Vulvas

[MeMyselfand]

What's all this vulva chat about, lately when I've seen any front bottom chat on here it's all vulva this and vulva that. Surely people don't call it their vulva in real life when talking to someone about it.

What do you call yours?

[MissusGeneHunt]

@IamaBluebird that's made me laugh hugely!!! Do you think there might be a Mr Spock euphemism here.... ;-)

[Confusedbeetle]

It has always mistified me that we are so coy about using an anatomically correct term with children. Vagina has become the word and yet it is as other posters have said. The internal tube. Whatever children use for their parts. They really should grow up knowing the right words. Would people use the words foof or willy at a medical consultation? If we are that coy why use any words. What is wrong with saying a bikini wax for example? There is nothing wrong in other people using the word vulva. Its the only way to normalise it

[Ansumpasty]

I don’t like it either. Growing up, nobody ever called it a vulva. It’s what you are used to.

[Furrycushion]

Did noone draw the same diagrams as me at school? Maybe they don't do it now for fear of upsetting delicate young flowers, but if you were at school in the 80s you would have no doubt what labia, vagina, uterus, ovaries etc were. It makes me since when people say (on here, never heard it in RL) that they are having their vagina waxed. The vagina is where the baby usually comes out (except caesarian, once). Simples.

[Furrycushion]

Obvs not once

[SaucyJack]

I think the “obsession with correct terminology” does apply to other parts of the body in a formal capacity?

No one would go to their GP and say they’d sprained their hand, when they meant their wrist presumably. People are just a bit weird about saying the correct term for their own genitals.

Having said that, I call it “downstairs” when supervising bathtime. Fanny in the bedroom, and the bit that gets trimmed is my bush.

[Confusedbeetle]

One point not yet discussed is that many of the common words, by the way they are used mainly by men are crude and abusive. And meant to be, abusive. Eg Trump. Words become a product of how they are used. That is why I wouldnt want my daughters using words that have become nasty

[noobs18]

@Hadalifeonce I think your daughter was right to shut you down. What do you think gives you the right to tell her how she describes her own body?! We should absolutely make sure our children know the correct terms, but which terms they use for their own body parts should be personal choice. It's her body so her decision. This is female empowerment, something we should be encouraging and supporting in our children

Female empowerment is not about a group of women telling all women what to do/say/wear etc. It is about each individual woman making her own choices.

[0hCrepe]

Hadalifeonce Gosh yes I bet you couldn’t understand for a moment which part of your daughter’s anatomy she wanted shave.

Vagina is a commonplace term used to describe the female genitals. It is used in films, schools etc. It just is and it’s what most people feel ok with. To pretend you don’t understand when it’s used in context is just pedantic. If you really really don’t know which specific part is being talked about you can ask further. There is also cross over, so you’ll hear eg ‘the lips of your vagina’.

[Confusedbeetle]

I think the best point made here is to use context appropriate words. It seems ok to use different words with the three year old in the bath, with you sexual partner , with a doctor. Children are very good about learning context approriate words. And that some words may be acceptable at home but not at school . Like fart for example. I suspect our discomfort is sexualising a word

[Hadalifeonce]

I had no idea that they use the term vagina to describe every part of their genitalia, not pedantic, and was concerned she was thinking of doing something dangerous.

[0hCrepe]

Seriously? What like?

[CandidaAlbicans]

I think it's rather sad when people appear so disinterested in their own bodies that they don't know what different parts are called or use the wrong word for those parts. Physiology is a great subject and, with the internet, we've never had access to such a wealth of information for educating ourselves. To ridicule women for using the correct words for their body parts is pretty sad. If I went to the doctor with vulval pain, why wouldn't I use the term "vulva" to explain? It cuts out potential confusion and means the dr doesn't have to "work out" what I mean. It's not intellectual snobbery either, it's having pride in education! Why don't we value it more?!

[Hadalifeonce]

Like try to shave her vagina????

[0hCrepe]

So you actually thought she was thinking about inserting a razor into her vagina?
Despite being aware that many people do call the external parts vagina and that hair, that you shave, grows just outside the vagina?

[0hCrepe]

I don’t ridicule women for using the correct terms but it gets tedious to have someone pointing it out everytime someone uses the term vagina to describe the whole area and ridiculing then.
Just not necessary. Like if your leg was hurting and you went to the doctor you might point to the part that was hurting or describe where rather than saying my femur or whatever, just as a doctor would be able to determine which part of your genitalia was hurting by asking and having a look.

[spidey66]

It's my fanny. While I know vulva is the correct medical term, outside MN I've only heard it used in a formal or medical way. I've never had to speak to a HCP about it, but if I did I'd probably say fanny or bits-and I'm a nurse. I don't know why, but I don't like the word, it's up there with 'moist ' and 'gusset '.

[Ellieboolou27]

Never in my 40 years have had my fanny called a vulva, many smears, one natural and 2 sections and not once has any medical professionals referred to it as my vulva.

My consultant asked mr to shave down there prior to my sections.

[Mishappening]

All delightful words. My favourite (ref men) is "barse" for perineum. When I asked my DD (fount of all wisdom!) what a barse was she said: "It is the no-mans land between your balls and your arse." Lovely.

[MaryBoBary]

I’ve never used the word vulva. It’s either fanny or vaj. I’ve never needed to differentiate between vulva and vagina in a conversation before.

[MaryBoBary]

My OH did name it my vajanus after my son was born... happy to report I no longer have a vajanus!

[vivariumvivariumsvivaria]

I LOOOOOOOVE saying vulva.

It horrifies my daughter who says it's a disgusting word. She's 14,a nd she's not leaving this house without knowing the difference between her vagina (fairly useless for sexual pleasure) and her vulva (where the sensitive bits are)

Took me iil my 30s to figure out what was where and what I liked.

Ridiculous.

Female sexual pleasure is housed in our vulvas. There's nothing shameful about that. Unless you re a fan of the Daily Mail.

[Branleuse]

people are obsessed with the word vulva. Half the time they mean their mons pubis ffs

[Gnomesoftheglaaxy]

Not read full thread but....

Minge all the way!!

I work with someone who calls it her 'down below'

[Rebecca36]

MeMyselfand Wed 05-Sep-18 08:33:03
RJnomore1 I have in no way diminished myself by simplifying the meaning. I'm very comfortable with my sexual organs and confident in their use.

I just don't feel the need in my every day life to use the correct term.
--

Who talks about their (or anyone else's) genitals in 'every day life'?
When it is relevant to talk about genitals it's a good idea to use the correct term but most of us will manage at least a few days every month without saying, "Vulva" :-).

I don't understand the coyness about using correct terms. I certainly would teach children to know what bits of them are called. Of course everyone has colloquial names for them too, some of which are funny and charming, which is fine as long as they know the correct words and are not embarrassed by them.