Let’s face it, our average high-school sex ed class barely touched on the vulva, clitoris, or vagina. Also, to be honest, many of us have been ashamed of talking about our experiences with our vaginas.

As we have said before, there is a general stigma attached to having conversations about the feminine intimate body, but in Vaginesse®, we want to break with this taboo by bringing awareness and education on the intimate issues that concern us all.

So, it makes sense why many of us will be surprised by the facts on this list. We’re here to smash the stigma against talking about our vaginas, sex, the clitoris, and more. Let’s dive into 5 vulva facts you probably didn’t know.

The Vulva is not the Vagina

Did you know that most women still don’t know there is a difference between the vulva and the vagina? The terms sometimes get used interchangeably but they don’t refer to the same parts at all.

The vulva refers to the external parts of your lady parts. The ones you can see with the eye, and it includes several parts that will be covered next in this article.

The vagina is the muscular tube that connects your cervix to the opening. See? Very different. Our blog on Vulva or Vagina dives into the anatomical breakdown, check it out!

The vulva is a complex and multifaceted structure. It includes several components, such as the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vaginal opening, urethral opening, and the perineum.

Let’s actually take this moment, now that we’re clear on vagina vs vulva, to share that our intimate wash and other products are for external use only.

Meaning, even if they are made with the best ingredients and utmost care, it is important that you treat your vulva to some divine self-care but leave your vagina be!

If you want to improve vaginal health as a whole, check out these 5 delicious foods for a healthy vagina.

The Clitoris is an Iceberg

Okay, we’ve all seen the memes on the average man’s inability to find the clitoris to pleasure a woman. They’re funny. We get it, but did you know the clitoris is just the tip of the iceberg?

Literally. The clitoris spreads internally and can be as long as 5 inches, but only the very tip is visible to the eye. It contains over 8,000 nerve endings which is almost double compared to a penis.

So, our capacity for sensual pleasure is also almost double. Woahhh!

The primary function of the clitoris is to provide sexual pleasure. It is a highly erogenous and sensitive organ with a dense network of nerve endings.

Stimulation of the clitoris can lead to sexual arousal, heightened sensitivity, and ultimately, orgasm.

The clitoris is often referred to as the "female equivalent" of the male penis. Stimulation of the clitoris can lead to intense sexual pleasure and, for many women, culminates in orgasm.

Orgasms can be a source of physical and emotional release, relaxation, and satisfaction.

Sexual pleasure doesn’t just mean penetration

Did you know only 1 in 5 women experience orgasm from vaginal penetration alone? This is a far cry from what we’re taught and shown in the media. The reality is: the vulva is a massive source of pleasure.

Limiting sexual pleasure to vaginal penetration alone is really a bummer. You could be missing out on all the potential sensations outside of the vagina!

As we said before, the clitoris is an iceberg with over 8,000 nerve endings. Why skip out on that expansive source of sexual pleasure? Clitoral orgasms are way more common than those from vaginal penetration.

Sexual pleasure without penetration is not only possible but can be a deeply satisfying and intimate part of sexual experiences. It's important to recognize that sexual pleasure is diverse and can be achieved through a variety of activities and forms of stimulation.

Sexual activity that involves clitoral stimulation can have physical health benefits, such as improved cardiovascular health and reduced pain perception. Orgasms can trigger the release of endorphins, which can act as natural pain relievers.

Not all people with vulvas are Women Vulvas are not limited to women and assuming so can be very harmful to the identities of many people. Genitalia is not indicative of gender.

There are intersex, non-binary, femme, and other identities with vulvas that are not women!

Vulvas & Vaginas change color

Vulvas and vaginas are pretty incredible! They change color and shape when aroused. During arousal, vaginas will change shape by getting deeper to allow more space for penetration.

The cervix and the uterus actually get pushed back by the elongation of the vagina. They will also change color!

The natural rush of blood to the vagina results in a darkening of the vagina during sex.

Don’t worry! It will return to its normal color afterwards also, the vulva can undergo changes throughout a woman's life due to factors like puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and hormonal fluctuations.

These changes can affect the size, color, and texture of vulvar structures.

Paying attention to vulvar health is essential. Any unusual changes in the vulvar skin, such as redness, itching, or lumps, should be promptly evaluated by a healthcare provider.

These changes can be indicative of infections or other conditions.

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