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Get intimate (or into it) with vulvas, vaginas, clitoris, and labia. At least half our listeners have (or need to have) intimate relationship with these parts. Today Julie and Gina give a little sex parts overview.

This episode covers:

• What you need to know about these essential body parts
• Why it’s so hard to talk about vaginas, vulvas, and labia - and why we need to get used to these words
• How to explore your parts on your own and with a partner
• How to find a clitoris
• What is the difference between these terms and parts?

Memorable Quotes

“Historically we have so much cultural trouble with women or people with vagina’s experiencing pleasure.”

“There is too much mystery around the anatomy of this region of the body.”

“Knowing the human body is key to being a better lover.”

“You might have to get at a funny angle or incorporate a mirror to really get to know yours.”

“Vagina often gets used as an umbrella term to talk about the whole area.”

“Vulva is actually the more umbrella term. The outside of your body including labia, lips, and pubic area.”

“Every single vagina and vulva is different just like every face and body is different. There’s nothing wrong with yours if it doesn’t look exactly like what you thing it ‘should'.’”

“The clitoris is the tip of the vaginal opening including the clitoral hood, and it wraps into the body around the vaginal opening with thousands of nerve endings only designed to make you feel good.”

“Most of your pleasure center is usually in your clitoris. So when people ask is it weird that I like to have other parts of me touched or played with during vaginal penetration. It’s not weird, it’s biological.”

“Does it matter what part it is as long as it’s pleasurable and consensual?”

“If we get too wrapped up in trying to find the ‘right way"‘ to do things we’re usually caught up in one of the weird social norms that is not accurate. Don’t overthink it- enjoy it.”

“Most people need to supplement lubrication. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Trauma can complicate our experience of sexual connection.”

“Thinking a vagina gets ruined by too much sex or having a baby is the silliest thing. Nobody ever says ‘you’ve had too many erections penis, you’re worn out.’ Our bodies are made to stretch and grow."

Resouces from the Podcast

Orgasm Gap Episode

Masturbation Episode

Planned Parenthood anatomy site

OMG Yes

Becoming Clitorate

The Elusive Orgasm

Action Steps

Explore a vagina/vulva/clitoris. Especially if you have one.

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Your Swoon hosts

Gina Senarighi, MS, MA, CPC is a sexuality counselor and communication consultant specializing in healthy boundaries, passionate relationships, jealousy, and infidelity. She supports non-traditional couples all over the world as a retreat leader and certified relationship coach.
Connect with Gina

Julie Jeske, LPC is a sex and relationship counselor. She has a private practice where she helps clients increase intimacy, ignite passion and deepen their connection to themselves and others. Julie especially loves to help women discover who they are sexually. Through counseling, online classes, or in-person retreats; her clients learn how to talk about their sexual and relationship desires, and explore ways to make them a reality.
Connect with Julie