Question: Is it normal for a vagina to have like a large blue-ish vein thing? (I'm 15, I've never had sex, but I do masturbate about everyday) I don't think I have varicose veins 'cause I've had this for awhile and I never felt any discomfort. It doesn't hurt when I touch it, and I kind of pinched and it just felt like normal skin. It just has a very very very very light blueish tint. It's located outside the clitoris, so I think the prepuce?

Answer: I'm not a medical doctor so I can only provide general information, not medical advice.

It doesn't sound abnormal to me. Off hand, I don't recall seeing this before, but I've seen breasts with very visible blood vessels, especially on women with red hair and pale skin. The vulva has a rich blood supply so prominent blood vessels are certainly a possibility.

 

Question: My question would fall in between oral sex and masturbation. I'm 18 and I've probably been masturbating for about 8 years now. I could always bring myself to orgasm with ease and in a short amount of time. But a few days ago my boyfriend performed oral sex on me. It was the first time that I've tried it and it felt great but now when I masturbate it takes a really long time for me to orgasm. I'm not sure if it was because of how much force he used during oral sex or what but I'm pretty concerned about it.

Answer: I know of no physical reason why oral stimulation of your vulva should adversely impact your masturbation activities, even if your boyfriend was over zealous. Keep in mind, your vulva is designed with the idea that an infant's head can pass through it, so it is relatively strong and durable. His actions should at most have caused short term soreness and sensitivity, not lasting harm. I can only speculate that your delayed orgasms are the result of guilt concerning your experience with your boyfriend, or believe this activity, oral sex, was potentially harmful or inappropriate.

I can only recommend that you take a few days rest from masturbation, and partnered sex, to allow your mind and body a chance to rest and recuperate. During this time, examine your feelings toward the event, and consider if those feelings are appropriate.

 

Question: Hi first I just want to say that I love your site! I've learned a lot and saved me from asking some potentially embarrassing questions. Anyway, I have a question about my clitoris. I've looked at lots of photos but honestly, I still don't know if what I'm looking at is the glans or just the hood. When I pull the skin back, I can see a little mound of flesh, but there's a rather odd sort of y-shaped opening in it. If I pull the skin a little harder it slips down a little but it doesn't really hurt to pull the skin. I'm just afraid I might rip something. If it is the glans that I'm seeing, it's not very sensitive. In fact most of the time it's completely numb. I have had orgasms before, but I have to stimulate myself for an extremely long time to make it happen, and more often that not I end up frustrated. I don't know if this is related to my orgasm problems, but I'm hoping you can at least tell me what I'm looking at down there! I'm including a picture. It's not very good but maybe it will help a little... Thanks 

Answer: I resized and touched up your photograph a bit to help us see things more clearly. I have identified your clitoris and the surrounding structures. Move your mouse cursor over the image to see the various structures identified with different colors. There is no obvious signs of problems with your anatomy.

Anatomy of Vulva Labeled
Green - Outer Surface of Hood
Blue - Inner Surface of Hood
Red - Clitoral Glans
Yellow - Upper Edge of Inner Labia

I recommend applying a lubricant to the clitoral glans, then lightly caress it with a fingertip. Experiment with a thin lubricant (vegetable or olive oil) then a thick lubricant (Vaseline). Don't expect instantaneous results. Perhaps relax in front of the TV for 30-60 minutes, while caressing your clitoris. This exercise is described in detail on the page linked to below, minus the information specifically about your clitoris and using different lubricants.

perception_of_sexual_arousal_and_desire.htm

 

Question: First of all, I would like to say that this website is fantastic! For some years now 've been reading it and found out lots of useful information! Thank you for being so informative! So, I would like to ask if it is possible for a man to get pre-cum even if he never ever had it before (but he never had sex either). We are planing to have sex some time soon and wonder if it would be safe to start it without a condom

Answer: I am happy to hear you enjoy the website.

What if you enjoy it some much, simply the idea of what you are doing, and experience premature ejaculation?

A penis shouldn't come near a vulva or vagina unless it is enclosed in a condom.

It only takes one sperm to get a woman pregnant, plus there are always sexually transmitted diseases to be concerned about.

 

Question: I'm 21 years old and in a long distance relationship with my boyfriend for 2 years now. I am in need of serious help and I don't care if you post this question. For over a year, I have been trying to do everything I can to keep myself safe from bacterial vaginiosis and yeast infections and trying to taste better for my  boyfriend. I've been staying away from scented sprays and anything else that can cause bad reactions with my vagina. Recently, I had a mix of yeast infection and bacterial vaginiosis all at once with dry cracked skin on my inner labia majora and random little cuts in between where the inner and outer labia meet, for 4 weeks. Only 2 weeks ago, my doctor who tested me for EVERYTHING told me everything about me is normal and it was all probably a mix form my Adderall and stress. I'm now finally healed (internally). I have ADD and I take Adderall XR 30 mg every day (which I have been taking since I was 8) which I recently found out, when eating sugar makes women who had a yeast infection once have more re-occurrences or are more prone to yeast infections. Every time I see my LDR boyfriend (which is usually once or twice a month)I'm usually off my Adderal XR because it makes it harder for me to relax and decreases my libido. The dry skin on my labia has been coming back every now and again but the cuts and dry skin are STILL here now. I also have a small bleeding cut above my rectum that still hasn't healed or stopped bleeding. The cuts and dry skin and the infection appeared after my boyfriend and I tried having sex for the first time last October. (We used a condom and regular water-based lube) I say "tried" because he had trouble getting inside me and when he finally did, it hurt way too much for him and me, so he got soft and pulled out. We tried different positions (we started missionary) but nothing worked and I was almost hurting him at one point.(we are/were both virgins) We plan on trying again soon when we can see each other again as long as I'm completely healed all over. I've been researching everything and I have silicone lube and water-based glycerin-free lube. I've changed my soap to unscented unfragranced soap, been eating more fruits and I plan on changing my medication because it has been causing more physical problems for me now other than sexual.

So I have a few questions.

1. What can I use to heal these cuts on around my vagina and my rectum to make the bleeding stop so I won't get any new infections? I used antibiotic ointment cream like Neosporin on the cuts and they still don't heal or stop the bleeding.

2. What else can I use to heal the dry cracked skin on my labia besides metronidazole vaginal gel that my doctor gave me and washing my labia with warm water?

3. How can he and I have sex again without us hurting each other or me having another problem like this again?

4. How do I know if he is tasting my discharge or my natural "wetness" or my sweat when he goes down on me?

5. How can I tell if my discharge is normal or not?

6. Why is it that my discharge leaves a yellow-green dried up pieces on my underwear in the morning and is that normal?

7. How can I shave my pubic hair without causing any infection or accidently scraping my labia?

I know I'm asking a lot but I really hope you can help me even though I really don't know if any of you are doctors but any advice you can give me would be appreciated.

Answer: I'm not a doctor so I can only provide general information, not a medical diagnosis.

Since you were on Adderall for 12 years prior to the onset of your initial symptoms, it seems unlikely it is the cause, yet not totally impossible.

I can't confirm your comment about the use if this medication increasing the likelihood of recurrent yeast infections, but if true, it seems possible that it somehow alters your reproductive hormone levels, specifically those controlling the health and environment of your vulva and vagina. The articles linked to below address those hormones and environment.

anatomy_of_vagina_2_2.htm#fluids


feminine_hygiene.htm


The symptoms you describe experiencing, dry cracking tissues of the vulva, may be a form of atrophic vaginitis, which medication and stress could bring about.

female_sexual_health.htm#depo

female_sexual_health.htm#stress

Based on the resent infections and current symptoms, perhaps your doctor needs to evaluate your hormone levels, specifically estrogen levels. A problem with your hormone levels, or an unhealthy bacterial population, may be confirmed by your doctor testing the pH of your vulva and vagina.

As mentioned in the articles linked to above, your vulva and vagina do not require special care or cleaning, even prior to oral sex. If you started caring for your vulva differently at the time you began to explore sexual intercourse, this may explain the onset of the symptoms. The only things that truly should come in contact with your vulva are air and plain water, everything else is a potential irritant, or may alter the vaginal and vulvar environment.

If your vulva had an unpleasant taste back in October, or prior, it may indicate you had an infection at the time. Anything new you may have started doing at that time may have made things worse. The healthy vulva and vagina normally taste pleasant, or 87% of men wouldn't like performing oral sex.

http://www.jhsph.edu/bin/a/d/Adena-sexual pleasure.pdf

Pain during sexual intercourse is medically termed "dyspareunia." There are many possible causes, as indicated in the article linked to below:

female_virginity_2.htm#pain1

female_virginity_3.htm#Muscles

The inability to insert a penis or objects into the vagina may be caused by "vaginismus." If your doctor was able to insert a speculum during your gynecological exam, without difficulty or pain, then either you do not experience this, or it only occurs during attempts at sexual intercourse. The article linked to below provides a little information about vaginismus, and links to additional information. The article also explains how you can go about preparing your vagina for sexual intercourse, without pain.

locating_the_vagina.htm

It is possible you had an infection and/or atrophic vaginitis at the time you attempted sexual intercourse, and the pain was an indication and symptom of this. As I mention in the article linked to above, pain always indicates something is wrong, even during your first experience of intercourse. Contrary to popular myth, a woman's first experience of intercourse is not usually a painful and bloody experience. In the survey results linked to below, women provide an idea of what their first experience of intercourse was like:

polls.htm#first

You definitely should not explore intercourse, or engage in oral sex, until the symptoms you describe experiencing are fully resolved.

Oral sex may even be the cause, see Q&A linked to below.

qa2_22.htm

The symptoms and infections you experience may also be the result of an allergy to anything and everything, including sexual lubricants and latex condoms. Keep this in mind when exposing your vulva and vagina to new things, including sex.

To the best of my knowledge, a greenish colored vaginal discharge is a possible indication of infection. Please see the information linked to below, describing normal, yet greatly varying, vaginal discharge.

anatomy_of_vagina_2_2.htm#vfluids

vaginal_infections.htm

Applying vitamin E oil to your vulva and perineum may help with healing and discomfort, but discuss this with your doctor first, as it may alter your test results and treatment.

Information on shaving the pubic hair is linked to below:

shave_indx.htm

I hope this information helps you resolve your symptoms, and helps you discover an enjoyable sexual future.

 

Question: Can it be a yeast infection if  vaginal discharge is acidic? I've got this problem that from time to time my vaginal discharge gets white and thick but it taste acidic.... I have no idea what the hell it is.

Answer: I'm not a doctor so I can only provide general information not a medical diagnosis.

Please have a look at the information linked to below, which indicates a white discharge could be normal. What is not normal is also described. The second link is to photographs showing what I believe is normal white cervical fluid. This white cervical fluid wouldn't be associated with indications of a yeast infection.

anatomy_of_vagina_2_2.htm#vfluids

cervix_2.htm

Yeast infections are addressed in this article:

vaginal_infections.htm

 

Question: I have read that the vagina lengthens to acomodate a longer penis. Will it enlongate during intercourse if one is not sexually aroused, and if so is it painful?  Also, when one is aroused and the vagina enlongates does the cervix move deeper into the body and remain at the back of the vagina or does the increased length come by streaching the vaginal vault?

Answer: While I have read the same, about the vagina lengthening, I haven't seen any scientific proof of this fact. Please see the information linked to below:

anatomy_of_vagina_1_2.htm#fornix

anatomy_of_vagina_notes.htm#ast2

qa9_9.htm

In regard to pain, some women always find deep penetration painful, even with an average size penis, and doctors don't always know why.

If you aren't sexually aroused, and not producing lubrication, intercourse will be painful, or at least uncomfortable, regardless of the size of the penis.

 

Question: Hello, I have a problem regarding a growth (I'm assuming) under my clitoral hood. It went from a minor irritation that I thought might be just one of those itchy days. To a pea-sized lump, then to a small grape-sized lump in a week. This is bothering me so much, just regarding the sensitive female location. My activities have changed only slightly. I have been more active at the gym, and following a 1200 cal/day diet. I have used a clitoral vibrator, but I've had it for a few years and use it on and off regularly.

I know it's not a bartholin's cyst, it's not the right place. It might be an adhesion, but I don't know if the lump is relevant to that condition. It's like an abscess, it has no head, it's just become firm and more painful as the days go by. I've done hot saltwater compress, ice water compress, apple cider vinegar application, turmeric capsules to reduce inflammation. I'm losing hope, I've started taking Advil, for the pain now. I will be trying to see a doctor, but it is something that I dread so badly.

Answer: I'm afraid I can't answer your question, as it sounds like you require a medical evaluation.

I would guess at a plugged oil gland, or inflamation caused by trapped smegma, or some other material. The information linked to below may provide some general information that may be of help when you consult your doctor.

clitoral_adhesions.htm

 

Question: This is going to be a little long, I apologize in advance.

I am 20 years old, and very sexually frustrated.

Let me start at the beginning.

When I was younger (from about 11-17) I was molested by my grandfather.

For longest time I really didn't know what he was doing but as I got older I realized. The reason I kept comming back was because he PAID me. He paid me to let him touch my breasts and kiss my neck and call me his lover.

Now, I'm older, and as a result, I feel a little robbed, and... Cold.

I cannot reach orgasm with a partner. (of any sex) oral stimulation doesn't feel like anything. The only way I seem to be able to get any sort of satistfaction is to hold my breath, tense all of my muscles and clutch onto something.

I have no trouble getting aroused, sometimes even imagining sex gets me going, but it doesn't seem to matter, because physical contact doesn't seem to do anything for me. 

Not only that, but I find when I enter relationships, I am a compulsive liar to my partner, have absolutely no interest in them once "it's official" and feel as though I'm wasting my time. (its not like that before we date, just as soon as some romantic partnership has been declared)

Is this because of my grandfather?

Should I seek help?

I'm really worried about the kind of person I might become.

Answer: I'm not a professional therapist or the like, please keep this in mind when reading my comments and suggestions.

The sexual abuse could be the cause, but you don't mention whether other aspects of your childhood and adolescence were healthy or unhealthy. The sexual abuse may have occurred concurrently with other forms of abuse. Concurrent or subsequent relationships could have resulted in an inability to trust others, and prevent the formation of a mutually beneficial relationship.

Money aside, what may have compelled you to seek affection and attention from your grandfather? I believe most girls know by the age of 11 who should and who shouldn't touch their breasts and genitals, which at that age is usually everyone. Even if they do know, they may be curious and/or looking for any attention, affection, and approval they can get, especially if they are being neglected by others in their family, or there is no other family. While they may be playing at being an adult, it isn't child's play, as the other person is an adult with adult intentions.

While not acknowledged by society, girls may experience sexual desire and responses at a young age, which may add another layer of motivation, confusion, and guilt. If you feel guilt and anger toward him and/or these activities, this would certainly influence your relationships with others.

There is a neurological connection between the nipples and genitals via the brain. This connection may result in a genital response to breast stimulation, as if the genitals were being directly stimulated by the abuser. The genitals and brain may respond accordingly, and the consequences might be the same as if the sexual abuse had included touching of the genitals.

If you learned to suppress or deny any physical sensations that occurred during the abuse, that may result in you feeling little or nothing today, during partnered sex. You don't want anything to remind you of those prior experiences, or consider everything about them, including your physical and psychological responses, as bad and undesired. You may have to unlearn six years of abuse, and your response to it.

If your relationship with your grandfather was significant, or more significant than any other at this critical time in your life, adolescence, any loss of trust in it would probably result in an inability to trust others. This may explain your behavior once in a relationship, as you don't trust them, and don't want to be hurt again. You end things before you are at risk of greater emotional harm. You may not want to "have to" feel something, physically or emotionally.

I don't know if your inability to trust persons of either sex is significant, or the result of your sexual incompatibility with one gender or the other. We can see why you may not trust men, but why don't you trust women? Do you have long term platonic relationships with men and women? While not written in stone for many women, what is your sexual orientation, do you have one?

You don't mention whether you have tried masturbating to orgasm, perhaps with a vibrator.

I recommend contacting a sexual abuse support group in your local community, or online, as they will be able to help you find professional help, if it is required. Be careful of who you disclose details too, especially online.

I don't recommend engaging in sex with anyone until you can enter into a long term relationship and feel comfortable doing so. Casual sex doesn't appear to be an option for you, and would likely result in undesired consequences. Work on being friends.

 

Question: Hi! Me and my boyfriend and I have recently become sexually active in our relationship. My boyfriend recently had a night home alone and I joined him. He's fingered me before and did it again last night, but I noticed when I got home that I had a brownish(?) discharge. I can't be sure if it happened last time because I don't remember, but I was wondering what this is and if it's normal?

Answer: I'm not a doctor so I can only provide general information, not a medical diagnosis.

If it was rust colored, I would presume it is old blood, versus fresh blood that would be red in color. Kind of like at the end of your menstrual period, versus the beginning.

Minor injuries to the vulva, hymen, and vagina aren't uncommon, especially for couples exploring sex for the first time. Since there are so many blood vessels in the area, a small cut or scrap may produce significant blood flow, or the presence of vaginal lubrication and/or sweat may make it look like there is a lot of blood. The Q&A section makes mention of these types of injuries.

qa_index_pain.htm

If the brownish discharge has continued, please consult a doctor.