Ladies! Are you aware that there are different types of vaginas? Did you know, for example, that it is self-cleaning? Or that there are different female genitals? Yes, that’s right! Our vaginas are just like us: unique, and no two vaginas look the same.
You might even be surprised to learn that there are five different types of vaginas! This information comes from an experienced bikini waxer. She’s the best person to ask the question, “What does a normal vagina look like?”
Before you read how you can tell them apart, we want you to stop wondering, “Is my vagina normal?” This article is all about debunking the stereotypical “normal” vagina. Just like everything in this world, a woman’s vagina is uniquely hers!
5 Types of Vaginas: How to Identify Them According to a Bikini Waxer
Mel is a former bikini waxer. She has seen hundreds of vaginas throughout her career and has determined five different overall vagina shapes.
Throughout her career, she encountered women with different types of vaginas. With this, she knows for sure that no woman develops similar-looking genitals.
She says that “all women fall under in one way or the other” but not everyone will fit perfectly into a certain category. According to Mel,
“This isn’t a mathematic algorithm. This is just to help women understand this weird ‘secret’ [the appearance of our vaginas] we keep from our friends and society at large is not as scandalous or peculiar as we may have thought.”
These are the five types of vaginas named by Mel: Ms Barbie, Ms Puffs, Ms Curtains, Ms Horseshoe, and Ms Tulip.
Her fun shape names, however, focus on the outer appearance as a whole (the vulva included, that surrounds the vaginal opening) and not the actual vagina. They include the labia majora (think pouty outer lips) and the labia minora (think smaller inner lips).
5 Types of Vaginas: Which One Do You Have?
Below, we featured illustrations of the types of vaginas described by Mel. The illustrations show a rough image of what each kind looks like.
However, each type looks entirely different in person. Because of this, we discourage our readers from expecting exact features in their bodies. Just take note of the basic features mentioned by Mel.
Ms Barbie
Illustration by TheAsianparent
The “tidy” Ms Barbie is the rarest vaginal type — also the appearance that most people think a classic vagina looks like, but the waxer says it’s not. With everything tucked in, it is where the labia minora is completely hidden from view within the labia majora.
Many celebrities have expressed their desire for getting designer vaginas that look like this one.
Ms Puffs
Illustration by TheAsianparent
Ms Puffs is similar to Ms Barbie except that it extends longer; the lips of the vagina sit lower on the pubic bone. The labia minora is still hidden from view within the labia majora and the lips could be “either full and puffed up or thin and loose”.
Ladies, if you’re wondering about the way your lips hang, it has little to do with your age or weight, so you can stop stressing now.
Ms Curtains
Illustration by TheAsianparent
Ms Curtains is the vaginal type that Mel noticed in most women. It is where the labia minora extends past the labia majora, peeking out either a little or a lot at the bottom.
This commonly-seen vagina may not be entirely symmetrical and has characteristics that are seen in other types as well.
Ms Horseshoe
Illustration by TheAsianparent
Women with the Ms Horseshoe have a vagina opening that looks wider at the top, where the labia minora is slightly revealed and may be seen.
But the labia majora closes at the bottom to stop the labia minora from extending below, such that it resembles the shape of a horseshoe.
Ms Tulip
Illustration by TheAsianparent
The name speaks for itself: Ms Tulip resembles a flower that’s about to bloom. The labia minora is slightly exposed throughout the entire length of the labia majora.
What’s the difference between M. Tulip and Ms Curtains? The inner lips for Ms Tulips are both exposed yet contained — a more neat and tucked-in version than Ms Curtains.
Various Types of Vaginas: Love Me as I Am?
Women shouldn’t need to ask ” Is my vagina normal?” They also shouldn’t have to feel ashamed of their female bits.
“It shares a sisterhood with all other vaginas, and nobody should feel strange or abnormal,” Mel said.
Every vagina is different and like people, they come in all shapes and sizes. You just can’t choose which vagina you want to be born with.
“Just because you haven’t met your sister vagina yet, doesn’t mean she isn’t out there,” Mel added.
Besides, your vagina is perfect. She concluded with a sense of humour and said: “It’s just like a curtain. You wouldn’t hate your house if it had ugly curtains.”
Mel essentially hopes that conversation about the vagina can become “normalised” and part of a healthy discussion about overall feminine health.
Tips for Keeping Your Vagina Looking Good and Healthy
Did you know that the vagina is designed to keep itself clean through natural secretions? And you don’t need to use any kind of soap.
What you can start doing:
- Keep it clean.
- Ensure a natural PH balance by avoiding perfumed soaps, gels and antiseptics.
- Eat healthy food. Having a healthy diet and exercise helps! Fruits and vegetables are great.
- During your period, wash your lady parts more than once a day (a normal bathing routine is fine).
- Avoid vaginal douches as they could lead to many health problems — STOP immediately if you’re doing so.
- Avoid scented wipes and vaginal deodorants. (Visit your GP if your notice an unpleasant smell.)
- Let your lady parts BREATHE. Use cotton underwear if you can. Avoid underwear that is too tight.
- Cooler temperatures can be great. Sleeping naked is an option.
Fun fact: It helps to keep your vagina’s pH level steady during sex — all the good bacteria in there can stay healthy, according to a 2013 study in the journal PLoS One.
- Be careful when on the bicycle. Frequent riders face higher risks of genital numbness, pain, and tingling (not in a good way).
- Don’t overuse antibiotics.
So now ladies, you’re better equipped with knowledge about the different types of vaginas, remember that no matter what kind of vagina you have, you’re amazingly beautiful! If ever in doubt, just remember you pushed out a small human through your vagina!
Moreover, most doctors discourage women from purchasing strongly-scented feminine wash. The strong smell from these seemingly-mild soaps often stops your genitals from naturally cleansing. Because of this, rinsing with warm water works best.
Don’t Be Alarmed About Your Long Labia
So, what does it mean when your labia minora is long? Well, having long labia is also called Labial hypertrophy.
Despite the intimidating tone of its medical term, fret not. It only describes the enlargement of that area in your body. Some women naturally develop the condition as they grow up. Individual genitalia differs greatly in size and shape.
If the enlargement still raises concern, we suggest you visit your doctor. Take their word for it. With this, you may know if there are present issues with your Labial hypertrophy.
This article was updated by Kaira De la Rosa.