I’m a girl and sometimes I worry about the way I look “down there.” How do I know if I’m normal?

Lots of women wonder about this, especially since vulvas and vaginas are "hidden parts" of the human body. Think about it. Since women do not walk around showing their vulvas to each other, there is no way to compare your vulva or vagina to other women. But even if you could, you would find that vulvas and vaginas are all very different and there is no such thing as “normal.” Like your smile, your eyes, your hands or any other part of your body, your genitals are unique to you.

Vulva

The vulva is the outer part of a girl’s or woman’s genitals. It’s the part that people mistakenly call the “vagina.” Actually, the vagina is inside the female body. The vulva includes several areas: the clitoris, labia, vaginal opening, urethra and anal opening.

The vulva may be a different color than the rest of the body, especially when a girl is sexually aroused (turned on). That’s because blood is rushing to the genitals. The colors range from purple to brown to pink to red. All of these are normal.

Clitoris

The clitoris is the only part of the human body designed primarily for sexual pleasure. This is the spot many girls rub when they masturbate, and it can also feel good to touch the clitoris during sexual activity with another person. The size and sensitivity of the clitoris varies a lot from person to person. For some girls, the clitoris is barely visible and stays tucked into the hood right above the clitoris. For other girls, the clitoris and its hood are larger and are always visible.

Labia

There are two sets of labia or "lips" - the outer labia and the inner labia. There are many variations in how the labia can look. Sometimes, the labia lie flat and close to the vulva. Sometimes they are longer and the inner or outer labia may hang a little. Sometimes their color matches the skin on a woman's thighs. Sometimes their color is very different than the skin on her thighs and can be darker or lighter or more pink, red, black or brown. All of the above is completely normal, so please don’t worry.

Vagina

The entrance to the vagina can feel slightly bumpy for some girls, and smoother for others. The first few inches inside the vagina can feel ridged like the top of a person's mouth but softer. The vagina is a strong muscle, so after it stretches to accommodate a finger, penis or baby, it goes back to its original size. The myth that girls get “looser” when they have sex is untrue.

Urethra

The opening to the urethra is very small, and can be hard to find by touch or sight. It is right above the opening to the vagina.

Anus

The anus is often a different color than the rest of the body. It is usually a darker color. It can range from brown to pink, and has a puckered texture.

Hymen

The hymen is a thin piece of skin that surrounds the vaginal opening. Hymens can come in different shapes, and can be thicker or thinner than others. With puberty and increased estrogen levels, the hymen becomes more “elastic” and stretches easily.

Some women break or tear their hymen when they are playing sports, riding a bicycle, inserting a tampon, masturbating or during sexual activity with a partner such as fingering or vaginal sex with a penis or dildo. It is typical to shed a little blood when the hymen tears. If the hymen is very thick, a woman may have a difficult time inserting a tampon, penis, fingers or dildo into her vagina. She can talk to her health care provider if these activities are painful.

How do you know if you’re healthy?

Making an appointment with good health care provider is a great way to determine what’s healthy for you. If your regular health care provider is not experienced in providing adolescent gyn exams and counseling, you should find someone who is, such as an adolescent health specialist, an ob-gyn, a women’s health nurse practitioner, etc. (Click here if you need to find a health care provider.) This first visit may not include getting undressed for a Pap smear or physical exam, but rather, will involve a conversation with a caring health professional about your sexual and reproductive health. If your vulva or vagina itches, burns when you pee, has an unusual discharge, smell, bumps or is bleeding outside of your period cycle, however, you should ask to have a physical examination.

You can also look at body diagrams of a woman’s vulva and vagina online to learn where they are located, and what they typically look like.

Resources

• Find a clinic in your area.

• Read stories from teen girls and guys about how they feel about their body.

• Take a guided tour of your vulva on Scarleteen.com.

Your Comments

RE: ??idk what to call this??

Posted by: DanR on Oct 6th, 2008 2:17pm

No, there is nothing wrong. It is perfectly normal to have
hair "down there." It's called pubic hair. The hair usually
grows just above and around the vulva and penis. Pubic hair
provides warmth and padding. For women, it also traps dirt
and germs that can get inside the vagina and cause an
infection. If you do decide to shave, be careful! Soak in a
bath, use a new, clean razor and lots of soap or shaving
cream. Shave in the direction of the hair growth then put on
some lotion.

??idk what to call this??

Posted by: gnomechick1 on Oct 5th, 2008 6:23am

I am only 15 and its like really bushy "down there" is it
normal to have hair "down there" thats a inch long? also
when i do shave "down there" which i do pretty ofter i get
these really red itchy bumps is there somthing wrong there?

shaving

Posted by: starryeyez on Jun 16th, 2008 8:13pm

i thought i had to much hair down there so i shaved it and
when it grew back it iched so bad so anything else ppl?

pubes

Posted by: hockeypuckk19 on May 6th, 2008 9:57am

just shave it. guys like that better anyway.

RE: ?

Posted by: DanR on Apr 18th, 2008 9:14am

I can't really say that there is any "normal" amount. Body
hair and pubic hair really varies from person to person.
Some women will have more hair then others (and even in
different places like the anus or their breasts). The same
is true for men. It is all very common and natural. The
important thing is to learn to accept and love your body as
it is so that you can feel comfortable (no matter what
situation you are in).

Posted by: lozzie23 on Apr 15th, 2008 1:12am

I think I have 2 much pubic hair...its everywhere! Its not
only on the labia, but my anus as well. I'm really consious
about it, especially when I go swimming etc. How much is
normal?

RE: grossed out.

Posted by: DanR on Jan 10th, 2008 10:23am

First, it is great that you have seen a gynecologist
already. Sounds like you are off to a great start with
taking care of your sexual health. Many women do have a
natural scent, but infections and STDs can sometimes make
that stronger or different. If your gynecologist said that
everything is OK, then that is not an issue for you right
now. If you're healthy and take regular showers or baths,
then your normal scent will probably be a turn-on to your
partner.

grossed out.

Posted by: sparkelworks on Jan 4th, 2008 1:02pm

I have been to a gynocologist and she says that everything
"down there" is okay.. but I'm still concerned about the
odor. I noticed the odor about 2 years ago and I have had it
ever since. I'm afraid it will be a total turnoff when I'm
ready to have sex. I clean myself and everything.. what am I
doing wrong?!

RE: how it looks

Posted by: DanR on Dec 21st, 2007 12:17pm

No worries! You are definitely not alone. There are many
girls out there who feel the same way and worry about what
their bodies look like. Believe it or not, many guys have
similar concerns about their bodies as well. Everybody's
bodies are different and each beautiful in their own ways.
It is important to wait to have sex until you are ready and
feel comfortable, but try not to feel so self conscious
about your body!

how it looks

Posted by: brittanyxbabeh07 on Dec 20th, 2007 4:58pm

one of the big reasons i'm scared to have sex is b/c i think
my "down there areas" look different. are you sure not all
vaginas are the same?

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