Page 37 - (DK) Help Your Kids with Growing Up: A No-Nonsense Guide to Puberty and Adolescence

FEM ALE SEX ORGANS 35

On the outside GOOD T O KNO W
The external sex organs, known as the vulva or genitals, are The hymen
located between the legs. There is a lot of variation in the shape,
size, and colour of female genitals. Everybody’s genitals are Females are born with a hymen, a thin membrane of skin
unique and a teen should never worry that hers should look a covering the vaginal opening, but over time it wears away.
certain way. Playing certain sports can cause the hymen to disintegrate,
but if it hasn’t already done so by puberty, hormones cause
it to break down to allow vaginal discharge and menstrual
Clitoris
This internal system is actually much bigger blood to leave the body.
than what is visible externally. The clitoris swells
during sexual arousal and its tip contains
thousands of sensitive nerve endings.
Mons pubis ◁ The vulva
This fatty tissue over the pubic bones This term refers to
is generally covered in pubic hair after
the onset of puberty. the external female
genitals, which are full
External labia of nerves that play a
The outer lips protect the role in sexual arousal.
vaginal opening.
Urethral opening
Internal labia The urethra connects to the bladder and
These protective inner folds is where urine is expelled from the body.
of skin are often longer Vaginal opening
than the external labia.
This opening can shrink or expand during
sex or childbirth.

Anus
Situated at the end of the rectum between the
buttocks, this is where faeces is expelled from the body.
It sits close to the genitals but is not part of them.

Shapes and sizes
Each female’s genitals are
different. Some have a
bigger internal labia than
external, while for others the
opposite is true. The size of
the clitoris also varies.

TEEN HINTS
Staying healthy Using a mirror
Practising good hygiene reduces the possibility of genital
infections. After going to the toilet, girls should always wipe Using a small mirror to look between
from front to back to avoid spreading bacteria from the anus to your legs, it’s possible to get to know
the vagina. Washing the genital area every day and patting it your genitals and see what part is where.
dry thoroughly afterwards, as well as wearing clean underwear, Learn what’s normal for you, so that you
helps to keep it healthy. The vagina cleans itself, so it's not can recognize if there are any changes
necessary to wash inside. down there.

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