The vulva: external female anatomy
The vulva covers all of the external female genitals: the mons pubis (the fatty mound above the pubic bone), the outer and inner labia, the clitoris and its hood, the urethral opening and the entrance to the vagina (NCI SEER). The shape, size and colour of these parts vary enormously from one woman to another (Boston Children's Hospital): there is no "standard" anatomy, whatever stylised images may suggest.
Close to the entrance of the vagina there are also small glands: the Skene's glands, right next to the urethra, and the Bartholin's glands, on either side of the vaginal opening. A cyst or abscess of a Bartholin's gland is not trivial for intimate life. In a prospective study carried out in a single Turkish hospital, 25 patients were compared with 25 women without this condition: before treatment, 48% of the patients had clinically significant sexual dysfunction (FSFI scale), and average pain fell from 5.96 to 1.04 on the visual analogue scale once symptoms had resolved, with a sexual function score back to a level comparable to the controls (Dağıstanlı et al., 2026). The sample is small and the study does not follow the patients beyond recovery: it mainly shows that a painful lump near the vaginal entrance is worth getting checked rather than waiting it out.
The clitoris: much more than its visible part
What you can see, the glans under its hood, is only the tip of a three-dimensional erectile organ. The dissections, MRI imaging and histological studies gathered by Helen O'Connell describe erectile bodies (bulbs and corpora cavernosa extended by roots) closely linked to the urethra, the vagina and the vestibular glands (O’Connell et al., 2005). The whole organ measures about ten centimetres (CUN). The authors regard the set formed by the clitoris, the distal urethra and the vagina as the seat of female sexual function (O’Connell et al., 2005): pleasure is not reduced to a single "spot" or a single zone, see the page on female pleasure.
One figure circulates widely: "8,000 nerve endings". It is old and poorly supported. The only recent human histological study counted an average of 5,140 myelinated nerve fibres in the dorsal nerve of the clitoris, an estimate of about 10,280 for both sides, assuming symmetry (Uloko et al., 2023). That estimate rests on just five samples, taken during surgery on transgender men, and counts neither unmyelinated fibres nor the innervation of the corpora cavernosa: it is an order of magnitude, not a definitive measurement.
People also speak of a "clitoral-urethro-vaginal complex": three-dimensional ultrasound scans carried out during penetration have suggested that the clitoris, the urethra and the front wall of the vagina move together. This work involves a very small number of volunteers and is disputed by other anatomists; it is safer to see it as a model of how things work than as a separate organ.
Internal female anatomy
The vagina is a muscular, elastic canal linking the vulva to the uterus (NCI SEER). The uterus, where a pregnancy may develop (NCI SEER), connects to the two fallopian tubes and the ovaries, which produce eggs and the sex hormones (oestrogen, progesterone) (NCI SEER). This system drives the menstrual cycle.
Arousal and lubrication: what happens in the body
In both sexes, arousal starts in the brain, with the reward circuit, oxytocin and endorphins, then reaches the pelvis: blood flows to the genitals (vasocongestion) and triggers lubrication. In women, vaginal moisture does not come from glands in the vaginal wall: a fluid derived from blood passes through the blood-engorged vaginal wall, and mucus from the Bartholin's glands is added at the entrance. In men, the Cowper's glands secrete a clear fluid before ejaculation that lubricates the urethra.
A healthy vagina is distinctly acidic: a flora of lactobacilli turns the sugar in the cells of the lining into lactic acid, which protects against infection. This balance is why harsh, perfumed or antiseptic products are not recommended inside the vagina.
Lubrication can be lacking for many reasons: foreplay that is too short, the aftermath of childbirth, menopause, certain medicines, tiredness or stress. Friction then causes micro-tears and pain during sex. A suitable lubricant or moisturiser (see below) helps, but dryness that persists or pain that keeps coming back warrants medical advice.
Male anatomy
The penis is built from erectile tissue that fills with blood during arousal, producing an erection. The glans at the tip is the most sensitive part; in uncircumcised men it is covered by the foreskin (NCI SEER). The testicles, held in the scrotum, produce sperm and testosterone (NCI SEER). In some men the foreskin can be difficult to retract fully (phimosis); this is not automatically a problem, but it can be discussed with a doctor if it interferes with sex (NHS, 2026).
The penis rests on three erectile cylinders surrounded by a fibrous sheath: two corpora cavernosa on top, which provide rigidity, and a corpus spongiosum underneath, which surrounds the urethra and continues into the glans. Erection is both a nervous and a vascular phenomenon: with arousal, chemical messengers such as nitric oxide relax the muscle in the blood vessels, blood fills the cavities of the corpora cavernosa and the venous outflow closes off, which maintains rigidity. Ejaculation then takes place in two stages: semen is first gathered in the urethra, then expelled by rhythmic contractions of the pelvic floor muscles. Erections that remain difficult or painful over time should be discussed with a doctor (see erectile dysfunction).
The pelvic floor
Present in both sexes, the pelvic floor is the group of muscles between the genitals and the anus. It plays a role in urinary continence, in childbirth for women, and also contributes to sensation during sex.
This pelvic floor can go in two directions. A muscle that is too slack (hypotonia), often after childbirth or pelvic surgery, gives less support to the organs and can dull sensation. A muscle that is too tight (hypertonia), on the other hand, sustains pain on penetration and some cases of vaginismus. Pelvic floor rehabilitation, prescribed by a doctor and carried out by a midwife or physiotherapist, starts with an assessment, then combines manual work, breathing and sometimes biofeedback, aiming to relax the muscles when pain dominates and to strengthen them in case of weakness.
Lubricants: finding your way around
A lubricant reduces friction and protects the lining; a vaginal moisturiser is rather used regularly against dryness. There are three types of base, with simple compatibility rules:
- Water-based: compatible with latex condoms and with silicone sex toys; this is the most versatile choice.
- Silicone-based: compatible with latex condoms, but it damages the surface of silicone toys.
- Oils and greasy products (vegetable oils, petroleum jelly, butter, creams): they weaken the latex of condoms and must be avoided with them.
Another, less visible criterion is osmolality, that is, the concentration of dissolved substances in the gel. A highly concentrated gel draws water out of the cells of the lining. In a laboratory study of 14 over-the-counter lubricants, 6 of the 10 water-based gels were clearly hyperosmolar, and these gels reduced cell viability and detached the epithelium on tissue samples, whereas products close to iso-osmolality and the silicones tested had no notable effect (Dezzutti et al., 2012). These are laboratory tests, not clinical trials: they call for caution, not alarm. Osmolality is not always shown on the packaging; failing that, avoid perfumed or "warming" products and ask a pharmacist.
On the regulatory side, a gel intended for use inside the vagina or rectum may fall under the European Medical Devices Regulation, which requires CE marking (Regulation (EU) 2017/745). Not all gels carry it: some are sold as cosmetic products. In case of a burn, an allergy or any problem with a product, it can be reported on the French national portal for adverse health events (signalement.social-sante.gouv.fr). If you are trying for a pregnancy, it is better to ask for advice, as some gels can hinder sperm. See also the page on lubricants.
Knowing your anatomy better: sex education in France
For a long time, the clitoris was absent from school teaching or reduced to a detail. Life and earth science textbooks have gradually included fuller diagrams, and the law provides for annual sessions at school on emotional, relational and sexual education that combine anatomy, consent and prevention. The third roadmap of the National Sexual Health Strategy, published on 11 September 2026, includes 22 actions spread across 5 areas, the first of which is devoted to informing and training (ARS Normandie, 2026).
For reliable information and a confidential conversation, the national free helpline 0 800 08 11 11 ("Sexualités, contraception, IVG") and the QuestionSexualite.fr website are free of charge; sexual health centres and CeGIDD clinics also see people at no cost.
Going further
For any question about discomfort, pain or worry concerning your anatomy, a GP, a gynaecologist, a urologist or a family planning centre can answer in a personalised and confidential way.
