A Guide to the The Female Anatomy

12 min read
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Female reproductive anatomy includes the vulva on the outside and structures such as the vagina, cervix, uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes inside the body. Each has a different role in periods, sex, fertility and pregnancy.

People of any gender can have these structures, and not everyone has all of them. Anatomy also varies naturally from person to person. This guide explains the main parts of the reproductive system and what they do in plain language.

Key takeaways

  • The vulva is the external genital area you can see. The vagina is the internal canal leading to the cervix.
  • Urine leaves the body through the urethra. Menstrual fluid leaves through the vagina. These are separate openings.
  • The ovaries produce hormones and release eggs, while the uterus builds a lining that is shed as a period when pregnancy doesn't occur.
  • Anatomy, cycle length and the timing of ovulation vary from person to person.
  • Pain, unexplained bleeding or changes that concern you are worth discussing with a healthcare professional.

Contents

What's the difference between the vulva and the vagina?

The vulva is the external part of the genitals. It includes the labia, clitoris and the openings of the urethra and vagina.

The vagina is the stretchy internal canal that connects the vaginal opening to the cervix.

People often use the word “vagina” to describe the whole genital area, but anatomically the vulva and vagina are different parts of the body.

External anatomy: the vulva

The vulva includes several structures, all of which vary naturally in shape, colour and size.

  • Mons pubis: the padded area over the pubic bone where pubic hair commonly grows after puberty.
  • Labia majora: the outer folds of skin that surround and protect the other external structures.
  • Labia minora: the inner folds of skin around the vaginal and urethral openings. They may sit inside the outer labia or extend beyond them.
  • Clitoris: an organ with many sensitive nerve endings. The visible part is only a small portion of the clitoris. Much of the structure extends inside the body and fills with blood during sexual arousal.
  • Vestibule: the area between the labia minora containing the urethral and vaginal openings.
  • Urethral opening: the opening where urine leaves the body. It is separate from the vagina.
  • Vaginal opening: the entrance to the vagina. Menstrual fluid leaves the body through this opening.
  • Perineum: the area between the vaginal opening and anus. Its muscles and connective tissues sit alongside the pelvic floor.
Female Anatomy Vulva

Labia differ considerably from person to person. Inner labia may be small and mostly covered by the outer labia or may extend well beyond them, and one side may look different from the other.

If you're wondering whether your own anatomy is typical, read Is my vagina normal? Myths, facts and essential information.

Internal reproductive anatomy

The main internal structures include the vagina, cervix, uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes.

Vagina

The vagina is a stretchy, muscular canal leading from the cervix to the outside of the body. Menstrual fluid leaves the body through the vagina, and it is the passage a baby travels through during a vaginal birth.

It is also where internal period products such as tampons, menstrual cups, menstrual discs and menstrual sponges are placed.

Western Australian health information describes the vagina as about 9 cm long, although its length and shape vary and the vaginal canal can stretch.

The vagina and cervix produce discharge made up of cells, mucus, bacteria and fluid. Some discharge is normal and helps keep the vagina moist. Its amount and consistency can also change during the menstrual cycle.

Learn more in Vaginal discharge: what is normal and how does it change?

What is the hymen?

Just inside the vaginal opening is tissue commonly called the hymen, sometimes referred to as the vaginal corona. Rather than being a membrane that seals the vaginal opening, the hymen is usually made up of thin, stretchy folds of tissue around part of the opening.

Hymenal tissue varies between people and changes naturally as a person grows. Using a tampon or menstrual cup doesn't provide any information about whether someone has had sex.

Read more about using a menstrual cup before first sex.

Cervix

The cervix is the lower part of the uterus. It connects the uterus with the vagina and contains a small passage called the cervical canal. Menstrual fluid passes from the uterus through the cervix before leaving the body through the vagina.

The cervix also produces mucus. Around the fertile part of the menstrual cycle, cervical mucus may become clearer, stretchier and more slippery.

Cervix height varies between people and can also change throughout the menstrual cycle. This can matter when choosing menstrual cups and other internal period products because the amount of vaginal space available can affect product fit.

Our guide to measuring your cervical position explains how to find your cervix and why its height matters, while the Menstrual Products Comparison Hub can help you compare different period care options.

The cervix is also the part of the body sampled during cervical screening. You can read more about self-collected cervical screening.

Uterus

The uterus, sometimes called the womb, is a hollow, muscular organ that sits in the pelvis.

It has three main layers:

  • Endometrium: the inner lining that changes throughout the menstrual cycle.
  • Myometrium: the thick muscular middle layer.
  • Perimetrium: the thin outer covering of the uterus.

During the menstrual cycle, the endometrium thickens in preparation for a possible pregnancy. If pregnancy doesn't occur, much of this lining breaks down and leaves the body as a period.

If a fertilised egg implants in the uterus, the uterus supports pregnancy and expands considerably as the pregnancy develops.

The uterus doesn't sit at exactly the same angle in everybody. Some people have a uterus that tilts forwards while others have one that tilts backwards. A tilted uterus is usually simply an anatomical variation. Read more in Tilted uterus: types, causes and treatments.

Ovaries

Most people are born with two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. They are small organs, often described as being around the size and shape of an almond.

The ovaries contain immature egg cells and produce reproductive hormones including oestrogen and progesterone.

During a menstrual cycle that includes ovulation, an egg is released from an ovary. Ovulation doesn't necessarily occur in every cycle and its timing varies.

Fallopian tubes

The fallopian tubes extend from either side of the uterus towards the ovaries. Despite how anatomy diagrams sometimes appear, the tubes are not physically attached to the ovaries.

The open end of each tube sits close to an ovary and has soft, finger-like projections called fimbriae that help guide a released egg into the tube.

Fertilisation most commonly occurs in a fallopian tube. If fertilisation happens, the developing embryo travels towards the uterus, where it may implant.

Female Internal Anatomy Organs (Vagina)

How does the menstrual cycle work?

The menstrual cycle is a series of hormone-driven changes involving the ovaries and the lining of the uterus. It is counted from the first day of one period to the first day of the next.

While 28 days is often described as the “average” cycle, adult menstrual cycles commonly range from around 21 to 35 days. Cycle length can also vary from month to month and periods are often irregular during the first years after they begin.

The cycle can be described in four overlapping stages:

  1. Menstruation: the uterine lining breaks down and menstrual fluid leaves the uterus through the cervix and vagina. The first day of bleeding is counted as day 1 of the cycle.
  2. Follicular phase: follicles containing immature eggs develop in the ovaries under the influence of hormones while the uterine lining begins rebuilding.
  3. Ovulation: in a cycle where ovulation occurs, an egg is released from an ovary, usually following a rise in luteinising hormone (LH). The exact timing varies.
  4. Luteal phase: after ovulation, the emptied follicle becomes the corpus luteum and produces progesterone. If pregnancy doesn't occur, hormone levels eventually fall and another period begins.

For a more detailed explanation, read our comprehensive guide to the menstrual cycle.

Which hormones are involved?

Several hormones work together to regulate the menstrual cycle and reproductive system.

  • Oestrogen: a group of hormones involved in reproductive development, the menstrual cycle, vaginal and urinary tissues and bone health.
  • Progesterone: rises after ovulation and helps prepare and maintain the uterine lining for a possible pregnancy.
  • Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): produced by the pituitary gland and involved in the development of ovarian follicles.
  • Luteinising hormone (LH): also produced by the pituitary gland. A rise or surge in LH helps trigger ovulation.

These hormones don't only affect periods and fertility. Changing hormone levels can also influence bones, vaginal tissue, discharge and other parts of the body.

Puberty, perimenopause and menopause

The reproductive system changes throughout life.

Puberty and first periods

Periods most commonly begin around age 12 or 13, although timing varies. Early cycles are often irregular while the hormonal systems that control ovulation and menstruation mature.

If you're supporting someone approaching their first period, see Everything you need to know about getting your period.

Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause. During this time, changing levels of hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone can cause periods to become less predictable and may also affect vaginal, urinary and pelvic health.

Read more in Vaginal health in perimenopause: what to expect.

Menopause

Menopause is reached after 12 consecutive months without a period when there is no other cause for the periods stopping. In Australia, menopause most commonly occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, with an average age of about 51.

Menopause can also happen earlier or occur suddenly following some surgeries or medical treatments.

Although periods stop after menopause, sexual, vaginal, urinary and pelvic health continue to matter. Read our comprehensive guide to menopause for more information.

How anatomy varies and when to seek advice

There isn't one appearance, size or measurement that describes everybody's reproductive anatomy.

Labia differ in size and shape, cervix height varies, vaginal length varies and the uterus can sit at different angles. Anatomy can also change with age, pregnancy, childbirth, surgery and some health conditions.

A difference doesn't automatically mean something is wrong.

It is worth seeing a GP or other qualified healthcare professional if you experience:

  • persistent or severe pain in the lower abdomen, pelvis, back or upper thighs
  • painful, unusually heavy or very irregular periods
  • periods that last longer than about 8 days or are regularly more than 2 to 3 months apart
  • bleeding between periods
  • pain or bleeding during or after sex
  • vaginal discharge that changes significantly from what is normal for you, particularly if it smells unpleasant, is green or yellow, or occurs with pain or itching
  • persistent vulval itching, sores, blisters or other changes that concern you

Any vaginal bleeding after menopause should also be checked by a doctor.

Seek urgent medical care for very heavy bleeding with dizziness, weakness or fainting, or for severe or sudden pelvic pain, particularly if there is a possibility of pregnancy. Call triple zero (000) in an emergency.

If you're not sure how to start a conversation about a vaginal or pelvic health concern, read How to talk to a doctor about vaginal concerns.

This guide provides general information and can't tell you whether a particular symptom or anatomical difference is healthy for you.

Frequently asked questions

Can tampons or menstrual cups break the hymen?

The idea that the hymen is a membrane that is “broken” by a tampon, menstrual cup or first sex isn't anatomically accurate. Hymenal tissue is usually made up of thin, stretchy folds around part of the vaginal opening and naturally varies in shape and size. It can stretch and change over time, and its appearance cannot show whether someone has had sex.

How long is the vagina?

Western Australian health information describes the vagina as about 9 cm long, but vaginal length varies between people. It is made from flexible muscular tissue and can stretch considerably.

Is it normal for labia to look different from each other?

Yes. Labia vary naturally in size, shape, colour and symmetry. The inner labia may be mostly covered by the outer labia or may extend beyond them, and one side can be larger or shaped differently from the other.

Does ovulation happen in every menstrual cycle?

No. Not every menstrual cycle includes ovulation, and the timing of ovulation can vary. If your cycles become very irregular, your periods stop unexpectedly or you're concerned about ovulation or fertility, speak with a healthcare professional.

Is the vagina where urine comes from?

No. Urine leaves the body through the urethra, which has its own opening in the vulva. Menstrual fluid leaves through the vaginal opening. They are separate openings.

Keep learning

Understanding your anatomy can make it easier to choose period and pelvic health products, recognise changes in your body and describe concerns to a healthcare professional.

To keep exploring, browse our Period Care and Pelvic Health Guides.

Sources and further reading

This article provides general educational information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional if you have concerns about your reproductive, menstrual or pelvic health.