Vaginal discharge
Vaginal discharge is a clear, white or off-white fluid that comes out of your vagina. It contains cells and bacteria that help clean and lubricate your vagina, and fight off bad germs.
It may occur daily or only once a month, depending on your menstrual cycle and other factors. It usually starts a few months before your period begins and generally fades after menopause.
You can learn more about the type of discharge that you have by asking your health care provider questions and going for a physical exam. He or she will take a sample of the discharge to test for infection.
The discharge will be color-coded to show the underlying cause. The color and consistency will tell the doctor if you have an infection or not.
Infections that can cause vaginal discharge include chlamydia and gonorrhea (both STIs). If you have these infections, your discharge will turn green or yellow and you may have pain or bleeding. These are treated with antibiotics from your healthcare provider.
Another common type of sexually transmitted infection (STI) is trichomoniasis. This causes cloudy, yellow or green discharge that smells like fish and is treated with antibiotics from your health care provider.
This can be a serious infection that spreads up into your pelvic cavity and can cause pelvic inflammatory disease. This infection should be treated by a gynecologist or your family doctor.
Changes in your discharge can be a sign that you have an infection, a hormonal problem or an allergic reaction to something you use in your vagina. These changes can also be a sign of bacterial vaginosis, a condition in which there is too much bacteria in the vagina.
Yeast vulvitis is another condition that can cause vaginal discharge. This is more common in girls who are still using diapers or who have a history of urinary tract infections.
These types of infections may be diagnosed by a physical examination and simple tests such as potassium hydroxide preparation or culture. Symptoms include itching, redness, irritation and swelling of the vulva and vaginal walls.
Vulva
Your vulva is a complex structure made up of labia majora (outer lips), labia minora (inner lips), clitoris, vulva vestibule, Bartholin’s glands, Skene’s glands, the urethra, and the vaginal opening. It is one of the most important parts of your body, and it’s crucial to understand what it’s like inside so you can take care of it.
Your vagina and vulva are affected by a variety of conditions that can cause irritation, pain and discomfort. These can include psoriasis, thrush and bacterial vaginosis.
Some of these conditions are easily treated, while others require surgical intervention. If you have pain or discomfort in your vulva, talk to your doctor about your symptoms and get the right treatment for you.
The vulva is also important in sexual function and reproduction. It’s a key source of blood and nerve supply to the pelvic floor. The vulva also contains sebaceous glands that secrete pheromones, which are chemical signals that attract and stimulate men to become more sexually interested.
Most of these chemicals are absorbed into the vaginal canal, where they can be transmitted to your uterus and to your baby during pregnancy. During sexual arousal, the vulva becomes full of fluid, which makes it appear edematous and increases the flow of blood through the venous system.
Another important part of the vulva is the mons pubis. This mound of tissue is a pad of fat that sits directly anterior to the pelvic bones and provides cushioning during sexual intercourse. It also helps to hold the vaginal tissues in place.
While a lot of women don’t think much about their vulvas, it is important to remember that they are special and unique. Every woman’s vulva is different in shape, size and colour.
You can get a good idea of what your vulva looks like by using a mirror and getting to know it. You may be surprised to find out that it’s actually quite a long and complex structure, with many internal bulbs.
The clitoris extends outwards from the tip of the vulva, and two arms are attached to the outside of each cleft. There are also several tiny holes beneath these arms, which allow you to pee.
Labia
Labia are two sets of skin folds around the vagina that form the outer and inner lips. There are dozens of natural variations in the size, shape, and color of the labia.
The skin folds cover the clitoris (a ring of erectile tissue), the prepuce, and the vulva vestibule (a small pouch that encloses the cletoris). They aren’t always symmetrical.
During sexual arousal, the clitoris becomes enlarged. The labia minora also increase in thickness as the blood vessels engorge.
Some girls’ labia may enlarge during puberty, when they begin to produce the female hormone oestrogen. They can also develop labial adhesions, which cause the genitals to stick together.
These adhesions will eventually go away on their own. But if they don’t, you can take steps to manage them.
First, you can try to reduce chafing and irritation by wearing underwear that is designed to be comfortable and breathable. You should avoid synthetic fabrics or clothing that has a tight fit around the vulva.
You can also talk to your doctor about using condoms and dental dams during sex, and wearing protective pads and cushions while doing physical activities. Wearing these types of products may help prevent a woman from developing a cyst, genital herpes, or an abscess on her labia.
In some cases, you can have a surgery called a labioplasty to reduce the size of your labia. This is usually done for cosmetic reasons, and it may involve removing excess skin and reshaping your labia to be more symmetrical.
Another option is to use tampons or menstrual pads that are made from natural materials. These are often gentler on the vulva and don’t contain any chemicals or perfumes.
Alternatively, you can wear underwear that is soft and stretchy to minimize friction between the vulva and clothing. This can help prevent rubbing and chafing, which can lead to rashes or redness.
If you’re experiencing itching, redness, swelling or pain in your labia, see a gynaecologist as soon as possible. This will help determine the cause and provide treatment options.
Lips
Lips are the soft, movable and visible organs located in the mouth of many animals including humans. They serve as an opening for food intake, in the articulation of speech and act as a tactile sensory organ. They can also be an erogenous zone in kissing and other acts of intimacy.
The lips are made up of muscle, mucosa and skin but without any cartilage or bones. This makes them pliable to offer the world a one-of-a-kind smile.
In adults, the outer lip skin is thicker and contains hair, sweat glands and sebaceous glands. A specialised reddish skin, called the vermillion, covers the outer edges of the lips and is abundantly provided with sensitive nerve endings. The paler skin rim that separates the vermillion from the surrounding skin is known as the vermilion border.
Both the upper and lower lips are connected to the gums by the frenulum labii superioris and inferioris, respectively. The vermilion border, or white roll, is a 2 to 3 mm pale convexity formed by the bulging of the orbicularis oris muscle laying beneath it.
During eating the lip serves to grasp food, suction liquids and clear the oral vestibule. The lip has a large number of nerve endings and is very sensitive to touch, temperature and cold.
This makes the lips an important aide for babies and toddlers to explore and interact with objects. They have more than a million different nerve endings and are 100 times more sensitive than the fingertips.
Lips are also very sensitive to the taste of food and can react to certain smells such as spicy and sour. This sensitivity is important for forming speech and other sensory functions.
The lip can be plump or thin, heart-shaped or round and is distinguished by its shape from the rest of the face. It is a unique part of the body and researchers are working to develop geometric and computer models to accurately describe its various forms.
The lips are an important erogenous zone and a woman’s full lips can be associated with higher levels of oestrogen, which may be a sign of her health, fertility and youth. This may partly explain the role of lipstick to enhance the female lip to appear more youthful and attractive.