Gynecological Autonomy (1/3): first, know your anatomy!
- Labia majora : They are covered with hair from adolescence, they serve to protect the vagina against microbes and help maintain moisture.
- Labia minora : To observe them, spread the labia majora apart, the shape and size are infinitely different depending on each woman. They are hairless and very sensitive, they also serve to protect the vagina. During sexual arousal, they swell, darken and lubricate. I emphasize "during sexual arousal" because this is not always the case during penetration, this is another debate that I will address in another article, to discuss the consequences of poor lubrication caused by deficient stimulation.
- Clitoris: it is the center of pleasure and orgasm. It is filled with nerve endings, and it is an erectile organ that swells when stimulated. Another article will certainly be dedicated to it to honor it and know it better ;)
- Urinary orifice: this is where urine comes out, it is the "terminus" of the urethra which is connected to the bladder, it is important to know to better understand the relationship between urinary tract infections and vaginal infections ;)
- Vaginal orifice and hymen: the orifice that connects to the vagina, this is where vaginal secretions and menstrual blood come out and where the cup, tampons, a penis during sexual intercourse or a sex toy during masturbation are inserted. This is also where you can then access to perform gynecological self-exploration. The hymen is a membrane that partially covers the vaginal orifice, in rare cases. Currently, there is no scientific proof of biological function, it is apparently an embryonic remnant. On the other hand, it is well known that it was a source of sexual oppression against women, I will also devote another article to everything we know about it today and demystify everything we have heard about "proof of virginity".
- Anus: This is the opening that connects the large intestine to the outside to allow the elimination of stools.
2. Internal female genitalia
During self-exploration, the beginning of your gynecological autonomy, you will first be able to touch the walls of the vagina and the cervix which will already provide you with a lot of information, to then start the visual exploration with the help of a speculum. I invite you to join a self-help group ( Paris or Toulouse ) to learn about self-exploration or to acquire this book "Self-exploration: a gesture of health" from the Montreal Women's Health Center.
- Vagina : It is a muscular and elastic canal, generally moist and pink in color, it connects the uterus to the outside and allows penetration during sexual intercourse. It is also the passageway of menstruation, babies during vaginal delivery and vaginal fluids or secretions. Vaginal secretions can provide us with a lot of information about the state of our gynecological health.
- Cervix: This is the point of communication between the vagina and the uterus. It appears as a protuberance, usually pink in color, but in some women who take the pill it can be more colored (more reddish). It is divided into an upper part (on the uterus side) and a lower part (vagina side). At the border between these two areas is the "junction zone" where cancers generally develop, which is why learning to observe your cervix is an extraordinary preventive measure. The cervix produces mucus that lubricates the vagina and protects the uterus from infections. It also plays a role in regulating conception (which I will explain in the next article), and the cervix also keeps the baby inside the uterus during pregnancy (it closes) and opens during childbirth (the dilation of the cervix).
- Uterus: It serves to accommodate the fertilized egg so that it develops and transforms into a beautiful baby during pregnancy.
- Ovaries: These are responsible for producing female sex cells (eggs) and female sex hormones, which I will also cover in the next article.
- Fallopian tubes: They transport the eggs to the uterus each month, which wait to meet a sperm to give rise to fertilization.
3. The anatomical position of the uterus
To properly approach your gynecological autonomy, it is important to clearly represent the anatomical position of your uterus. It is located in the lower abdomen, behind the bladder and in front of the rectum (large intestine). Normally, it is positioned in anteroflexion, that is to say it leans forward, but for about 25% of women it is in retroversion (leaning backward). This information is important to understand certain symptoms, either urinary or digestive, associated with menstruation, or pregnancy for example, as well as the connection between urinary tract infections and vaginal infections.
4. The layers of the uterus
Let's get into the details: gynecological autonomy also involves a bit of pure biology!
The wall of the uterus is made up of 3 layers, starting from the outside and going inward:
- The perimetrium: this is the external layer, it provides lubrication and facilitates the movements of the uterus
- The myometrium: this is the middle layer, which contains the muscle fibers (of the muscle), which are very powerful, because they ensure uterine contractions in order to lower and expel the baby at the time of delivery.
- The endometrium: this is the inner layer, it contains certain glands and under the influence of hormones, this layer develops every month in order to receive a fertilized egg, which if it is not, will detach with menstruation.
