Sexual Health

5. Emotions and Body

5.4. Women`s reproductive and sexual system

Women`s reproductive and sexual system

Picture: painting by E. Munch ‘Madonna’

One description of women’s external sexual organs is the ‘vulva’ (volva or vulva). Another description is the ‘genitalia feminina externa’ (Latin), which means the outer female sex organs. The vulva consists of (12):

The mons pubis

The labia majora (outer lips) and labia minora (inner lips)

Clitoris and clitoral hood

The urinary meatus

The vaginal opening

The hymen

The Bartholin’s glands (lubricates the vagina) and Skene’s glands

The perineum (the area between anus and vulva)

The labia majora and labia minora vary widely in shape and size. The labia majora contain and protect the other structures of the vulva. During puberty, there is often a feeling of arousal or there is vaginal discharge. Often this will come a few months ahead of the first menstruation.

Photo: S. Kühle- Hansen ‘Clitoris wooden pieces

Women’s internal sexual organs are the vagina, the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. The pelvic floor muscles support the structures of the vulva and is important to sexual pleasure (12). 

Breasts, the urinary tract and the anus are not generally considered sexual organs even though many people think of them as such. 

ACTIVITIES: 

• Discuss with your child/sibling/client about women’s internal and external sexual organs using this webpage ‘The woman`s sexual organs’ (12). 
• Watch the video and talk about it afterwards: Le clitoris - Animated Documentary Clitoris.