is a condition in which adenocarcinoma cells are found in the top layer of the vulvar skin. In the remaining patients, the cancer cells are found only in the skin's top layer and have not grown into the tissues below.
Melanomas are cancers that start in the pigment-producing cells that give skin color. They are much more common on sun-exposed areas of the skin, but can start in other areas, such as the vulva. Vulvar melanomas are rare, making up about 6 of every vulvar cancers. More information on this can be found in Melanoma Skin Cancer. Vaginal conditions usually respond best to treatment when caught early, so make sure to follow up with a doctor if you notice any of these symptoms.
While several conditions can affect the vagina, you can reduce your risk for developing many of them. The female urethra is a small tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body during urination. The uterine venous plexus includes two uterine veins. These arise from the side of the uterus, where they also connect with the vaginal and ovarian…. The vaginal vein refers to the group of blood vessels located near the genitalia on the female human body.
They are part of a network of blood vessels…. The ovarian artery is unique to female anatomy, as it is part of a woman's reproductive system. This blood vessel relays oxygen-rich blood to the….
The cervix of the uterus, also known as the cervix or uterine cervix, attaches the vagina to the uterus. A venous plexus is complex network of interconnected blood vessels. The vaginal venous plexus is comprised of small veins on the sides of the vagina….
The fimbriae of the uterine tube, also known as fimbriae tubae, are small, fingerlike projections at the end of the fallopian tubes, through which…. The final product of the human reproductive system is a baby, and women bear the brunt of the physical workload in the process. The process of…. The uterine vein refers to a group of blood vessels found near the genitalia on the female body.
These veins are considered part of a network of blood…. The vagus nerve is the longest of the 12 cranial nerves. Here, learn about its anatomy, functions, and the kinds of health problems that can occur. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Vagina Overview. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. The vulva includes the: labia vaginal opening clitoris urethra The vagina is a muscular canal lined with nerves and mucus membranes. Anatomy and function. Vaginal opening The vaginal opening, also called the vaginal vestibule or introitus , is the opening into the vagina.
Vaginal wall The vaginal wall is made of muscle covered in a mucus membrane, similar to the tissue in your mouth. Hymen The hymen is a thin membrane that surrounds the opening to the vagina. These include: Imperforate hymen.
An imperforate hymen completely covers the opening to the vagina, blocking menstrual flow. It needs to be repaired with minor surgery. Microperforate hymen. A microperforate hymen is a very thin membrane that almost completely covers the vaginal opening. Minor surgery is used to create a larger opening. The vagina also changes in response to hormonal fluctuations of the menstrual cycle.
Around mid-cycle, when estrogen is highest, vaginal tissue becomes thicker and fuller 5. The cervix, at the top of the vagina, moves and changes shape throughout the cycle. Before and after the fertile window, the cervix is low and can be felt in the vagina, with a firm texture, and the hole in the center of the cervix is closed.
During the fertile window, the hole in the cervix opens to facilitate the entrance of sperm into the uterus 7 , the cervix rises higher in the vagina, and is softer when touched 8. Use Clue to track all things related to your vagina: bleeding, discharge, sex, and contraception. The vagina can also undergo more rapid changes, such as during sexual activity. When a person with a vagina is sexually aroused, increased blood flow is directed towards the genitals, causing the vaginal tissue to become engorged with blood, and additional lubrication to be produced.
This fluid is called arousal fluid. During sexual excitement, the vagina expands by lengthening and widening in shape. This is called vaginal tenting and ballooning. This shape change happens as the uterus and cervix are drawn higher into the pelvis, which creates more space and moves the cervix farther away from any semen that is ejaculated into the vagina.
This allows time for the semen to mix with female genital fluids, stimulating the sperm to undergo the physical changes necessary for fertilizing an egg 9. The vagina is an incredible organ which changes in response to hormones, life stages, and physical responses. So show your vagina some love, and feel free to tell anyone you want just how amazing your vagina really is.
Understanding your body can improve usage of non-hormonal birth control. Click here to learn more about Clue Birth Control.
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