The Gearbox - what you've got!
The reproductive system of the woman is every bit like a gearbox and, after having a kid, I can assure you that you’ll be feeling every bit like you’ve been grinding the gears and riding the clutch for a decade or so.
I guess a good way to go about this little tour is outside-in. Do mind your step at the entry, as Patch Adams would put it, it can be a little slippery.
Ladies and, umm… ladies again I guess (I doubt there are any men on this blog), I give you…. The Vulva!!
The vulva comes in all kinds of shapes and sizes, much like its otherwise unrelated phonetic simile - the Volvo. Believe me, if you’ve seen one you HAVEN’T seen them all. And no, don’t read anything rainbow-like into that statement, sexual health is my profession.
The vulva is most commonly referred to as the ‘genitalia’ of women, which is a great way to lump everything together, but, apples and oranges…. very different fruit, people! ‘Genitalia’ is actually made up of various ‘things’ (how medically profound of me) – bits of this and bits of that, that make up the vulva and, well, make a woman what she is (or a man with the help of a gifted surgeon).
So, let’s take a closer look at these bits (I won't blush if you don't)…
The external ‘cape’ of the vulva is formed by the Labia Majora which is fancy Latin for ‘big lips’, and indeed they do look a bit like lips. Just inside the Labia Majora lay the Labia Minora or ‘little lips’. The Labia, as they are collectively called, are essentially just flaps of skin that serve to protect the internal genitalia from infection and trauma. There’s nothing exciting here, the big lips are covered with hair (unless you’re Brazilian or an imitation there of) and the little lips are just the gates to the vagina. Period.
Also in the vulva we have the urethral opening which is the hole (for lack of a better term) from which urine passes. This hole is small and located above the vaginal entrance, NOT to be confused with the clitoris (to come) - I could tell you horror stories involving medical students and catheter insertion 'misjudgements' (let's just say they flunk anatomy!).
Above the urethral opening, partially covered by its own ‘hood’ made of skin is the star of the vulva – the clitoris. The clitoris is a small knob-like organ that can vary from pea-size to something that looks like your little toe (does that shock, you?? It's true!). It is an extremely sensitive tissue and the main excitatory component of the woman’s genitalia. What does that mean? It’s the bit that makes sex feel good! The clitoris is the key to sexual pleasure for the majority of women, and that is in fact it’s only function. But I’m guessing that you’ve already discovered that if you’re on this blog!
And that the vulva in a nutshell!
Now, if you’ll kindly follow me this way -------> we’ll continue our tour inside.
I guess a good way to go about this little tour is outside-in. Do mind your step at the entry, as Patch Adams would put it, it can be a little slippery.
Ladies and, umm… ladies again I guess (I doubt there are any men on this blog), I give you…. The Vulva!!
The vulva comes in all kinds of shapes and sizes, much like its otherwise unrelated phonetic simile - the Volvo. Believe me, if you’ve seen one you HAVEN’T seen them all. And no, don’t read anything rainbow-like into that statement, sexual health is my profession.
The vulva is most commonly referred to as the ‘genitalia’ of women, which is a great way to lump everything together, but, apples and oranges…. very different fruit, people! ‘Genitalia’ is actually made up of various ‘things’ (how medically profound of me) – bits of this and bits of that, that make up the vulva and, well, make a woman what she is (or a man with the help of a gifted surgeon).
So, let’s take a closer look at these bits (I won't blush if you don't)…
The external ‘cape’ of the vulva is formed by the Labia Majora which is fancy Latin for ‘big lips’, and indeed they do look a bit like lips. Just inside the Labia Majora lay the Labia Minora or ‘little lips’. The Labia, as they are collectively called, are essentially just flaps of skin that serve to protect the internal genitalia from infection and trauma. There’s nothing exciting here, the big lips are covered with hair (unless you’re Brazilian or an imitation there of) and the little lips are just the gates to the vagina. Period.
Also in the vulva we have the urethral opening which is the hole (for lack of a better term) from which urine passes. This hole is small and located above the vaginal entrance, NOT to be confused with the clitoris (to come) - I could tell you horror stories involving medical students and catheter insertion 'misjudgements' (let's just say they flunk anatomy!).
Above the urethral opening, partially covered by its own ‘hood’ made of skin is the star of the vulva – the clitoris. The clitoris is a small knob-like organ that can vary from pea-size to something that looks like your little toe (does that shock, you?? It's true!). It is an extremely sensitive tissue and the main excitatory component of the woman’s genitalia. What does that mean? It’s the bit that makes sex feel good! The clitoris is the key to sexual pleasure for the majority of women, and that is in fact it’s only function. But I’m guessing that you’ve already discovered that if you’re on this blog!
And that the vulva in a nutshell!
Now, if you’ll kindly follow me this way -------> we’ll continue our tour inside.
