Because the first step to great self-care is self-awareness, get to know your V a little better with these fast facts!

Your vagina is a wonderful thing, but how well do you really know your feminine area? The V is a complex organ, and being familiar with the different parts of your vag will help you make sure that everything is working as it should. This will allow you to care for yourself in the best way possible, spotting abnormalities that may need to be checked by your OB/GYN.

Rather than simply reading through the list though, we recommend setting aside some time by yourself to really take a good look at your V. Studies have shown that many women believe inaccurate information about their reproductive organs, stemming from old social stigmas about vaginas being smelly, dirty, or strange-looking. Nothing could be further than the truth, as long as you keep your vagina healthy!

The first way to do that is to get comfortable with your intimate area. Self-awareness is self-care, so it’s important that every woman know what really is going on down there. Think about setting aside a little time to get familiar with your body when you’re by yourself at home. Since every woman has a unique body, taking a careful look for yourself with a hand mirror is the best way to see how everything is supposed to look and feel when healthy.

Ready? Here we go…

Vagina. Strictly speaking, what you see on the outside of your body is the vulva, and not the vagina. The actual vagina is your birth canal, a channel inside your body leading to the uterus. It is a muscle that can open and close, and that normally feels bumpy to the touch.

But we needn’t be overly technical when talking woman to woman. When we say vagina in ordinary conversation, we’re talking about all the parts that make up a woman’s intimate area, the first of which you’ll see is the...

Vulva. What is commonly called the "vagina" is actually the vulva. This includes all the parts you can see from the outside, such as your inner and outer lips. These are formally known as the...

Labia Majora. These outer lips are the first things you see in your intimate area, and are the places where pubic hair grows.

Labia Minora Lips. The inner lips provide an additional layer of protection for the internal parts of your feminine area. These also secrete lubrication to help keep you comfortable and irritant-free. Experts say that each woman’s labia minora is unique, so don’t feel bad if yours look different from what you see in pictures!

Clitoris. The clit is the little nub at the top of your external area when your lips are spread. This has thousands of nerve endings, making it extremely sensitive to touch. It’s protected by the clitoral hood, which is a flap of skin that covers the clitoris.

Urethra. This is just below the clitoris, and is the very small opening where urine passes through.

Vestibule. Just below the urethra is the introitus or vestibule. This is the opening to the vagina, which actually lies inside your body. This area can also look different for each woman in tone and color.

Internal Clitoris. This is a wishbone-shaped part that goes from your clitoris to under

your outer lips. Just like the outer clitoris, it is extremely sensitive when aroused.

Cervix. This is the elongated section of the uterus that connects to the vagina. This is the bit that dilates during childbirth, and is the part where doctors take samples for pap

smears.

Uterus. This is where fetuses stay for nine months before childbirth. It’s deep in the lower abdomen and can’t be normally reached on your own.

Fallopian Tubes and Ovaries. Your ovaries produce eggs that then go down the uterus for fertilization by sperm cells. This, as you probably know, results in pregnancy.

As you can see, what is commonly referred to as the vagina is actually a complex of different body parts that make up your feminine area. The most effective way to take in all this information is to look at your own vagina and identify each external part of it, so we hope you did just that as you read this article. That way, you can establish a baseline for what a healthy V looks like, and feel a bit more comfortable with your body.

Again, every woman is unique, and that goes for your genitalia as well. Don’t be ashamed if what you see looks different from pictures in books or the internet. And if you ever notice something unusual like redness, rashes, colored discharge, or a strong odor, then you’ll know it’s time to go see your doctor.

Being healthy is the most important thing, and that’s what having the proper knowledge of your body and a good daily feminine hygiene habit is really all about. Think about keeping your vagina clean with pH Care feminine wash, which will help maintains a healthy acidity level in your intimate area, and keep bacterial infections away.

Your vagina is uniquely your own, so get to know yours and give yourself the care that every woman deserves.