Video
Anthony Quinlan: Mott
Boy 1: Naughty, i’ve heard it called –
Boy 2: Really?
Boy 1: The lady’s naughty.
Anthony Quinlan: Poonanie
Hollie Jay-Bowes: I think my friend’s called hers Rachel.
Kent Riley: Pink velvet sausage wallet
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Dr Dawn: If you don’t use the word vagina, you almost certainly don’t talk about your vulva.
The vulva is all the bits you can see on the outside of a woman’s genitalia: the area covered by pubic hair, the outer and inner lips surrounding the vaginal opening called the labia majora and minora, the clitoris and the opening of the urethra which is where we wee through;
And just as no two penises are the same, no two vulvas are the same.
Some are wrinkly and some are smooth. Some pink, some brown. Some girls have large labia, others small.
And the only way you’ll come to know what’s normal for you is if you regularly look and feel.
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Girl 1: I think what worries a girl most about it is like you don’t normally talk about stuff like that and it’s embarrassing to ask someone like their parents or their friends
Girl 2: I think if people did talk more about it they would not worry half as much because they would realise everyone’s different and everything’s never the same.
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On this website there’s a video showing you how to check your vulva.
Hundreds of thousands of people have watched it and women, from their teens up to their fifties and older, have left comments and questions.
With vaginas a big concern is size. Girls who experience pain during sex; or have difficulty inserting a tampon, commonly worry that their vagina is too small.
But it won’t be. When we get nervous we tense up. And this will make the vagina tighten.
The more relaxed you are the more comfortable inserting a tampon or having sex will be.
The vagina is the passage that connects the woman’s internal reproductive organs to the outside world.
When a man and a woman have sex – it’s where the penis enters. And when a woman has a baby the vagina expands so the baby can be born.
Another common worry is that discharge means your vagina’s dirty. It’s actually the opposite.
Discharge is your vagina’s way of keeping itself clean, free from infection and lubricated.
If your vagina is dry, you could try using lubricant or vaginal pessary available from chemists to make the vagina more comfortable during sex or masturbation.
And yes I did say the ‘M’ word.
Masturbation is not just for boys !
To keep your vagina and vulva healthy…
Wear cotton underwear, it will keep you cool and dry ñ bacteria thrives in damp, warm environments!
Go knicker-free at night.
Avoid wearing tight fitting clothes, swimsuits or gym kit for prolonged periods
Don’t use perfumed soaps, gels, talcs or bubble baths as these can irritate the vagina.
If you get an infection take the medication as directed and complete the treatment even if you think the infection’s gone.
Avoid sex until an infection has cleared.
After going to the loo always wipe from front to back.
And ALWAYS practise safe sex.
If you do notice any changes, unusual lumps, bumps, spots or sores.
Or if your discharge differs in consistency, colour or smell from your norm – make an appointment to see your doctor.
It could be something as simple as thrush or bacterial vaginosis but it needs checking out especially if you have had unprotected sex.
On this site you’ll find a self-checker for STI’s with information about symptoms for all kinds of infections.
Don’t be embarrassed – your doctor will have seen thousands of Vulvas and vaginas. It really is all in a day’s work for us
Am I Normal: Vagina
Dr Dawn Harper discusses what is normal when it comes to vaginas, looking at everything from discharge and childbirth, to the normal variations in vulval appearance. The video also includes discussions with teenagers from around the country and the cast of Hollyoaks.
If you’d prefer to watch this video on your mobile, then download our specially produced version for your mobile phone from the Channel 4 Mobile site.
Just text Normal to 84444
Texts and data are charged at your standard network rate.
Terms and Conditions at channel4.com/mobile
With thanks to:
Hollyoaks
University of Birmingham Hockey Club
Llanelli Youth Theatre
Tetbury Hospital
Comments and Questions
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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
I have extra skin inside the flaps but its a dark color and hangs a little is it normal ?and if not what do I do very self contionus espically since my bf sees it ....:( please help:(
I am such a freak! I am now 18 and when I was 10 I fell out of a tree! I landed on a branch with my legs open! I went to the hospital and the doctor said it would be ok! but now my vagina has excess skin on one of my vagina lips! It is such a confidence taker!
i can feel my g-spot right by the entrance of my vagina is this a vaginal prolapse or is it normal? iv looked up vaginal prolapse but it didnt mention what iv just said, can any1 help?
my vagina is really itchy and sore been like this for past few days i am a virgin what could it mean it doin my headin cant even goin out without needin to go in the toilets to have an itch it really bad missing loads of college work i am really worried ?
I have a ingrown hair on my vagina how do I get rid of it ?
Hey Samantha,I had the same problem less than a year ago. Mine turned into a sist and i couldnt wear tight jeans etc. I went to the doctor, as embarassing as it was and got tablets to stop the swelling. Felt alot better within days.
I get these, I use a pin or needle and lift it out, sometimes it bleeds but it always heals. Just make sure its clean.
I don't know how much pubic hair to shave
I'm really embarrased about my body because everybody has a flat vagina and I basicly have fat on my vagina, I have to wear shorts to the beach and if I wear leggings you can see a bump .. What is wrong with it ? Is it normal ?
iFeel Like iHave A Uqly Vaqina.! 01 Of The 'Lips' Is A Bit Larqer Then The Other And Its Sliqtly Brown-ish On The End. Is That Normal.?
That is completely normal :) your fine.. go look around online at some other pictures and believe me you will be happy with what you have :)
I'm 17 and a virgin. I have like no labia on one side and only a very small one on the other .. i am terrified that this is not normal... ?
Don't worry! If you aren't experiencing any discomfort, it's fine!
thank you all for replying to my question it helped alot but now it seems to be getting worse and both of the sides are red dnt know hw to put it but it looks like my skin has came off and there is a patch of pink/redness there... am really confuzed why that has appeared all of a sudden and dont know what to do ... is there some sort of cream or something... plz!! reply back!! thanks