What kind of vagina do you have?

As a life and sex empowerment coach, I sometimes give my clients a mirror and torch and tell them to look at and get to know their genitals intimately during a session.

The female genitals consist of the vulva. These are the external parts of the genitals and include the inner and outer lips. The vulva is often mistakenly called the vagina.

The labia majora, or outer lips, are your first point of eye contact. Their job is to protect the sensitive inside bits. If unshaven or waxed, pubic hair grows on the outer lips.

The labia minora, or inner lips, provide a second layer of protection with lubricant-secreting oil glands for comfort.

The clitoral hood protects the clitoris – with its 8 000 nerve endings – which is the nub at the top of the external area and grows with arousal.

The vagina is the birth canal that leads to the uterus.

It is important to become well acquainted with your genitals to understand how they work and how you can use this to maximise your pleasure, during either solo or partner sex.

No two vaginas are the same but they may have similar characteristics, which have made it possible to group and classify them. Currently, the UN uses a classification put together by the world-renowned sexologist and author Betty Dodson.

Some types include, but are not limited to:

Ms Tulip

This vagina looks like a flower bud before it blooms. The inner lips are slightly exposed through the entire length of the outer lips.

Ms curtains

The inner lips are extended past the outer lips. They may stick out a little or a lot. This is said to be the most common type of vagina. In some cultures, the lips are intentionally elongated by pulling. The reason for this is the alleged added pleasure for a male partner as the lips wrap around his penis.

Ms horseshoe

The opening of the vagina spreads wider at the top and in this way exposes the inner lips, but it closes off towards the bottom. The general shape is that of a horseshoe, as the name suggests.

Ms Barbie

The inner lips are contained by the outer lips and both rest against the pelvic bone. Many women, especially in the UK, have had surgery to create this vagina look.

Whatever your vagina type, learn to embrace it as it’s the only one you’ll get for a lifetime. Learn it, take care of it by keeping it clean, and appreciate it as it can be a source of great pleasure.

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