Using the word "vagina" when you mean "vulva"

[LividofLondon]

AIBU to think that people should know the difference between these parts of the body and use the correct names? It's not uncommon to hear people use the word vagina (the internal organ) when they clearly mean the vulva (the external parts). For example, "the great wall of vagina" sells a "Vagina Casting Kit", but you're going to be smearing alginate over your vulva not shoving it up your vagina! They also sell "The big coloring book of vaginas", and mention "...From the compact smooth vagina to a coiffed vagina with full lips..." when they mean vulva FFS! It grinds my gears!

no life's too short to worry about crap like this.

Just be thankful they aren't calling it a frou frou.

People should know the difference. I would vote for you - burn the ignorant I say

Vagina - every one knows what you mean.
Vulva- only those that have paid attention know what you mean.
Moo Moo - you need help.
Frou Frou - you must be shot

Sugar puff is our preferref terminology. Though it rules out eating a particularly tasty breakfast cereal anymore

This seems to be a bone of contention on mumsnet that I really struggle to get worked up about.

Everyone knows what you would mean if you said you had an itchy vagina, it really doesn't matter if you don't use the word vulva (which, by the way is the ugliest words I have ever come across, even just saying it makes me cringe!). Plus I have never heard anyone use the word vulva in real life, vagina, vag or one of the million alternatives always seems to cover it.

I literally could not give a flying fuck what people call it as long as they go for regular smears and aren't embarrassed to talk to a gp or medical professional about it.

Honestly I have never heard people get so riled up about this issue anywhere but mumsnet.

Well don't let it grind your gears

It annoys me too op! I am very literal-minded though, so I understand that most people don't bother about it, and I keep quiet in RL.

dunno - i call it pussy :)

You've just taught me the difference, and I have a GCSE in Biology.

That's why I tend to use the word fanny.

I hate the words "vagina" and "vulva". I wasn't raised as no fool and do know what they both are, though.

I cant get worked up about it, as such, but it does seem odd to be calling an external bit of your body the specific name for an internal part. And vagina is very specific.

I think the popularity of words like moo moo and flower, etc, is directly because there is no commonly known all encompassing word for a woman's genital area. Other than privates.

Which is what i'd say, i think, 'my privates are itchy', if my vulva was itchy. I wouldn't say my vagina was itchy if it wasn't.

Maybe the word vulva should be dragged into use. It is a real thing, and all women have one.

Mister aker if you say you have an itchy vagina to your doctor, when you really mean vulva, how will they know how to treat you?

I don't give a damn what anyone calls it, except for the awful 'front bottom' which I once read on a thread on here.

my dm in her 80s refers to it as her 'holiday money' now that is disturbing.

me and dds ( teens) say hoobijiibee. no idea why.

vulva reminds me of Vulcan and dr Spock.

who cares anyway.

Its a bloody ugly word though.

I think vagina is perhaps seen as the "important" part, the anti-penis if you like. So for that reason I prefer using vulva. Thank heavens have boys though.

Faloolah *

I like front bottom, it's descriptive.

I hate the words "vagina" and "vulva"
I'm not keen either and would only use them if speaking to a doctor where I think it's important to be clear about what part I'm referring to. But if someone is going to use gynaecological terms at least use the right one I say.

Ha, my friend (40's) didn't know what she peed out of
I am going for a bladder scan (dreading it) and she thought the camera would go up my vagina!!!
I pointed out that women do not pee out of their vaginas and it was news to her
She blames never having had children

because of MN, in this house its a Fanjo, when I'm with my sister its called a cunt.

I know the difference, of course, and I use the correct words when I am at the doctor or otherwise involved in a technical sort of conversation. Usually, though, I say hoo-ha.

I think if you told a doctor you had an 'itchy Vagina' they would further question you anyway to find out exactly what the issue was. I think most doctors would suspect that you might mean vulva and make sure.

I can categorically say I have never used the term 'vulva' seriously in real life, and nor have I heard anyone else, including doctors, use it.