For Teens

Welcome to your body’s cheat sheet!

Let’s get real for a second—there’s a lot happening with your body right now, and sometimes it feels like no one really explains what’s going on. That’s where we come in!

My Vagina is here to give you all the info you need about your vagina, vulva, and the changes you’re going through—without the awkwardness or weird science-y words no one understands.

We’re talking everything from periods (what’s the deal with all that blood?) to puberty (hello, hormones!), masturbation (totally normal), and all those questions you might not feel comfortable asking out loud.

Spoiler alert: there’s nothing gross, shameful, or embarrassing about your body—it’s actually pretty amazing.

This is your safe space to learn, explore, and figure out how to take care of yourself. So grab a snack, settle in, and let’s dive into the facts about your body—because knowledge is power, and you deserve to feel good about yours!

What is my vagina and vulva?

We explain your anatomy, with diagrams, so that you can visualise what’s going on inside the bits you can’t see or touch. 

So let’s break it down! The vulva is the outside part of your genitals, and it’s what you can see in the mirror. It includes your labia (the “lips”), clitoris, and the openings to your vagina and urethra (where pee comes out).

Everyone’s vulva looks a little different, which is completely normal—kind of like how no two faces are exactly the same!

Now, the vagina is the inside part. It’s a stretchy tube-like passage that connects the outside of your body (your vulva) to your uterus. The vagina is super flexible—it’s designed to handle everything from menstrual blood flowing out, to tampons or menstrual cups, and, if you choose to in the future, even sex or giving birth.

The vagina also has its own cleaning system (amazing, right?) with good bacteria that keep it healthy and balanced.

The clitoris is another important part of your vulva. It’s a small but mighty area packed with thousands of nerve endings that make it very sensitive. It’s there for one reason: pleasure.

There’s also your urethra, which is separate from your vagina, and it’s where pee comes out.

Together, your vagina and vulva are complex, powerful, and important parts of your body. Understanding them helps you take care of yourself, feel more confident, and know what’s normal and healthy.

Remember, there’s no such thing as a “perfect” vulva—your body is perfect just the way it is!

Understanding sexual pleasure, masturbation, and sex

Sexual pleasure is about feeling good in your body, whether it’s on your own or with someone else. It’s a natural part of being human and can help you understand what you like, what feels good, and how your body works.

Pleasure is personal—what feels good to one person might not feel the same for someone else, and that’s totally normal. Exploring what brings you pleasure, either through touch or simply learning about your body, is an important step in understanding yourself.

Masturbation is one way people experience sexual pleasure on their own. It’s when you touch or stimulate your body, especially your genitals, to feel good. It’s completely normal, safe, and a healthy way to learn what you enjoy.

Masturbation doesn’t hurt you, and it’s private, so it’s up to you if or when you explore it. Some people do it often, some never, and both are okay. It’s your body, and there’s no right or wrong way to feel about it.

Sex, on the other hand, is about sharing intimacy with someone else. It can be a beautiful way to connect emotionally and physically when both people are ready and give their full consent.

For some, sex is also about reproduction, but for many, it’s more about closeness and pleasure.

It’s important to know that sex is a big decision and should always involve open communication, mutual respect, and safety, like using contraception to prevent pregnancy and protect against STIs.

Whether you’re thinking about masturbation, sex, or both, what matters most is understanding your body and your feelings.

Sexual pleasure should always be something you feel comfortable and in control of, whether you’re exploring alone or with a partner. Take your time, set your boundaries, and always prioritise your emotional and physical well-being.

• How girls masturbate
• How to have sex 101

To get you started on your periods, we’ve made a very simple period guide to start you and your period off on the right foot.

What is a period and the menstrual cycle?

Let’s start with the basics: your period is when your uterus sheds its lining, which leaves your body as blood through the vagina. This happens roughly once a month and lasts about 3-7 days. It’s a sign your body is healthy and doing what it’s supposed to, even if it feels like a hassle.

Your period is part of the menstrual cycle, which is the process your body goes through to prepare for pregnancy. The cycle starts on the first day of your period and ends the day before your next one. Most cycles are about 28 days but can range from 21 to 35 days—and that’s normal.

Why do I get period pain?

Period pain, or cramps, happens because your uterus is contracting to push out its lining. 

For some people, it’s mild, like a dull ache, but for others, it can be more intense. Heat packs, gentle exercise, and pain relievers can help, and over time, the pain often gets less intense. If it’s so bad that you can’t do your normal activities, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor.

What is PMS?

PMS (premenstrual syndrome) refers to emotional and physical changes some people experience before their period starts. You might feel moody, tired, bloated, or have sore breasts. It’s caused by hormonal changes in your body and usually improves once your period begins.

What is PMDD?

For some, PMS can be more severe and disrupt daily life—this might be PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), which is like an extreme form of PMS. PMDD can cause intense sadness, anger, or anxiety before your period, and if you think you might have it, talking to a healthcare provider can help.

Understanding the menstrual cycle

The menstrual cycle is unique to everyone, and getting to know yours is important. You can track your cycle using an app or calendar to notice patterns, like when you might feel PMS symptoms or when your period will start.

Understanding your cycle helps you take control of your health and plan ahead so you’re not caught off guard. Remember, periods and the changes they bring are normal, and there’s support available if you need it!

•  Periods
•  Hormones and the Menstrual Cycle

The most common infections are bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections. You can also catch infections from other people during sexual intimacy, known as sexually transmitted infections. 

Signs that you have an infection or overgrowth include discharge that seems unusual – it might be watery, smelly, chunky or coloured. No matter what, if you suspect an infection, see your doctor for a test. 

•  Infections

Vaginal and urinary tract infections (UTIs) are pretty common and can happen to anyone, so if you ever get one, don’t panic—it’s usually easy to treat.

Vaginal infections

A vaginal infection, like a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis (BV), happens when the natural balance of bacteria and yeast in your vagina gets thrown off. This can lead to symptoms like itching, unusual discharge, or a strange smell.

It doesn’t mean you’re dirty or did something wrong; things like hormonal changes, certain soaps, or even your diet can cause it.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

UTIs, on the other hand, affect your urinary tract, which includes your bladder and the tube (urethra) that carries pee out of your body. A UTI can happen when bacteria from another part of your body or outside your body gets into your urinary tract.

Symptoms often include a burning feeling when you pee, needing to pee a lot but only going a little, and sometimes pain in your lower belly. If you notice blood in your pee or have aching kidneys, it’s a sign to see a doctor quickly.

Treating infections

Both types of infections are treatable. Vaginal infections might need herbal or drug antifungals or antibiotics, depending on what’s causing them, and UTIs are usually treated with antibiotics or herbal medicine.

Drinking plenty of water can help flush out a UTI, and wearing breathable cotton underwear can reduce the chances of vaginal infections. It’s also a good idea to avoid heavily scented soaps or douches—they can mess with your vagina’s natural balance.

What to do if you think you’ve got an infection

If you think you have an infection, talk to a trusted adult or a healthcare provider. It might feel a little awkward, but getting the right treatment will help you feel better fast. And remember, these infections are common and nothing to be ashamed of!

Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers, and during your menstrual cycle, they’re in charge of all the changes that happen. Think of them as the directors behind the scenes, controlling when your period starts, when you ovulate, and how your body feels throughout the month.

The key hormones involved in the menstrual cycle are estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinising hormone (LH).

At the start of your cycle (the first day of your period), your body’s hormone levels are low, which triggers the uterus to shed its lining—this is your period.

Once your period ends, estrogen levels start to rise. Estrogen helps rebuild the lining of the uterus, getting it ready for a potential pregnancy. Around the middle of your cycle, a surge in LH causes ovulation, which is when one of your ovaries releases an egg.

After ovulation, progesterone levels rise. Progesterone helps prepare the uterus for pregnancy by thickening its lining. If the egg isn’t fertilised, progesterone and estrogen levels drop, signaling your body to start your period again.

These hormone shifts also explain why you might feel different throughout your cycle—sometimes more energised, other times moody or tired. This is all part of your body’s natural rhythm.

Hormones can also cause symptoms like cramps, bloating, and tender breasts before your period starts, which is called PMS (premenstrual syndrome).

Tracking your cycle can help you understand how these hormone changes affect you, so you’re better prepared each month. Hormones might feel mysterious, but they’re just your body’s way of keeping everything running smoothly!

• Hormones and the Menstrual Cycle

While you might not need it right now, it pays to be prepared! Choosing birth control and contraception can be complicated, so get all the information before you need it. 

The first step when you’re starting out is to protect yourself with barrier methods to stop the transmission of unhealthy bacteria from vagina-penis, vagina-vagina and especially anus-vagina. 

• All your options – birth control and contraception
• Sexually transmitted infections

Birth control, also known as contraception, is anything used to prevent pregnancy and give you more control over your sexual health. There are lots of different options, and choosing the right one depends on your body, lifestyle, and preferences.

It’s important to know that contraception isn’t just for people who can get pregnant—it’s also about protecting yourself and your partner(s) from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and making decisions that feel right for you, no matter your gender or sexual orientation.

If pregnancy prevention is a concern, methods like condoms, birth control pills, IUDs (intrauterine devices), or implants can help. Condoms are great because they also protect against STIs, and they’re inclusive—they can be used by anyone, regardless of gender or the type of sex you’re having.

STI prevention

For LGBTQ people who aren’t at risk of pregnancy but want to avoid STIs, condoms and dental dams are excellent options. A dental dam is a thin sheet of latex or silicone that creates a barrier during oral sex.

Pregnancy prevention

For people with uteruses who want to prevent pregnancy, hormonal options like the pill, patch, or IUDs work by regulating your body’s hormones to stop ovulation or make it harder for sperm to reach an egg.

These methods are private, long-lasting, and effective, but they don’t protect against STIs, so they’re often paired with barrier methods like condoms.

If you’re not sure what’s right for you, talking to a healthcare provider can help—they’ll guide you without judgment, no matter your identity or relationship.

Remember, birth control and contraception are personal choices, and it’s about finding what works best for you and your body. Whether you’re straight, gay, nonbinary, or anywhere on the spectrum, taking care of your sexual health is about being informed, confident, and safe. Your body, your rules.

Feeling confident in your body can be tough, especially when it comes to private areas like your genitals. There’s so much pressure to look a certain way, but here’s the truth: everyone’s body is unique, and that includes vulvas, penises, and everything in between.

There’s no “normal” way for genitals to look—they come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and they’re all perfectly okay. Whether you have a penis, a vulva, are intersex, or you’re navigating gender identity and may not feel connected to your genitals right now, your body is valid, just as it is.

It’s easy to compare yourself to what you see online, in media, or even what friends say, but those images are often unrealistic and don’t reflect the incredible diversity of real bodies.

For example, labia (the “lips” of the vulva) can be small, large, smooth, wrinkled, even uneven—and that’s all normal. Penises also vary greatly in size, shape, and color, and size doesn’t define worth or ability.

For LGBTQ folks, body confidence can feel extra complicated, especially if your body doesn’t align with your gender identity. Remember, you deserve to feel comfortable and at home in your body, and there’s support available if you need it.

Confidence comes from understanding and caring for your body. Learn about how your private areas work, take care of them with good hygiene, and focus on how they help you live your life rather than how they look.

It’s also okay to have complicated feelings about your body—many people do. Be kind to yourself, and remember that you are so much more than just how your body looks.

If you’re struggling, talking to a trusted adult, counselor, or LGBTQ-friendly resource can help you navigate those feelings. Everyone’s journey to body confidence is different, but it starts with self-acceptance and knowing your body is uniquely yours and worth celebrating.