Why Endo Online’s EVOLVE Course includes vulval self-exploration

It was always very important to us to include a vulval self-exploration in our Evolve Course. There are sooo many reasons for this but let’s start at the beginning.

I grew up in a home with my parents and my sister. That means, ¾ of our home were women. However, interestingly, we never used to refer to the outer parts of our genitals as “the vulva”. In my home we referred to our genitals as our “vagina” and on reflection, we even referred to our menstrual period as a different random word to remove the “yucky” connotation of the word “period”. Many of us can reflect on growing up and hearing people use other names, something “cuter” or “prettier” or a word that allowed us to disconnect somewhat to the real thing. Nowadays with more awareness and more concern around consent, people are being encouraged to use the proper anatomical names for genitalia, and the Vulva is getting the attention it deserves.

So we are moving in the right direction referring to our genitals as the Vulva. However, what is the Vulva? Do you know what it looks like? Would you be able to identify the different parts? Would you know if it has changed? These are all really important questions that need to be answered. 

The vulva is the proper name for the external parts of the genitalia in those assigned female at birth. This includes pubic hair, the clitoris, the labia minora and majora, the opening of the urethra, the entrance to the vagina known as the introitus, and the surrounding tissue. If you are referring to the Vagina, you are referring to the “internal” muscular tube or tunnel which is a passage to the cervix and uterus. Put simply, when you look at what is between your legs, you are looking at your vulva. And much like how we all have different looking faces, we all have different looking vulvas. Because we don’t look at each other’s vulvas very much, if at all, there can be a misunderstanding of the diversity of how vulvas look. But the truth of the matter is, your vulva looks exactly how it should look! 

It is not only important to be empowered with knowledge of your anatomy, but it is important to know your vulva so that if changes occur, such as you develop a mole, a sore, a tear or a change in your discharge, you can advocate for yourself with your health professional to identify what might be going on.

In our Evolve course, we take you through a step by step self-check of your vulva to introduce you to the anatomy of your vulva, as well as to bring a sense of acceptance and safety around your own exploration of your vulva. Developing feelings of safety around the pelvis, vulva and pelvic floor is pertinent to managing Endo symptoms as we know that pain is a protective mechanism, which the body will use when it feels unsafe. Therefore, promoting safety in this region is vital.

It may take some time to build up the confidence to explore your own vulva, and that’s ok. It’s your vulva, and you should do what feels right for you. 

If you want to explore this topic in more detail here are my top recommendations:

• Listen to the Mamamia No Filter Podcast “The Vulva Photographer”
• Read Viva la vulva: why we need to talk about women’s genitalia
• To see more diversity in genitalia, you might like to take a look through the Labia Library and the Vulva Portraits