V is for Vulva

Hey there Caddyshackers!

The shortest day of the year has passed us, we are halfway through winter (not that we are counting or anything!) and Caddyshack have been busy supporting the Illawarra Shoalhaven Sexual Health Service with the Flu Vax clinics, ensuring that those most vulnerable in our community are protected from the winter nasties.

We have some exciting stuff coming up, but more on that soon.

Anatomy 101

First up we need to discuss a serious anatomical oversight!

Now, I confess, I failed anatomy at uni! I was seriously deluded when it came to knowing over 1500 body parts.

Muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, penis and vagina!

Not surprisingly, I got the genitalia pinned anatomy correct in the exam– seems I was always destined for a career in sexual health!

What is surprising though, is the number of people who incorrectly name or label genitalia. I think we have all heard Arny Schwarzenegger’s catch cry from Kindergarten Cop.

“Boys have penises, girls have vaginas!”

Whilst this is true of the 80’s mindset, we recognise the many gender variations in society and acknowledge that genitalia does not equal gender.

Vulva or Vagina?

This blog focuses on the V’s : Vulva and Vagina (the P’s get their turn next month, so stay tuned!)

In most references, be it magazines, books, even journal articles, references of genitalia are referred to as penis or vagina.

The Vagina

Is the muscular tube that connects the vaginal opening to the cervix. It is the internal part of the genitalia.

The Vulva

Is the external genitalia, including the labia, the clitoris and the vaginal and urethral openings.

These diagrams are not to scale, but may help to understand the difference between the vagina and the vulva. Click on the images to find the artists.

Simply by referring to this whole structure as a vagina does a serious disservice to the vulva and its functions.

Whilst the vagina is often associated with sex, menstruation and childbirth, the vulva is more associated with pleasure, taboo and difference.

Many people with vulva’s have a sense of “difference”. Society does not talk about vulvas in the same way it talks about penises and vulvas are not represented “equally” or even “naturally” in many social references, particularly in porn.

what about the labia?

The concept that the labia, a component of the vulva, are all equal in size, shape and colour is a misconception.

There has been many an empowerment project done around the photographing, painting or plaster casting of one’s vulva and labia to show the difference and embrace the diversity.

One of our favourites is Labia Library!

Labiaplasty (the altering of the labia) is becoming one of the most common types of cosmetic surgery. This is the direct result of media and society portraying a sense of “wrong” if the labia are not equal in size, length, shape or colour.

So, what can we collectively do?

Caddyshackers, it is time to think more holistically about the genitalia!

Next time you go to use the word vagina, stop and think - do you actually mean vagina or do you mean vulva?

Let’s talk about vulvas, let’s acknowledge their difference and embrace the protection and pleasure they give.

What we are loving right now

This month we are loving the work of Consent Labs.

Quite frankly, we are all recovering from the very off milkshake we were exposed to a few months ago (those of you who know, know! Those of you who don’t, Google!)

We are excited to partner with Consent Labs, on a common sense approach to consent.

On July 26th we will be hosting a webinar focusing on consent and talking about how collectively we can “be part of the movement to change the culture around sexual consent”.

To join us, register here.

Until next time

Peace, Love & Protection

x