Ladies you may have heard about how important it is to regularly examine your breasts for lumps, bumps, or changes, but did you know you need to check your vagina and vulva for this too…
When you mention the phrase ‘examine your vagina’, many people think it means to examine the outside part (genitals) of the vagina.
To avoid confusion lets get it right:
(1) The vagina is the internal (birth canal) part inside you – Therefore an examination of this area is called a vaginal examination. Only the opening of the vagina (known as the introitus) can be seen from the outside of the vagina.
(2) The vulva is the outside (external) part of the vaginal area – Therefore an examination of this area is called a vulva examination.
Just like any other body parts, the appearance, shape, color, and size of your vaginal parts can differ from person to person.
By checking your vulva (vaginal) area regularly you will soon get to know what is normal for you. If you are unsure if the look or your vaginal area is normal when your first start checking, asking your doctor to confirm ‘your normal’ is worth doing.
How to Check Your Vulva
WARNING:The video below shows graphic medical footage.
You will need a hand-held mirror, a small light, a clean towel to put underneath you, and a pillow to use as a prop or to lean on.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
(1) Try to check your vulva regularly (preferably once a month).
Many women don’t check their vaginal area at all, or only take a quick glance at it when they are sore down there, or suspect they have an infection.
Sometimes a change in how your vulval area looks can happen before any soreness becomes severe. It is also worth noting that some conditions/infections can become life-threatening if left undiagnosed, or untreated.
One such condition is Lichen Sclerosus. Anyone at any age can get Lichen Sclerosus, but postmenopausal women are said to be at higher risk.
This condition creates patchy, white skin that appears thinner than normal, and it usually affects the genital and anal areas. It can also cause itchiness and can be misdiagnosed as thrush.
Lichen Slerosus can also affect the breast and torso areas of the body.
You can learn more about Lichen Sclerosus and see a full list of its symptoms here.
If you would like to support or bring awareness about Lichen Sclerosus – You can order badges and leaflets from LSVC UK Awareness.
(2) DON’T self-examine your vulva if you have recently:
- Had a baby
- Had a miscarriage
- Or any other vaginal procedure
(As you are more open to an infection at these times).
DON’T self-examine your vulva when:
- You have your period (menstrual cycle). Wait until you are in-between your periods.
- DON’T use any vaginal creams, or douches for at least 24 hours before doing your vulval examination.
The Self-Examination
You are Checking for…
Lumps, bumps, ulcers, warts, changes in skin color, or other changes.
(1) Wash your hands thoroughly, or put a pair of sterile gloves on.
(2) Remove your clothing from the waist down.
(3) With the towel underneath you, sit on the floor propping your back against a firm surface (such as a wall), or on your bed with the pillows supporting your back.
(4) Relax your pelvic muscles, pull your feet up towards your buttocks, and gently spread your knees apart.
Now holding your hand mirror in one hand near your vulva, use your other hand too:
See Image below for a diagram of the vaginal area
(5) Check the pubic (mons pubis) area for – You may need to gently press down on this area to check for lumps and bumps, as well as spread the pubic hair apart to get a clear view.
(6) Now move down to the clitoris area – You may need to pull (gently lift) the hood of the clitoris up slightly, to get a good view of this area.
(7) Now move down and check the Labia Majora (The outer lips of the vulva) & Labia Manora ( The inner lips of the vulva).
Spread the folds of skin that are on the left and right of the labia majora apart, to get a good view of the labia majora and labia manora.
(8) Now check the bigger folds of skin between your Labia Majora, and your groin (the inner part of your thigh).
(9) Now check your perineo area (the area between your vaginal opening and the anus). You may need to press down gently in this area to feel for lumps or bumps.
(10) Now check your anal (anus) area – Gently spread your buttocks apart to get a clear view.
You are Checking for…
Lumps,
Bumps,
Ulcers,
Warts,
Changes in skin color,
or anything else you may think is different.
How to Check Your Vagina
When it comes to checking your vagina (internally), this is one I feel you are best to get a healthcare professional to do.
While a search on the internet will show you where to buy a vaginal speculum from, in my opinion performing an internal vaginal check using a speculum on yourself is likely to cause you more harm than good.
You certainly don’t want to cause your self any unnecessary injury. This also applies if you are thinking of getting your partner to do it for you.
However, checking your vagina internally with a clean finger, for any lumps or bumps is a safer option.
NOTE: If you notice any Lumps, bumps, ulcers, warts, changes in skin color, or other changes, have unusual bleeding (bleeding after sex, after menopause, or in between periods), unusual discharge, or a burning feeling in your vagina or vulva please see your healthcare professional.
Self-checks of your vulva and vagina areas DO NOT replace having to go to the doctor for checks but are good to do, so you can seek early medical advice should you notice something is not right in your vulva (vaginal) area.
Early detection – Could save your life.
Article brought to you by Ms Tight
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“(DISCLAIMER: I am not a health care professional, the information in this article is based on my own personal experience of living with vaginismus, vaginal atrophy (including menopause issues), and what I have learned along the way. Some articles on this website will include other womanly issues that I feel women need to know about. If you have any concerns about your health, it is best for you to seek advice from a health care professional – Full disclaimer)“.