Vulva - the outside parts of the female reproductive system. It includes the mons, clitoris, labia, hymen and the opening of the urethra (Picture 3).
Genitals, like other body parts, are healthy, good, and essential to our physical well-being. We described them as “private” because they are generally off-limits to others; we keep them covered.
Some moms and dads will encourage their kids to use euphemisms, such as weenie, pee-pee, peeny, winky, wiener, willy, wee-wee, dinky, down there, gi-gi, buh-gina, doodle, peeper, jay-jay or simply, the business.
The tip of the clitoris (AKA glans) is located at the top of your vulva, where your inner lips meet. Everyone's is a different size. It can be about as small a pea or as big as a thumb. The tip of the clitoris is covered by the clitoral hood.
The vulva is the outer part of the female reproductive system. It's also part of the external genitalia. The vulva includes the mons pubis. This is the rounded area in front of the pubic bones at the lower part of the belly (abdomen).
Children's natural curiosity about their bodies
They may touch, poke, pull or rub their body parts, including their genitals. It is important to keep in mind that these behaviors are not sexually motivated. They typically are driven by curiosity and attempts at self-soothing.
According to the Sexuality Resource Center for Parents, a site developed by Glenn S. Quint, a former outreach educator for Planned Parenthood, toddlers start showing interest in their genitals, and may begin to touch themselves for pleasure, between birth and 18 months. A Psych Central article by Dr.
Genital itching in young girls is most often caused by soap (especially bubble bath). The vulva area is sensitive to the drying effect of soap. Only clean the genitals with warm water. After puberty, soap can be tolerated.
Newborn girls will often still have vernix (the white sticky coating on the skin) still in the vulva between the labia. Do not try to scrub this coating out; it will gradually dry up and come off when you wipe with diaper changes. Newborn girls may have a slight vaginal discharge, which may be tinged with blood.
Like other aspects of newborns, their skin is immature at birth. For some reason, a newborn's ears and genitals often appear darker than the rest of the body. This “two-toned” appearance usually resolves by the time a baby is six months of age.
Yes. Swollen genitals are common in newborns for a few reasons. Newborns are born with extra fluid in their bodies. That fluid tends to collect in specific areas, particularly the face (causing puffy eyes) and genitalia (causing swollen labia in girls or a swollen scrotum in boys).
It's normal for babies of either sex to touch their genitals when they're young. It can start as early as 4 to 6 months, as babies gain control of their limbs and hands and start exploring their bodies. They'll grab at anything they can reach, including their ears, feet, and private parts.
Swollen genitals and enlarged breast tissue are common for newborn boys and girls. This swelling and redness is caused by the rush of the hormone estrogen, which is passed from mother to baby before birth. These estrogen levels start to lower soon after baby is born.
Anal fissures. If your child cries every time she has a bowel movement and you notice streaks of blood on her stools, there's a good chance she has a small tear known as an anal fissure—especially if her stools are hard.
During arousal, the flow of blood increases, and the vulva may appear purplish. Some people note color changes when they have certain medical conditions. A yeast infection, for example, may cause the vulva to appear purple or red.
Avoid petroleum jelly (for example, Vaseline) as a lubricant. It increases the risk of vaginal irritation and infection. Use a vaginal moisturizer. Moisturizers such as Replens can be used on a regular basis.
Bacterial Bacteria within the GI tract can infect the bladder causing an infection that can result in urethral itchiness. Furthermore, many types of outside bacteria can enter the body easily via the urinary tract, including sexually transmitted bacteria such as gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Common causes of irritation include sweating, wearing tight clothing, eczema/dermatitis, personal hygiene issues, product allergies, infections and skin conditions such as lichen sclerosus (more on these conditions below).
Harmless bumps in the genital area include pimples, cysts, angiomas and mollusca. Cysts are yellowish round lumps under the skin, which feel like a small ball or pebble that can easily be moved around. Cysts may enlarge slightly, but in general they stay about the same and don't cause any problems.
Children are curious. They are not only curious about their own bodies, but also about other people's bodies. Children's curiosity may even lead to touching each other's private parts or “playing doctor.” Sometimes, however, the sexual behaviors of children are more than a result of harmless curiosity.
A: In general, giving little kisses to other children --on occasion -- is fairly common at this age. Even very young children imitate adults and are curious to "try on" adult gender roles, just for fun.
Curiosity about genitalia is a perfectly normal part of early sexual development. When little kids touch their own genitals or show an interest in looking at other people's private parts, they are most likely doing what young children are born to do: learning about themselves and the world around them.