Why You Should Get To Know Your Vulva
As we head into 2025, I want to encourage you to take a moment to really get to know your own body—specifically, your vulva.
Understanding what’s normal for you is an essential part of your long-term health and body confidence. Here are a few reasons why this is so important:
Early detection: If you notice any changes, you can alert your doctor sooner.
Body confidence: Getting comfortable with your body image starts with knowing your own anatomy.
Self-awareness: You’ll be able to describe any changes more accurately if something ever feels off.
So, how do you go about doing this? Here’s a simple guide to help:
Step 1: Wash your hands and grab a handheld mirror (you can find one in my “long term health” links in bio).
Step 2: Get comfy—find a position that feels good for you.
Step 3: Take a look!
What to Look For:
General appearance: Start by just familiarizing yourself with how things look.
Labia and beyond: Check at rest, then gently open the labia to see the rest of the tissue.
Color and texture changes: Look for discolored patches, redness, or irritation.
Sensation: Notice if there are areas of numbness, burning, or hypersensitivity.
Pressure points: Gently apply pressure to the surrounding skin and feel for tenderness or texture changes.
Clitoris: Get familiar with the hood and check its movement and sensation —it should glide smoothly and feel comfortable to the touch, not raw or irritated.
Moisture: Take note of how moisture changes during your cycle so you can recognize any shifts in discharge or loss of lubrication.
Ideally, you should start doing this occasionally before any surgery.
If you’ve been diagnosed with fibroids, it’s especially important, as they can contribute to conditions like prolapse or sexual pain. The better you know your body, the more you can advocate for your health!
Remember, pelvic floor weakness can change the resting muscle tone in this area, potentially altering its appearance. This isn’t permanent, but you can’t address it if you don’t know what your normal is.
Have questions? I’m here to help!