Your vagina is normal

Mainstream porn has changed the way we view vaginas. They’re waxed, bleached, edited, tucked, surgically altered versions of reality. And it leaves many vagina owners asking: Is my vagina normal?

 

While there is nothing wrong with wearing your pubic hair in a particular way or getting whatever procedures done that make you feel more empowered, many of the choices we make about our vaginas come from a place of fear or wanting to be loved & accepted.

 

And that’s because we have no barometer for what a normal, healthy vagina looks like. We’ve been served this one particular type vagina (see: small, white, tucked inner labia) and that’s the only version we have to compare ourselves to. So anything that deviates outside of those very narrow parameters feels ugly, not normal and not loveable.

 

I don’t know about you, but we are absolutely DONE with that bullshit. So let’s take a look at some real vagina types and dive into why your vagina absolutely IS NORMAL.

Yes! You Have A Normal Vagina

 

First things first, your vagina is normal.

 

When it comes to vaginal health, we’re mostly left to fend for ourselves, in terms of quality information. Sure, we may get bits and pieces here and there through our uncomprehensive sex education, but for the most part, we depend on our parents or vagina weilding family members to educate us. And if they don’t have the right information, it’s basically a harmful game of intergenerational telephone.

 

With taboo topics like periods, discharge, infections, uterine pain, etc., we’ve often been left to wonder if what is happening to our bodies is normal. And this lack of education, understanding and normalization has even spread to our knowledge of what we consider aesthetically normal.

 

When things are hidden in the dark, we fear them when they finally see the light.

 

Vaginas are so far from being normalized. Vaginas have been packaged and sold back to us through the lens of the patriarchy. Even our vaginas are not safe from commodification. 

 

When you believe your vagina isn’t normal, it’s easy to sell you deodorizers, depilatory products and even labiaplasty.

 

But we’re here to tell you that not only is your vagina normal, exactly the way that it is, it’s a goddamn piece of artwork. 

 

 

All Vaginas Are Different

 

Vaginas are like snowflakes. They’re all unique. They can have longer inner labia than outer labia, the skin colour can be darker on the ends of the lips, they can have exposed clitorises or hooded clitorises and the general shape can be unique as well. There are so many different variations.

 

 

The Betty Dodson Impact

 

Betty Dodson was a sex educator and author of the highly reccommended book Sex for One, who passed away in October of this year. She was at the forefront of many sex positive movements that changed the way we look at sex and, in particular, the vagina.

 

In the 70’s, she spent a lot of time sketching the vaginas of her friends (I know! What a hobby, right?) and she gave the different variations architectural names to describe their shape. Here’s a few of those sketches, to show exactly how different vaginas can be. This is just a sampling, so if you don’t see yours, that’s ok too! Check out the rest of the sketches to see more.

Your vagina is uniquely yours.

 

It has no preferred state of being that makes it more or less worthy.

 

We just haven’t been shown enough vaginas in our lifetime to understand how diverse they truly are.

 

Appreciate Your Vagina

 

Your vagina deserves respect. From you and anyone you choose to share it with.

 

However you choose to express yourself vaginally is up to you, but don’t let anyone else tell you how your genitals should look. If they have an unsolicited opinion about your vagina, they don’t deserve to look upon it.

 

You also need to respect your own vagina. Which means taking care of it properly (no perfumed soaps, toilet paper or deodorizing products), looking at it every once in a while (pull out those hand mirrors) and giving it the pleasure it desires. 

Your vagina is normal. Your vagina is unique. And your vagina has the power to be a tool of great pleasure, joy and empowerment.