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Video

How To Check Your Vulva

Around 1000 cases of vulval cancer are diagnosed every year in the UK, mainly in women who have been through the menopause. However, there are also a range of other vulval conditions that affect all women – highlighting how important it is to self-check your vulva. Although it may seem daunting if you haven’t self-checked before, Dr Dawn Harper’s guide will show you exactly how to conduct the check – so grab that mirror!

If you’d prefer to carry out this check away from your computer, then download our specially produced version for your mobile phone from the Channel 4 Mobile site.

Just text VULVA to 84444

Texts and data are charged at your standard network rate.
Terms and Conditions at channel4.com/mobile

For further advice on vulval conditions, visit the Vulval Health Awareness Campaign

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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.

are you ment to shave your viginas hair? because this lady hasn't so now im not sure.





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It's totally up to you whether you decide to get rid of the hair or not. SOme people like to and some don't; it's just what you find comfortable. There aren't any medical advantages to getting rid of it, so it doesn't matter if you do or not.

I'm 18 and I've had 1 sexy partner that I've never used protection. But recently I've noticed a werid discharge a yellow greenish colour. Did a check up n the result were negative. But I've noticed lil spot on the inside of my virgina (where clitours is) Does any1 know what is happening wth my body.





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i'm 14 and my vagina is really weird, just below the pubic hair its like a swollen lump. its small but you can see it clearly and its like a browny colour, im really worried and to scared/embarresed to tell my mum! im worried this will affect my period because i havent started, and my breasts are quite small only a 30A but my friends say its because i'm small, but im mostly worried about my vagina? im too scared to have sex when im older as well, can someone help?





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I have the exact same thing and don't know what it could be. Did you find out what urs was? I've seen quite a few blogs for it but no real answers. I know it's not an STD/I cos I got tested before my new partner and so did he. I'm so confudled and hope it's nothing serious

I'm 17 and have only one sexual partner, he has been the only partner for the last 5months. However, when we had sex he said my vagina feels different, and bigger? I don't know why this is and i can't give him the explanation he's looking for ( me cheating on him ) because it hasn't happened! I really would like some explanation to why this is, I'm also getting a milky like discharge. Please give me some closure on this,





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I have had an itch from my front passage to back passge for the last 2 years, i have been attending doctors, gynacology and dermotology, I cant take it any more as it wont go away and i have tried everything can any1 help?





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can a gynecologist tell how i broke my hymen? like if i say because of sports will she belive that or because of tampon?





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Always be honest with your doctor, as this is the only way they can best help you. If you are worried that people (family/friends) may find out that you have had sexual intercourse, then know that your doctor cannot divulge this information to another person(particularly if you are +16)apart from another doctor and only for specific medial reasons relating to diagnois or treatment. if you are really worried ask about confidentiallity 1st prior to mentioning any specifics about your condition.

I'm almost 16 years old, I havnt had actually penatrative but I am sexually active. I've noticed for a long time on the inner part of my lips tha I have to u hard White lumps, I've sqeezed one really hard once and I got a tiny thin line of White stiff come out it didn't smell or anything like that and the texture was like soap, I'm worried it's not normall can anybody help me or tell me anything it's been on my mind for ages?





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I'm 14 and only recently lost my virginity, but we were both drunk and i dont know if we used a condom. I got a pregnancy test and it was negative so i'm not worried about that..but in the last couple of days i have developed a very small sort of ball under the skin of my outer vagina lips, right at the top to the left of my clit. It's really painful and i'm worried it's some sort of symptom of an sti from the unprotected sex..please help as it's horrible to have and i dont want to be sexually active because i'm worried boys will notice it?





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You should go and see a GP about it. Ask for a lady GP. She will see these sort of things all the time. She wont be shocked or disgraced at you. Go and she'll put your mind at rest. Its better to get it seen now than later.

sometimes when i pee it burns, but then others days it doesn't ... weird right ? anything i should be worried about or no ?





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hello, i'm 17 and ive noticed for a couple of weeks i've had a lump on my right vulva. at the first week it was swollen but it got smaller and now it's still here. i'm scared that my be cancer or cyst. if anyone knows please help me. i'm so worried it mihgt be something terrible,





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I think it's a bartholin cyst or abcess.it's not cancerous,it's just a build up of bacteria into a lump.I had one and what you need to do is either go to your gp for them to make a cut in the lump so therefore letting out pus and blood or you can do it yourself at home.I accidentally caught mine and it bled then went soft and flat and disappeared! Hope this helps!





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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