Vulva or vagina? What are the differences ?

There are things we rarely talk about that have an impact on our daily intimacy. It's important to talk about them to shift the needle, improve women's health care, and simply better understand your anatomy. Do you know the difference between your vulva and your vagina? Don't blush, in France, 6 out of 10 women* wouldn't know how to identify their vulva , and it's highly likely that we've confused it with the vagina for a large part of our lives.

What is a vulva?

The vulva is the part that we can call “external”, it includes the clitoris , the outer lips, the inner lips (their size is specific to each person, there is no norm, no standard) and the vestibule : this inter-labial area where the urethra and the entrance to the vagina are located.

Image taken from the intimate well-being guide made in collaboration with Mia.co

What is the clitoris?

The clitoris was fully recognized in 1998 by researcher Helen O'Connell thanks to an MRI of it. It was not until 2016 that gynecologist Odile Buisson and surgeon Pierre Foldes (known in particular for his remarkable work reconstructing clitorises after excision) revealed this organ entirely dedicated to pleasure in broad daylight and in 3D.

The clitoris is part of the vulva, but you only see the "glans," the external part of it. The entire organ is much larger and has two "pillars" that form its root, as you can see in the illustration below.

How big is the clitoris?

The external part “the glans of the clitoris” that you see represents only 5% of the entire organ, the rest is invisible and represents 95% of the organ . On average, the glans of the clitoris measures 1 cm when flaccid. The entire clitoris measures between 8 and 12 cm, this is an average, we are all unique and it varies from one person to another. It becomes erect just like the penis during arousal, it fills with blood and can double in volume.

Why is the clitoris an erogenous organ?

The clitoris has more than 8,000 nerve endings , compared to 5,000 for the penis. Plenty to explore your body! Remember that this wonderful organ is not static and moves according to the movements of our body, it is connected to the perineum which can contract during penetration or during external stimulation of it.

Image taken from the intimate well-being guide created in collaboration with Mia.co. To learn more, we recommend the excellent reading of Julia Pietri's Little Guide to Female Masturbation. Also available in our exclusive Self-love box set.

What is the vagina?

The vagina , on the other hand, is the internal part which is a musculoskeletal organ and is an extensible area. That is to say, its walls move apart to allow passage of a tampon, a menstrual cup, a finger, a penis or a baby.
When you suffer from vaginismus, the vagina automatically contracts and we can no longer pass anything.

The vagina is part of the so-called "female" reproductive system. It allows sperm to travel up the cervix to fertilize the egg. The egg will become an egg when fertilized by a sperm, then grow into a baby nine months later.

Image taken from the intimate well-being guide made in collaboration with Mia.co

Why is it important to differentiate between the vagina, the vulva and the clitoris?

Besides the fact that using the right words allows you to better know yourself and take ownership of your body, 4 out of 10 women* feel self-conscious about the appearance of their vulva , particularly because of a distorted and standardized representation of them in porn. This has an impact on our relationship with our bodies, the way we perceive ourselves on a daily basis, how we take care of ourselves, not to mention of course our intimate relationships. Each vulva is unique, their shapes, aspects and colors vary from one person to another . They also evolve over time and this is completely normal. We still lack too many diverse representations, yet despite the dictates, our vulva is not dirty, ugly, strange, and is on the contrary natural and fully part of us. And you? Have you ever looked in a mirror to see what yours looks like? This is called vulva mapping , it can help you better understand how your body works, your pleasure, but also to put words on certain parts if you feel discomfort, discomfort and pain to better discuss them with a health professional (general practitioner, gynecologist or midwife). To look at yourself, we advise you to take a hand mirror. The better you know the appearance of your vulva, the more you will be able to detect potential problems or identify abnormal changes. If this happens, consult a health professional as soon as possible.

How to take care of your vulva?

To take care of your vulva on a daily basis, just clear water and love are enough. If you want to use a washing solution , choose one with a neutral pH and without unnecessary additives . If you experience discomfort, irritation or dryness at certain times of your cycle, after lovemaking or sports, know that balms (like Baûbo ) and gels with natural and organic ingredients also exist to relieve you. We have created a Happy Vulva routine in which you will find a JHO washing solution, a small Baûbo vulva balm and a natural and water-based lubricant from My lubie to take care of yourself during intercourse and masturbation.
Using a lubricant prevents friction and increases pleasure, as the body is not necessarily self-sufficient regardless of arousal. There is no need to be embarrassed, and this can vary depending on the time of the cycle, stress, medication, etc.
NB: We remind you that using lubricating oil during intercourse and masturbation is safe if you are not using a condom or silicone intimate accessories. The oil makes them porous and deteriorates them. In the case of condoms, this can lead to an unwanted pregnancy, but also transmit diseases and infections between partners.

How to take care of your vagina?

We remind you that the vagina is self-cleaning and that you should never wash it, otherwise you risk disrupting your intimate flora and promoting infections. Moreover, if you are prone to yeast infections and cystitis , you can also try a course of probiotics to reduce the risk of vaginal infection. We are all different, and there are solutions for everyone. Find our selection of intimate care products with a clean composition on gapianne.com and never hesitate to ask a healthcare professional for advice. Taking care of yourself is an act of love, and we hope you celebrate yourself every day. You've got the power in you!