Just The Facts about Sexually Transmitted Infections

Genital anatomy and health


On this page we look at 'sex anatomy' and genital health. It's important to remember that all genitals are different, and while some people's genitals might align with the presentations below, human beings and our bodies are diverse - so there will always be natural variations with all parts of our bodies.

Vulva / Werewere

As we like to tell anyone who will listen, the proper name for the external female genitalia is the vulva/werewere.  

All vulvas are different!

Check out The Truth Undressed for diverse vulvas in all their glory. 

The vulva & vagina

Vagina/Tara

The vagina is the tube that leads from the pututana tara (vaginal opening) to the uterus.

The hymen

The hymen is a collar of tissue attached to the vaginal wall just inside the vaginal opening - it's not a 'seal' across the vagina. Read more here.

Penis / Ure

The penis consists of the shaft, glans (head) and foreskin (unless someone has been circumcised, which is where the foreskin is removed). The tube inside the penis is called the urethra, which carries urine from the bladder to outside the body.

All penises are different!

Just like other body parts, all penises are naturally diverse. Media including porn tries to tell us that having a large penis is the most desirable - but it's important to challenge this and remember that all bodies are good bodies.

The penis and testes

Hygiene

Wash every day to keep the penis clean. If the foreskin hasn’t been removed, then it is a good idea to gently roll it back to clean the area underneath.

Erections

An erection is when the blood vessels in the penis fill rapidly with blood, causing the penis to swell and harden. Ejaculation is when semen (sperm cells + seminal fluid) is released from the end of the penis.

Understanding genital health

  • Signs of infection in people with a penis

    If you notice any of the following symptoms, it could be the sign of an infection:

    • any discharge from your penis
    • pain in your testicles
    • pain when passing urine
    • itching or burning or pain around your genitals
    • blisters, sores, spots or lumps around your genitals.

    Contact your doctor or local sexual health clinic for a check-up.

  • What's discharge (in people with a vagina)?

    Following puberty, it is normal to have a milky white discharge without any smell from the vagina. Discharge is really important: it helps keep the vagina clean! Discharge is white or clear, and people normally notice it on their underwear.


    This discharge is due to the hormone oestrogen, and bacteria that are normally present in the vagina. The amount of discharge varies from person to person, and can change according to different stages of the menstrual cycle.

  • What's abnormal discharge?

    Any change to the colour, smell, amount or texture of this discharge could mean something is going on inside your vagina and could be an infection, especially if you have had unprotected sex. However, you don’t need to have had sex to have abnormal discharge.


    Abnormal vaginal discharge may:

    • be an increased amount of discharge
    • have an unpleasant smell
    • be a yellow or green colour
    • be accompanied by itching, irritation or swelling and pain (in the vulva or vagina).

    Abnormal vaginal discharge can be caused by lots of things, such as an STI, an allergy to latex condoms or irritation of the vulva and vagina e.g. through wearing tight clothing. If you have an abnormal vaginal discharge, go and see your nurse, doctor or sexual health clinic to get it sorted out.

  • What's a normal period?

    Periods vary from person to person. They usually last for three to seven days every month. Some people have light bleeding, while others experience heavy bleeding for a day or two, which then becomes lighter.


    Particularly when you're a teenager, the interval between periods can be quite irregular. Various things can cause changes to your period pattern, including stress, change in weight and some forms of contraception. If you're worried about your periods, speak to your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider.

  • Period pains

    Lots of people who menstruate get period pains, which is normal particularly on the first and second day of your period. However, if period pains are interfering with your day-to-day life, if the pain is severe or if it doesn't go away with standard pain relief (e.g. paracetamol), speak to your healthcare provider. 


    Sometimes, period or pelvic pain can be caused by an underlying medical condition such as endometriosis. Read more about this here and speak to your healthcare provider if you're worried.

  • What's abnormal vaginal bleeding?

    Examples of unusual vaginal bleeding include:

    • excessively heavy periods (with a lot of blood and over more than just a couple of days)
    • clotted blood (blood in thick clumps)
    • irregular and unpredictable bleeding (happens all of a sudden and not at the expected time of the next period)
    • bleeding between periods (including spotting of small amounts of blood)
    • bleeding after sex.

    Causes of abnormal bleeding could be:

    • a sexually transmitted infection, such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea;
    • muscular growth in the wall of the uterus (uterine fibroid);
    • hormonal disturbance.

    Abnormal bleeding may cause problems later in life if left untreated, so go and see your nurse, doctor or sexual health clinic to get it checked out.

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