Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLocationAnatomyFunctionConditionsSymptomsHealth TipsTestsAnatomical Variations
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Location
Anatomy
Function
Conditions
Symptoms
Health Tips
Tests
Anatomical Variations
The vulva includes the external female genital structures. Vulvar anatomy contains several structures, such as the labia, vaginal and urethral openings, and clitoris.Sometimes, the external genitalia are also called thepudendum.
The vulva has several functions and can look different from person to person. Additionally, it can be subject to a range of health issues, including vulvar cancer, bacterial infections, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
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Where Is Your Vulva Located?
People often refer to the vagina for most things related to female genitals. However, the external genital structures are all part of the vulva, including theopening to the vaginal canal. The vulva begins at themons pubis, the fleshy covering over your pubic bone where your pubic hair grows.
It extends downwards to include structures such as your clitoris, urethral opening (where pee comes out of), vaginal opening, andperineum. The perineum is the skin before the anus. The vulva ends at the anus, and your anus is not considered part of the vulva.
Parts and Function of the Vulva
Anatomically speaking, the vulva is a blanket term for many structures of the external female genitals.While each part plays a specific role, the overall function of the vulva is to allow your body to pee, give birth, menstruate, and experiencesexual pleasure.
Structures included in the vulva include:
Mons Pubis
The mons pubis ismade up of fatty tissueand is the V-shape that lies directly to the front of the pubic bones.It’s usually prominent, visible from the exterior, and where the pubic hair grows.
The mons pubis helps cushion the area during sexual intercourse and houses thesebaceousglands, which secrete hormones associated with sexual attraction.
Labia Majora
The labia majora, or outer lips, come from the Latin terminology for “larger lips." They consist of two prominent folds of skin that cover other parts of the reproductive system, including:
The front-facing (anterior) part of the labia majora forms a fold just beneath the mons pubis called thelabial commissure.
Labia Minora
The “smaller lips” of the vulva are also known as the labia minora. This pair of skin folds arise at the clitoris. The front portions form a clitoral hood before moving downward. In doing so, they also create the borders of the vulva vestibule.
The back portions of the labia minora link together, separating them from the labia majora.
As these folds link together, they form thefrenulumof the labia minora. This part of the body becomes engorged during sexual arousal.
Clitoris
Vaginal Opening
The vagina is a muscular, elastic tube that runs from the vaginal opening to the cervix. The vagina allows for the passage of menstrual blood and childbirth through the cervix.
Urethral Opening
The urethra is a tube that connects to the bladder to allow urine to exit the bladder. The urethral opening is where urine comes out.
Vestibular Bulbs
These two bulbs are formed of erectile tissue and arise near the back side of the body of the clitoris. They run along the middle edge of the crus (legs) of the clitoris towards the urethra and the vagina.
Vulva Vestibule
Bartholin’s Glands
Sometimes referred to as the greater vestibular glands, these are two pea-sized structures that are found at the back and slightly to the side of the opening of the vagina.
They are involved in fluid secretion during sexual activity.
Skene’s Glands
Also known as the lesser vestibular glands, these sit on either side of the urethra and urethral opening. The Skene’s glands are thought to help lubricate the urethra and vagina.
Perineum
The perineum is the skin that runs between the vaginal opening and the anus. It stops at the anus, which is also where the vulva ends.
Partial Female Reproductive System
Function of the Vulva
The vulva is primarily associated with sexual function but has additional roles:
Conditions Affecting the Vulva
Among the many diseases or conditions that can impact the vulva, many are STIs, including chlamydia, syphilis, HPV, and others.
Infections
Skin Conditions
Some skin conditions can affect the vulva, with pain and itching the most common symptoms.These conditions include:
Other Vulvar Conditions
In addition, a range of other conditions can affect this part of the body, including the following:
What Are Symptoms of Vulvar Conditions?
The symptoms of conditions that affect the vulva vary according to the cause, but there are a few that are common to more than one condition:
Keep in mind that some people won’t have symptoms of a vulvar disorder immediately.
Tips for Keeping the Vulva Healthy
People with vaginas can take steps to prevent conditions that affect the vulva, including decisions about safer sex in order to prevent STIs. Careful hygiene also can help to prevent infection.
Contact with irritants and allergens can contribute to vulvar dermatitis. Consider the following tips:
Some cases of vulvovaginitis occur in kids. Children must learn how to wipe from front to back when using the toilet and should change out of swimsuits and wet clothes as soon as possible. More rarely, a systemic illness (like diabetes) or sexual abuse may be the cause.
Screening and examination of parts of the vulva are an essential aspect of female health. Prompt detection of health problems can significantly improve outcomes, especially in cases of sexually transmitted infections and cancer.
Providers will typically begin with a physical exam to visualize the vulvar structures. Additional tests may include the following procedures.
Vulvar Biopsy
To test for the presence ofvulvar carcinoma, specialists will perform a physical examination of the pelvis and do a vulvar biopsy.
This is a test in which a small portion of tissue is removed and examined under a microscope for the presence of cancer or pre-cancerous cells. Healthcare providers may use a special device called a colposcope to magnify the area they are selecting to examine.
If results come up positive, other tests may be performed to assess for the spread of cancer.
Darkfield Microscopy
Though mostsyphilis casesare tested using blood samples, the definitive option is an assessment of a sample using a special darkfield microscope.
If an open sore is found on the vulva, healthcare providers may collect a sample and use that for testing.
HPV Testing
In cases of suspected HPV that arise as genital warts on the vulva, a healthcare provider may performHPV testingto look for the presence of the virus in cell samples from the area.
Herpes Testing
If the sores from genital herpes appear on the vulva, they can be swabbed and tested.This condition can be hard to diagnose between outbreaks.
Urinalysis
Urine samples are used to assess a wide range of health conditions, includingdiabetes, liver health, and pregnancy.
People with female anatomy will need to spread the labia open and use a sterile wipe to clean the area, as well as a separate wipe for the urethral opening, before providing a urine sample. This is to ensure that an uncontaminated sample is assessed.
Female external genitalia—particularly the sizes and colors of the mon pubis, clitoris, labia majora and minora, as well as the vaginal opening—can vary a great deal from person to person.
The greatest differences are seen in the size, color, and structure of the labia majora and minora, with some people displaying more prominent folds. In other cases, the clitoris and clitoral hood are larger and more prominent.
These variations are associated with the amount of estrogen activityduring puberty.Larger, thicker features are associated with increased presence of this hormone during this time.
Congenital Variations
In addition, there are more rare cases of congenital variations of the vulva, involving the physiology of the uterus and vagina. There are four classes of these variations:
Summary
The vulva, and the external organs that make up the female reproductive system, play key functions in sexual and reproductive health and urinary function. A number of conditions can affect the vulva, including sexually transmitted infections and age-related structural changes (like menopause).
Allergies, and autoimmune conditions like psoriasis, also can affect the vulva. Most conditions can be treated, even when there is not yet a cure (for example, with HIV infection).
Be aware of itching, pain, and related symptoms of conditions that can affect the vulva. Talk to your healthcare provider about your vulvar health and any concerns you have.
21 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.Vulvovaginal health.Zdilla MJ.What is a vulva?Anat Sci Int. 2022 Sep;97(4):323-346. doi: 10.1007/s12565-022-00674-7.Andre FS, Jacobowski B, Andre RS.Lifting of the mons pubis after massive weight loss.Revista Brasileira de Cirurgia Plástica. 2023 Aug 25;28:627-32. doi:10.5935/2177-1235.2013RBCP0627Uloko M, Isabey EP, Peters BR.How many nerve fibers innervate the human glans clitoris: a histomorphometric evaluation of the dorsal nerve of the clitoris.J Sex Med. 2023;20(3):247-252.Bell D.Vulva: Radiology reference article. Radiopaedia.Munarriz R, Kim N, Goldstein I, Traish A.Biology of female sexual function.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.Centers for Disease Control.Vaginal candidiasis: Fungal diseases.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial vaginosis (BV).American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Practice Bulletins—Gynecology.Diagnosis and Management of Vulvar Skin Disorders: ACOG Practice Bulletin, Number 224.Obstet Gynecol. 2020 Jul;136(1):e1-e14. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003944.Prabhu S, Krishna S.Vulvar inflammatory disorders: A review.J Skin Sex Transm Dis.2022;4:188-95. doi: 10.25259/JSSTD_11_2021Omole F, Kelsey RC, Phillips K, Cunningham K.Bartholin Duct Cyst and Gland Abscess: Office Management.Am Fam Physician. 2019 Jun 15;99(12):760-766. PMID: 31194482.Krapf JM, Mitchell L, Holton MA, Goldstein AT.Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: Current Perspectives.Int J Womens Health. 2020 Jan 15;12:11-20. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S191200.Shields BE, Richardson C, Arkin L, Kornik R.Vulvar Crohn disease: Diagnostic challenges and approach to therapy.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2020;6(5):390-394.Estibeiro V, Juntunen A, Bond JC, Harlow BL.Menstrual Cycle Characteristics and Vulvodynia.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2022 Aug;31(8):1127-1136. doi:10.1089/jwh.2020.9011.University of Michigan Medicine.Syphilis tests.American Cancer Society.HPV and HPV testing.US Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health.Genital herpes.Seleem M, Osman OM, Kashmar SG, Lotfy R.Dimensions, Ratios, Volumes, and Weights of the Fatty Parts of the Vulva (Mons Pubis and Labia Majora).Aesthet Surg J. 2023 Aug 17;43(9):1002-1012. doi:10.1093/asj/sjad106.Sagili H, Rajan S.Cutaneous manifestations of estrogen excess and deficiency.Gynecological and Reproductive Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2021; 2(3):162-167 2021; 2(3):162-167Weerakkody Y.Congenital utero-vaginal anomalies. Radiopaedia.
21 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.Vulvovaginal health.Zdilla MJ.What is a vulva?Anat Sci Int. 2022 Sep;97(4):323-346. doi: 10.1007/s12565-022-00674-7.Andre FS, Jacobowski B, Andre RS.Lifting of the mons pubis after massive weight loss.Revista Brasileira de Cirurgia Plástica. 2023 Aug 25;28:627-32. doi:10.5935/2177-1235.2013RBCP0627Uloko M, Isabey EP, Peters BR.How many nerve fibers innervate the human glans clitoris: a histomorphometric evaluation of the dorsal nerve of the clitoris.J Sex Med. 2023;20(3):247-252.Bell D.Vulva: Radiology reference article. Radiopaedia.Munarriz R, Kim N, Goldstein I, Traish A.Biology of female sexual function.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.Centers for Disease Control.Vaginal candidiasis: Fungal diseases.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial vaginosis (BV).American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Practice Bulletins—Gynecology.Diagnosis and Management of Vulvar Skin Disorders: ACOG Practice Bulletin, Number 224.Obstet Gynecol. 2020 Jul;136(1):e1-e14. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003944.Prabhu S, Krishna S.Vulvar inflammatory disorders: A review.J Skin Sex Transm Dis.2022;4:188-95. doi: 10.25259/JSSTD_11_2021Omole F, Kelsey RC, Phillips K, Cunningham K.Bartholin Duct Cyst and Gland Abscess: Office Management.Am Fam Physician. 2019 Jun 15;99(12):760-766. PMID: 31194482.Krapf JM, Mitchell L, Holton MA, Goldstein AT.Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: Current Perspectives.Int J Womens Health. 2020 Jan 15;12:11-20. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S191200.Shields BE, Richardson C, Arkin L, Kornik R.Vulvar Crohn disease: Diagnostic challenges and approach to therapy.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2020;6(5):390-394.Estibeiro V, Juntunen A, Bond JC, Harlow BL.Menstrual Cycle Characteristics and Vulvodynia.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2022 Aug;31(8):1127-1136. doi:10.1089/jwh.2020.9011.University of Michigan Medicine.Syphilis tests.American Cancer Society.HPV and HPV testing.US Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health.Genital herpes.Seleem M, Osman OM, Kashmar SG, Lotfy R.Dimensions, Ratios, Volumes, and Weights of the Fatty Parts of the Vulva (Mons Pubis and Labia Majora).Aesthet Surg J. 2023 Aug 17;43(9):1002-1012. doi:10.1093/asj/sjad106.Sagili H, Rajan S.Cutaneous manifestations of estrogen excess and deficiency.Gynecological and Reproductive Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2021; 2(3):162-167 2021; 2(3):162-167Weerakkody Y.Congenital utero-vaginal anomalies. Radiopaedia.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.Vulvovaginal health.Zdilla MJ.What is a vulva?Anat Sci Int. 2022 Sep;97(4):323-346. doi: 10.1007/s12565-022-00674-7.Andre FS, Jacobowski B, Andre RS.Lifting of the mons pubis after massive weight loss.Revista Brasileira de Cirurgia Plástica. 2023 Aug 25;28:627-32. doi:10.5935/2177-1235.2013RBCP0627Uloko M, Isabey EP, Peters BR.How many nerve fibers innervate the human glans clitoris: a histomorphometric evaluation of the dorsal nerve of the clitoris.J Sex Med. 2023;20(3):247-252.Bell D.Vulva: Radiology reference article. Radiopaedia.Munarriz R, Kim N, Goldstein I, Traish A.Biology of female sexual function.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.Centers for Disease Control.Vaginal candidiasis: Fungal diseases.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial vaginosis (BV).American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Practice Bulletins—Gynecology.Diagnosis and Management of Vulvar Skin Disorders: ACOG Practice Bulletin, Number 224.Obstet Gynecol. 2020 Jul;136(1):e1-e14. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003944.Prabhu S, Krishna S.Vulvar inflammatory disorders: A review.J Skin Sex Transm Dis.2022;4:188-95. doi: 10.25259/JSSTD_11_2021Omole F, Kelsey RC, Phillips K, Cunningham K.Bartholin Duct Cyst and Gland Abscess: Office Management.Am Fam Physician. 2019 Jun 15;99(12):760-766. PMID: 31194482.Krapf JM, Mitchell L, Holton MA, Goldstein AT.Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: Current Perspectives.Int J Womens Health. 2020 Jan 15;12:11-20. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S191200.Shields BE, Richardson C, Arkin L, Kornik R.Vulvar Crohn disease: Diagnostic challenges and approach to therapy.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2020;6(5):390-394.Estibeiro V, Juntunen A, Bond JC, Harlow BL.Menstrual Cycle Characteristics and Vulvodynia.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2022 Aug;31(8):1127-1136. doi:10.1089/jwh.2020.9011.University of Michigan Medicine.Syphilis tests.American Cancer Society.HPV and HPV testing.US Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health.Genital herpes.Seleem M, Osman OM, Kashmar SG, Lotfy R.Dimensions, Ratios, Volumes, and Weights of the Fatty Parts of the Vulva (Mons Pubis and Labia Majora).Aesthet Surg J. 2023 Aug 17;43(9):1002-1012. doi:10.1093/asj/sjad106.Sagili H, Rajan S.Cutaneous manifestations of estrogen excess and deficiency.Gynecological and Reproductive Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2021; 2(3):162-167 2021; 2(3):162-167Weerakkody Y.Congenital utero-vaginal anomalies. Radiopaedia.
American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.Vulvovaginal health.
Zdilla MJ.What is a vulva?Anat Sci Int. 2022 Sep;97(4):323-346. doi: 10.1007/s12565-022-00674-7.
Andre FS, Jacobowski B, Andre RS.Lifting of the mons pubis after massive weight loss.Revista Brasileira de Cirurgia Plástica. 2023 Aug 25;28:627-32. doi:10.5935/2177-1235.2013RBCP0627
Uloko M, Isabey EP, Peters BR.How many nerve fibers innervate the human glans clitoris: a histomorphometric evaluation of the dorsal nerve of the clitoris.J Sex Med. 2023;20(3):247-252.
Bell D.Vulva: Radiology reference article. Radiopaedia.
Munarriz R, Kim N, Goldstein I, Traish A.Biology of female sexual function.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
Centers for Disease Control.Vaginal candidiasis: Fungal diseases.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial vaginosis (BV).
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Practice Bulletins—Gynecology.Diagnosis and Management of Vulvar Skin Disorders: ACOG Practice Bulletin, Number 224.Obstet Gynecol. 2020 Jul;136(1):e1-e14. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003944.
Prabhu S, Krishna S.Vulvar inflammatory disorders: A review.J Skin Sex Transm Dis.2022;4:188-95. doi: 10.25259/JSSTD_11_2021
Omole F, Kelsey RC, Phillips K, Cunningham K.Bartholin Duct Cyst and Gland Abscess: Office Management.Am Fam Physician. 2019 Jun 15;99(12):760-766. PMID: 31194482.
Krapf JM, Mitchell L, Holton MA, Goldstein AT.Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: Current Perspectives.Int J Womens Health. 2020 Jan 15;12:11-20. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S191200.
Shields BE, Richardson C, Arkin L, Kornik R.Vulvar Crohn disease: Diagnostic challenges and approach to therapy.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2020;6(5):390-394.
Estibeiro V, Juntunen A, Bond JC, Harlow BL.Menstrual Cycle Characteristics and Vulvodynia.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2022 Aug;31(8):1127-1136. doi:10.1089/jwh.2020.9011.
University of Michigan Medicine.Syphilis tests.
American Cancer Society.HPV and HPV testing.
US Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health.Genital herpes.
Seleem M, Osman OM, Kashmar SG, Lotfy R.Dimensions, Ratios, Volumes, and Weights of the Fatty Parts of the Vulva (Mons Pubis and Labia Majora).Aesthet Surg J. 2023 Aug 17;43(9):1002-1012. doi:10.1093/asj/sjad106.
Sagili H, Rajan S.Cutaneous manifestations of estrogen excess and deficiency.Gynecological and Reproductive Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2021; 2(3):162-167 2021; 2(3):162-167
Weerakkody Y.Congenital utero-vaginal anomalies. Radiopaedia.
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