The vulva encompasses all female external genital structures: the hair, the folds of skin, and the urinary and vaginal openings. Vulva is the term we use most frequently in this textbook to refer to the external genitals of the female. The vulva is sometimes mistakenly referred to as the vagina, an internal structure with only the opening a part of the vulva. For reference, see I Figure 3.1. A new term for the vulva and vagina leapt into common usage in 2006. The ABC series Grey’s Anatomy introduced the term vajayjay, and Oprah Winfrey began using it on her show, which legitimized its use for some 46 million U. S. viewers each week. Perspectives vary on the meaning behind the term: Does vajayjay fill a cultural void for a word for female genitals that is neither clinical nor used in a demeaning manner toward women? Or, is it a euphemism that encourages a woman’s childlike relationship to her vulva and vagina and perpetuates anxiety, shame, and negativity toward female genitals (Rosenbloom, 2007)?
The appearance of the vulva, which varies from person to person, has been likened to that of certain flowers, seashells, and other forms found in nature. Transformed vulvalike shapes have been used in artwork, including The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago, on permanent exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum. This work consists of 39 ceramic plates symbolizing significant women in history.
Most women are not aware of the true diversity of vulva shapes and colors. In recent years several books have been published to help women appreciate the range of normal vulva diversity. For example, Wrenna Robertson’s book, I’ll Show You Mine, has personal stories about the 60 women and the life-size, close-up, color photos of their vulvas. Petals, by Nick Karras, contains 48 black-and-white photographs of vulvas, "the primal source of sexual magic" (Karras, 2003, p. 5). The accompanying photograph of cast molds of women’s vulvas is an example of artwork designed with the same intention of appreciating individual variations in vulva shapes.
The Mons Veneris
Translated from Latin, mons veneris means "the mound of Venus." Venus was the Roman goddess of love and beauty. The mons veneris, or mons, is the area covering the pubic bone. It consists of pads of fatty tissue between the pubic bone and the skin. Touch and pressure on the mons can be sexually pleasurable because of the presence of
I Figure 3.1 The structures and variations of the vulva: (a) external structures and (b-d) different colors and shapes. External female genitals have many common variations.
numerous nerve endings. At puberty the mons becomes covered with hair that varies in color, texture, and thickness from woman to woman.
During sexual arousal the scent that accompanies vaginal secretions is held by the pubic hair and can add to sensory erotic pleasure. Pubic hair also prevents uncomfortable friction and provides cushioning during intercourse. Many women and their partners enjoy the lush sensuality of their pubic hair.
Prior to the 1990s, removing pubic hair was primarily the practice of porn stars and exotic dancers, but it has become a grooming trend some mainstream women practice (Fetters, 2011). Women remove their pubic hair by trimming, shaving, waxing, or using a depilatory; some remove it permanently by laser. Some keep only a "landing strip"—a triangle or small strip on the mons—while a few remove all pubic hair and go "bald" (Merkin, 2006).
Vulva shapes in art and nature:
(a) one of the plates in Judy Chicago’s Dinner Party, a permanent exhibit symbolizing women in history at the Brooklyn Museum;
(b) the vulvalike beauty of a flower.
Female Sexual Anatomy and Physiology
YOUR SEXUAL
HEALTH
The Labia Majora
The labia majora (LAY-bee-uh muh-JOR-uh), or outer lips, extend downward from the mons on each side of the vulva. They begin next to the thigh and extend inward, surrounding the labia minora and the urethral and vaginal openings. Next to the thigh the outer lips are covered with pubic hair; their inner parts, next to the labia minora, are
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hairless. The skin of the labia majora is usually darker than the skin of the thighs. The nerve endings and underlying fatty tissue are similar to those in the mons.