The Vulva: The body part I bet you don’t know about!

This September is Gynae Cancer Awareness Month, and we’re going to be talking about vulvas. 

What is a vulva?

“Vulva” and “Vagina” are often used interchangeably when describing female anatomy. Often when people are referring to their “vagina”, and a health issue they may be having, they actually mean their “vulva”.

Simply put, “the vulva” is the scientific name for the genitals on the outside, which includes “the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris and Bartholin’s glands”, according to Dr Amit Shah.

And the vagina? Well that’s the internal passage that connections the vulva to the internal organs like the uterus. 

Vulva vs Vagina? 

So why does the vulva-vagina confusion matter? 

Well, being able to identify and have the correct language to describe our own anatomy is really important. But the lack of understanding about vulvas leaves space for confusion when it comes to vulval health. 

Take vulval cancer. It affects 1,400 women in the UK alone every year. But new research from the Eve Appeal found just 41% of women had even heard of it. And only 4% of women were checking their vulvas regularly for any changes that could be cancer. 

What is vulval cancer?

Vulval cancer is rare, but still self-checks are important in spotting changes.

We’re often taught about the importance of checking our breasts for breast cancer. Whilst vulval cancer is rare, self-checks are still important in spotting changes.

The Eve Appeal found that only 4% of women regularly check for vulval changes. A stark comparison to the 37% of women regularly checking their breasts for signs of cancer.

This gap shows that  understanding of vulval cancer, the need for regular self-checks and how to do so, is falling way behind the same knowledge about breast cancer. 

How do I check my vulva?

Here are a list of the symptoms the Eve Appeal lists to be aware of when checking your vulva for cancer:

  • A lasting itch on the external genitalia

  • Pain or soreness on the external genitalia

  • Thickened, raised, red, white or dark patches on the skin of the external genitalia

  • An open sore or growth visible on the genital skin

  • A mole on the external genitalia that changes shape or colour

  • A lump or swelling on the external genitalia

Nikki Rosen