[Hai-en]

Can someone please explain female anatomy to me? I'm a teenage and very confused about my vulva anatomy. I don't know if it's normal and I researched on internet but I became more confused and distressed.
So I have this triangular shaped mons public that has hairs and it splits into two lips. Inside those lips I have one single dark shaded dangling skin that is a little thick and long, I used to move it during masturbation because it gives me pleasure. It's a little wide in downward trajectory with a roundish nub on the way and goes down towards my vagina. Below it there are two very small thin hanging skins that feels like two strings and I have urine from same area. After that there is vaginal opening.

Is this normal? Most of my confusion is regarding that thick long thing between my outer lips. I don't know what that is or does every women have it. I also don't know what part of my anatomy is clitoris, clitoral hood or labia minora. It says everyone has two labia minora but I don't know where are mine. I think i have no labia minora at all. Please help!!

[Alison H.]

It's normal to be confused about vulva anatomy at your age. One thing to remember is that genital anatomy, as far as how it looks, varies a LOT from person to person. Some women have large labia, others have very small and almost nonexistent labia.

I'll break down what you describe, with your observations in italics, and my answers in bold so they stand out:

So I have this triangular shaped mons public that has hairs and it splits into two lips: Those two lips are the labia majora (the larger outer labia)

Inside those lips I have one single dark shaded dangling skin that is a little thick and long, I used to move it during masturbation because it gives me pleasure. It's a little wide in downward trajectory with a roundish nub on the way and goes down towards my vagina: The nub is your clitoris, which is basically a huge pleasure zone (which is why it feels good when you move it during masturbation), and the skin over and around it is called the "clitoral hood"

Below it there are two very small thin hanging skins that feels like two strings: This is your labia minora, or the inner labia

and I have urine from same area: Yes, your urethra is there, sort of in "front" of the vaginal opening

After that there is vaginal opening: Yes, this is totally normal

Everything you describe is 100% normal.

Every vulva is unique, as far as how everything looks... no two are exactly alike when it comes to shape, size, color...

From what you describe, all of the correct parts are present and accounted for.

[Hai-en]

Thank you Alison for taking the time out to respond. I just wanted to know that the thing you mentioned as inner labia, one is wide vertically whereas the other is just thin like a string, whwhy

[Hai-en]

Thank you Alison for taking the time out to respond. I just wanted to know that the thing you mentioned as inner labia, one is wide vertically whereas the other is just thin like a string and not wide at all, why does this difference exist?

[Alison H.]

Thank you Alison for taking the time out to respond. I just wanted to know that the thing you mentioned as inner labia, one is wide vertically whereas the other is just thin like a string and not wide at all, why does this difference exist?

That kind of difference is surprisingly common; our bodies are not exactly symmetrical and a lot of times, one labium (singular) will be larger (or longer, or even a slightly different color) than the other. Sort of how a woman's breasts can be two different sizes, or any other body part that comes in two's will have differences between them (hands, feet, etc).

That's also normal.

[JonnyR]

Just chiming in here as a guy -- I've seen this a few times with the women I've been with -- where one side of the labia is different in size than the other.

While it might seem odd or displaced to you -- know that most men have absolutely NO problem with it -- hell, most men won't even notice and we're just happy to be with a naked woman who will have us, so don't sweat it!

You can even make it a fun game if a guy goes down on you, something like "Do you want to say hello to my mismatched lips?" if you do it in a fun/funny coy way, it can break the ice and the guy will chuckle, get turned on, and get down to business.

[open leaf]

Totally get the curiosity — female anatomy can be confusing if no one ever explained it properly. Basically, the outside is called the vulva, which includes the labia (the skin folds), clitoris (mainly for pleasure), and the openings for both pee (urethra) and the vagina. Inside, there's the vagina (a stretchy canal), the cervix (like a doorway), and the uterus (where a baby can grow). The ovaries release eggs, and the fallopian tubes carry those eggs to the uterus. It's a pretty amazing system once you break it down!