The vulva is the external part of female genitalia. It includes everything you can see on the outside of the body: the outer and inner lips (labia), the clitoris, the opening to the vagina, and the urethral opening. Many people use “vagina” when they actually mean the vulva, but the vagina is a separate internal structure, a muscular canal about 7 to 9 centimeters long that connects the cervix to the outside of the body. The vulva is what surrounds and protects that opening.
Parts of the Vulva
The vulva is made up of several distinct structures, each with its own role.
The mons pubis is the rounded, fatty pad of tissue that sits over the pubic bone. It’s typically covered in pubic hair after puberty and acts as a cushion. It also contains glands that release pheromones.
The labia majora (outer lips) are the two larger folds of skin that form the outer borders of the vulva. They enclose and protect the more delicate structures inside, including the inner lips, the clitoris, and the vaginal and urethral openings.
The labia minora (inner lips) are smaller folds that sit inside the outer lips. They start at the clitoris, where they form the clitoral hood (a small fold of skin covering the tip of the clitoris), and extend downward along both sides of the vaginal opening.
The vulvar vestibule is the smooth area between the inner lips. It contains both the urethral opening (where urine exits the body) and the vaginal opening.
The Clitoris
The small, visible nub at the top of the vulva is only a fraction of the full clitoris. That external tip, called the glans, is the most sensitive part. But the rest of the structure extends inside the body, branching into two legs (called crura) that wrap around the vaginal canal and urethra. The shape is often compared to a wishbone.
The clitoris is the primary center of sexual pleasure. Most of it is made of erectile tissue, meaning it fills with blood and swells when stimulated. That internal swelling puts pressure on the vaginal walls, which triggers lubrication and heightens sensation. The clitoris has no role in reproduction or urination. Its sole function is pleasure.
What “Normal” Looks Like
Vulvas vary enormously in appearance, and that variation is completely normal. The size, shape, color, and symmetry of the labia differ from person to person, influenced by genetics, age, weight, hormonal status, and ethnicity. There is no medical standard for what labia should look like.
Research measuring labia minora width across study populations found averages ranging from about 1.2 to 1.8 centimeters, but with a wide spread in both directions. Asymmetry between the left and right sides is common. Women who have had vaginal deliveries tend to have slightly longer labia majora and labia minora compared to those who haven’t, but labia minora width doesn’t change significantly with age. Body weight has only a very weak statistical relationship with vulvar dimensions.
How the Vulva Changes Over a Lifetime
Hormones reshape the vulva at several stages of life. During puberty, rising hormone levels cause the vulva to develop its adult characteristics: the labia become fuller, pubic hair grows on the mons pubis, and the skin thickens. These changes happen gradually over several years.
Pregnancy brings increased blood flow and swelling to the vulvar tissues, and the area adapts further during childbirth. After menopause, when estrogen levels drop significantly, the tissue begins to thin. The skin can become paler, drier, and less elastic. The labia minora may shrink, and the vaginal opening can narrow. These changes are sometimes called genitourinary syndrome of menopause, and symptoms can include dryness, burning, itching, and discomfort during sex.
Common Vulvar Conditions
Because the vulva is made of skin, it’s susceptible to many of the same irritations and conditions that affect skin elsewhere on the body, plus some that are specific to the area.
Lichen sclerosus causes white, thin patches on the vulvar skin, often in a figure-eight pattern that extends around the perineum. The primary symptom is intense itching, and over time, it can cause the labia minora to shrink or the clitoral hood to scar over the clitoris.
Lichen simplex chronicus is essentially a chronic itch-scratch cycle. The skin becomes thick and leathery from repeated scratching, with pigmentation changes and visible scratch marks. The itching is often severe enough to disrupt sleep.
Lichen planus causes pain, burning, and bright red patches in the vestibule, sometimes with a distinctive net-like pattern on the surface. It can also affect the vagina.
Vulvodynia is chronic vulvar pain without a clear underlying cause. The pain can be localized to one spot or spread across the entire vulva, and it can be constant or triggered by touch. Even light pressure from a cotton swab can cause significant pain in affected areas.
Contact dermatitis is another common issue, often triggered by soaps, fragrances, laundry detergents, or other products that irritate the sensitive vulvar skin.
Cleaning and Daily Care
The vulva benefits from simple, gentle care. International guidelines recommend cleaning the vulva once a day with water and a small amount of soap substitute (not regular soap). Overcleaning can strip natural oils and worsen irritation, potentially causing contact dermatitis. Showering is preferable to bathing, and you should use only your hand to clean the area, not sponges or washcloths.
A key distinction: the vulva (outside) can and should be gently cleaned, but the vagina (inside) is self-cleaning. It maintains its own acidic environment, with a pH typically between 3.8 and 4.5, which helps keep harmful bacteria in check. Douching or inserting soap disrupts that balance. Keeping products, fragrances, and harsh cleansers away from the vulvar area helps prevent the most common sources of irritation.