Let’s talk about how to clean your child’s vagina and vulva, as we get a lot of questions about it in my free Facebook sex education group for parents, that parent group. The information in this Guide is relevant for children of all ages, from babies to teens.
Quick Index
- Can you use soap?
- Can you use baby wipes?
- Do I have to wipe front to back?
- Do I have to clean inside the vagina? Or douche?
- What about feminine wash and sprays? Or deodorant?
- Can I use scented or perfumed products?
- How often should you wash their vulva?
- Babies and toddlers
- Children (before puberty)
- Children (during and after puberty)
There are no photographs of vulvas in this post, only illustrations.
The reproductive system
Before I start talking about how to clean vulvas in children, I just want to give you a refresher on the reproductive system. As the vulva and vagina are a part of the reproductive system.
Everyone has a reproductive system and the sole purpose of the reproductive system is to reproduce ie make babies.
There is the female reproductive system that is made up of internal parts (organs inside the body) and external parts (genitals outside the body).
The internal organs are the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the uterus, the cerivix and the vagina. The genitals are the vulva.
Let’s talk about the different organs and what they are for.
Bladder: A stretchy bag that holds the urine (pee) before it comes out of the body. The urine leaves the bladder through a small tube called the urethra. People with a penis also have a bladder.
Cervix: The opening of the uterus that joins it with the vagina. You can find it deep inside, at the very top of your vagina.
Fallopian tubes: Special tubes, like cooked spaghetti, that carry the egg from the ovaries to the uterus.
Ovaries: Special organs that produce the eggs or ova. They are about the size of a grape.
Rectum: A tube that is used to store feces (poo) before it is pushed out through the anus. People with a penis also have a rectum.
Uterus: A bag made of muscle that is about the size of a pear. It is the place where a baby can grow and stretches bigger as the baby does so.
Urethra: A narrow tube that leaves from the bladder and comes out of a small opening in the vulva. People with a penis also have a urethra.
Vagina: A stretchy tube that goes from the uterus to the outside of the body. It is the opening that you can feel at the bottom of the vulva.
There is the male reproductive system that is made up of internal parts (organs inside the body) and external parts (genitals outside the body).
The internal organs are the testes (or testicle), the epididymis, the vas deferens, the seminal vesicles, the prostate gland, the cowper’s gland and the urethra.
The genitals are the penis and the scrotum (which holds the testicles).
Anatomy of the vulva
Let’s have a refresher of the anatomy of the vulva, as their quite a few different parts.
The vulva is the name for the outer area of the genitals, and it includes the mons pubis, the labia majora, the labia minora, the vaginal opening, the urethral opening, the clitoris and the clitoral hood.
So just like your face is made up of smaller parts (like a nose, mouth, ears), the vulva is also made up of smaller parts (like a clitoris and labia).
And while we are talking about faces, all vulvas will look different to each other. Just like our faces look different and are unique.
Vulvas are all made up of the same parts, but they will just look different from each other. They come in all different shapes, sizes and colours.
Let’s talk about the different parts of the vulva.
Clitoris: A part that is behind the vulva and wraps around the vagina. The smallest part, about the size of a pea, can be seen outside the body, hidden under a small bump of skin, just above the urethra where the pee comes out. It can feel good when you touch it.
Mons pubis: The soft rounded area that sits above the pubic bone. Eventually, it will be covered in pubic hair.
Urethral opening: The small opening in the vulva where the urethra comes out of the body. It can be found between the clitoris and the vagina. People with a penis also have a urethral opening.
Vagina: A stretchy tube that goes from the uterus to the outside of the body. It is the opening that you can feel towards the bottom of the vulva.
If you’re unsure about what names to use, then this blogpost about naming the private parts can help. And you can also find some child-friendly diagrams and a parent guide for talking about genitals.
During puberty, these parts of the bopdy start to change as the sex hormones mature them and make them fertile and ready for sexual intercourse. Colours, size and texture can change, as well as the growth of hair.
Smegma
Smegma is a thick, white substance found on all genitals. In vulvas as well as penises. It is found in both child and adult bodies, but the body will start to make more of it during puberty.
In the vulva, smegma is usually found between the folds of the labia or around the clitoral hood.
It can be white or yellow in colour and is made up of a combination of oils from your sebaceous (oil) glands, dead skin cells, sweat and other fluids. It has an unpleasant smell that becomes stronger over time if it isn’t frequently washed away. So if you wiped your finger over the smegma, you would be able to smell it. Other people won’t be able to smell your smegma.
The oils in smegma help keep the skin around the vulva moist. Smegma acts as a natural lubricant for the body and it decreases friction as we walk helping to keep your vulva healthy.
In summary, smegma is one of those things that is natural. As long as you wash it off every time you wash your body, it won’t be a problem.
Vaginal discharge
I want to talk about vaginal discharge as it is something that can alarm children when they first notice it. They might think they are peeing themselves during the day, and can sometimes even feel it leaving their vagina. Or they might notice white stuff on their underwear that they’ve never seen before. For some children, this can be quite stressful.
Vaginal discharge isn’t easy to write about because it depends on whether puberty has started or not. Before puberty, some children may notice vaginal discharge from as young as four years of age (not all children will notice vaginal discharge until before puberty, it depends on how observant your child is of their own body). Most children will become aware of vaginal discharge as puberty starts. It changes at this time in their life as the hormones of puberty are changing your child’s reproductive system and getting ready for periods.
How do you know whether puberty has started (or not)? Well, it’s different for everyone. Puberty usually begins around the age of nine or ten. It can be as early as eight (yes, that early) or as late as 15 years. I have a blogpost about the 5 stages of puberty in girls, so have a read of that as it clearly outlines what changes to look out for, and in what order. According to the Tanner Scale (which is the universal guide to the changes of puberty) vaginal discharge won’t happen until Stage 3 and you’ll already be noticing changes in their body (breast budding and the start of pubic and/or armpit hair).
Now, this isn’t a lot of research or information available on vaginal discharge in children. So some of the information I am sharing here is from my own 25+ years of clinical experience as well as from what parents share with me in my free Facebook sex education group for parents, that parent group.
What is vaginal discharge?
Vaginal discharge is a fluid that comes from the vagina. Your child might find it on the crutch of their underwear, on toilet paper when wiping their vulva or feel dried bits in when washing their vulva in the shower or bath.
Vaginal discharge is a natural and healthy part of the body.
Do children have vaginal discharge?
Yes, children can have vaginal discharge.
At the start of puberty, their vaginal discharge will change as their reproductive system changes to get ready for periods. The discharge at this time will change because of the influence of hormones.
Before puberty, some children might mention that sometimes they feel wet down there. Some kids worry when this first happens as they think that they may have wet themselves, or that there is something wrong with them. So when this happens, it is a good idea to first of all exclude that it isn’t urinary incontinence. It’s uncommon but it isn’t unheard of so the best approach is to see your family doctor.
Sometimes vaginal discharge can be problematic in children. In young children, the skin around the vulva is thinner and is more easily irritated. Occasional itching around the vulval area is also common. If ever their skin is irritated and painful, try the suggestions in this Vulval Skin Care for Children Fact Sheet from The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne (Australia) as it could be Vulvovaginitis.
When should I worry about their vaginal discharge?
My favourite Guideline for anything to do with genitals and kids is The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, in Australia. So I will share their recommendations.
You should see your family doctor if your child has:
- pain or burning when urinating (passing urine or peeing)
- bleeding or discharge from the vaginal area
- fever or abdominal pain
Why does my child have vaginal discharge?
Vaginal discharge is nature’s way of keeping their vagina clean and healthy. It shows that it is working properly.
A nice way to explain it is to talk about another part of the body that keeps itself clean, like their ears. Just like the inside of your ear produces ear wax to keep itself clean and healthy, the vagina produces its own discharge to keep itself clean and healthy too. Some people will only have a little bit of ear wax whereas other people will have lots of ear wax.
What is vaginal discharge made of?
Vaginal discharge is a mixture of liquid, cells, and bacteria that lubricate and protect the vagina. It is made by the cells of the vagina and cervix, and it leaves the body through the vaginal opening.
What colour is vaginal discharge?
Vaginal discharge can range in colour from clear to white to off-white. So if there’s ever a change in the colour, amount and texture of their discharge, or you are concerned about it, the best approach is to see your family doctor.
Does vaginal discharge smell?
Vaginal discharge doesn’t have a strong smell and the smell can change at different times of the month during your menstrual cycle. If it does get smelly or the smell changes, then the best approach is to see your family doctor.
Why does it smell down there?
Puberty is a time when the sweat glands start to function for the first time. And some of those sweat glands are in the vulva.
During puberty, it is very normal for their vulva to smell a little bit musty, like sweat, or even a bit metallic if it’s around the time of their period. Everyone’s scent is different and it will change throughout their menstrual cycle. This is completely normal and it’s a sign that the good bacteria in their vulva and vagina are doing their job. If the smell is ever strong or they are concerned about it, the best approach is to see your family doctor.
During warm or hot weather or if they’ve been exercising, the smell will be stronger down there because of sweat. The vulva has a lot of sweat glands on the labia majora, the mons pubis and the groin (where your legs join your pelvis). The sweat smells because of the bacteria that is naturally in this part of the body.
How much discharge is normal?
Now, this isn’t an easy question to answer, as there isn’t a lot of research or information available on vaginal discharge in children. So some of the information I am sharing here is from my own clinical experiences as well as from the information that parents share with me. But we do know that the amount of vaginal discharge is different for everyone. And it changes once puberty starts because of their menstrual cycle and the hormones of puberty.
Before puberty, some children will have enough vaginal discharge to moisten their underwear, whereas others may just notice white powdery discharge on their underwear. It is uncommon for them to need to change their underwear or to need a pantiliner. And if they did, it could be because they have an infection or it may be a signal that puberty is on its way. So my recommendation is to book an appointment with your family doctor.
Between 3 months to 3 years before their first period, their vaginal discharge will change again because of their hormones. Some people won’t have much at all, or they will only notice it at certain times in their menstrual cycle. Whereas some people will have lots of vaginal discharge. They may even need to wear period pants or a pantiliner to keep their underwear dry.
Why is there sometimes more vaginal discharge?
If puberty hasn’t started, the amount of vaginal discharge won’t vary. Sometimes children will notice it and sometimes they won’t, and if it ever changes then you should have a read of this Fact Sheet from The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne (Australia) and maybe see your family doctor.
If puberty has started, the amount of vaginal discharge will change depending on which phase of the menstrual cycle they are in. So some days there will be more of it and other days there will be less.
Once periods start, vaginal discharge will change because of changing hormone levels. The colour, texture, and amount of vaginal discharge will change at different times of the month during their menstrual cycle. The hormones estrogen and progesterone are responsible for these changes. If your child pays enough attention to their discharge, it can tell them where they are in your menstrual cycle.
Why does vaginal discharge change?
If puberty has started, it’s normal for the colour, texture and amount of vaginal discharge to change, and this is because of your hormones or the menstrual cycle.
Some changes, though may mean that there’s a problem with your vaginal discharge. So if it ever there’s a change in the colour, amount and texture of your discharge, or you are concerned about it, the best approach is to see your family doctor. This Fact Sheet on vulval skin care for teens (from The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne Australia) has more information and is worth a read.
How does vaginal discharge change?
At the end of your period, your vaginal discharge is usually dry or pasty before changing to a creamier texture (like hand cream which is thicker than moisturiser). As you reach ovulation, your discharge will become wet, stretchy and slippery (like raw egg white). After ovulation, your vaginal discharge will go back to being thick and dry (like semi-dried toothpaste). Your pattern of vaginal discharge may be different, especially if your menstrual cycle isn’t regular.
What can you do about vaginal discharge?
It isn’t uncommon for children to struggle with vaginal discharge. It is something new for them, and they aren’t used to the sensation of feeling wet.
Try reminding them that vaginal discharge is a completely natural thing that shows that their body is working properly. Over time they will get more used to it, but because they’ve never had this type of thing happen to their body before, it might take a while to get used to it. Reassure them that they aren’t the only person with vaginal discharge. Every single person with a vagina will also have discharge.
If their underwear begins to feel wet, they can wear period pants as they will absorb any moisture or they can wear a panty liner.
How do you wash a vulva?
Before writing this section, I did a quick search on Google and much to my surprise, I learnt that there are at least 30,000 searches a month on how to clean a vagina! And in case you are wondering, I also searched for how to clean a vulva and it only had 800 searches a month! I don’t know if this is because so many people still don’t use the word ‘vulva’, or if it’s because they are douching. I’ll let you figure that one out!
As your child grows older, you’ll need to teach them to look after their own vulva. This lesson becomes even more important during puberty, when personal hygiene becomes vital as their body begins to change and grow. Puberty also tends to be the age that things start to get smelly!
It’s important to wash your vulva regularly with warm water or mild soap, but you should never scrub or use a douche (wash out the inside of your vagina) or antibacterial wash. This wrecks the pH balance that keeps your vagina healthy and it makes you susceptible to lots of nasties.
Can you use soap?
In regards to soap, that’s up to you.
Some people believe that you shouldn’t use soap at all when washing the sensitive skin of the genitals.
Too much soap and excessive cleaning removes essential body oils that normally keep our skin moist and reduce friction. And when it is left on the skin, it can cause skin irritation.
Whereas others say that it is okay to use soap, as long as it is properly rinsed away. If you do use soap, try to use one that is more natural – with less perfumes and additives in it. Generally, too much soap is worse than none at all. So if you use soap, use it sparingly.
As always, do your own research so you can make an informed decision about whether to use soap or not.
Can you use baby wipes?
In regards to baby wipes, again… it’s up to you!
Some people will use them and some people won’t. If you do use them, try to find sensitive, fragrance-free baby wipes. You can even buy natural, chemical-free baby wipes.
If you decide to use baby wipes on your child’s vulva, you may want to first check that it won’t irritate her skin. You can do this on her leg or arm, and if there is no reaction in 24 hours, then you should be safe to use it on the delicate skin of the vulva.
Do I have to wipe front to back?
A common question from parents is whether you have to wipe the vulva from the front to back.
The short answer is yes, it’s a good idea to make a habit of starting at the front and gently wiping backward towards their bottom.
Why? Because if you don’t there’s a greater chance of transferring bacteria to the urethra, which can then cause a urinary tract infection (UTI).
As your child becomes independent with their toileting, you will also need to teach them to wipe front to back. You’ll also need to keep reminding them until it’s become a habit.
Do I have to clean inside the vagina? Or douche?
No, you don’t have to clean inside the vagina. It is important to not use vaginal deodorants or douches. They can upset the natural chemical balance of your baby’s vagina and increase the risk of infection.
Do a Google search on ‘douching’ and you will find hundreds of thousands of pages that talk about why you shouldn’t douche your vagina. It just isn’t healthy for it.
Vulvas are supposed to have an odour, and they are supposed to have bacteria as the bacteria help to keep their vagina healthy. Douching (as well as using feminine washes and sprays) destroys the natural bacteria, which isn’t a good thing.
Let me explain!
I like to think of the vulva and vagina as a battleground for body bacteria. You have the good bacteria and the bad bacteria. These bacteria are constantly battling each other, and most of the time the good bacteria are winning and they stop the bad bacteria from taking over and being dominant.
Douching changes the battlefield. It weakens and destroys the good bacteria, which allows the bad bacteria to grow stronger and multiply and take over the battlefield. And when this happens you’ll have a change in vaginal odour (stronger and pongey) and your discharge. You might even get itchy and sore down there as well.
That’s also why we have a slight smell from our vulva, as it indicates that the good bacteria is doing its job. And this is a good thing!
So douching is a big ‘no-no’ as it upsets the natural balance of bacteria in your vulva, and we need good bacteria to keep our genitals healthy.
And now I’ll jump down from my soapbox! 😉
What about feminine wash and sprays? Or deodorant?
Most supermarkets and pharmacies will sell special washes and sprays to reduce smells and to clean the vagina. You don’t need them and they can be irritating to the delicate skin of the vulva and vagina. Plus they destroy your natural bacteria (as I explained when I talked about douching above).
You might be wondering why vaginal washes and vaginal sprays are still being marketed and sold to women. It all comes down to money. The producers of these products know that many women are insecure about vaginal odour and they take advantage of this by telling them their products will get rid of that smell. It’s unethical and harmful.
Can I use scented or perfumed products?
You should avoid using anything with a scent or perfume on your vulva. Scented products can irritate the sensitive skin in the vagina and the vulva, whether they’re soaps, washes, or sprays. Scented products (including scented pads and tampons) assist to destroy the good bacteria (which lets the bad bacteria win) and they also destroy your vaginal pH balance which affects the health of your genitals.
So you shouldn’t be using scented or perfumed products on or near your genitals.
How often should you wash their vulva?
How often you wash a vulva will depend on the age of your child and how their body responds to being unwashed.
It’s all about keeping a natural balance in their vulva and vagina. You don’t want to wash too much (as you’ll destroy the natural balance) but if you don’t wash enough they’ll end up with redness and irritation.
Some people will wash their vulva daily because if they don’t, they’ll end up with discomfort.
Some people will wash their vulva every two to three or even five days apart, and they won’t end up with discomfort. Yes, the smegma will be much stronger and smelly but their vulva is still healthy.
So your child needs to do what is best for their body, and if they have discomfort they should wash more frequently.
If your child is wearing nappies, then poo needs to be removed as it is seen and the vulva should be washed at least daily. This is a part of the body that is always covered so daily washing helps to freshen things up and helps to keep their skin healthy.
If they are toilet-trained and puberty has not started, daily washing is recommended if they aren’t good at wiping. It isn’t uncommon for younger children to have redness and irritated skin down there, and it’s usually because they aren’t wiping properly. If they are good at wiping, missing the occasional bath won’t hurt them. Their body will tell them what it needs from them. If it is a battle to get them into the bath, they’ll probably be fine washing their vulva every two to three days. If that is too infrequent, their body will let them know and they’ll start complaining as the skin down there may be uncomfortable.
If puberty has started, then daily washing becomes more important. Their sweat glands are now working and their body is producing natural oils. Which means their body will be smelly for the first time in their lives. So daily washing is more important but it isn’t vital. It depends on how smelly they get and whether their vulva gets sore or not. You’ll need to give them frequent reminders to wash their bodies as they aren’t used to caring for the new changes that puberty brings.
If your child isn’t washing daily, it’s important they try to keep that part of the body as dry as possible. They should also be wearing clean underwear each day. I talk more about how to keep the vulva dry in this section of the blogpost.
Babies and toddlers
Lots of parents are unsure about how to keep their baby or toddler’s vulva clean (I still remember the uncertainty with my own daughter).
So let’s look at what you need to do!
The vulva skin is very delicate, so the vulva will need to be gently cleaned. You can either use a soft cloth or even cotton wool balls and water. Most parents will only use cotton wool for the first couple of weeks before switching to a soft cloth.
Some parents will add a small amount of mild baby cleanser to the water. Or you can use sensitive, fragrance-free baby wipes. But don’t feel that you have as plain water is okay to use. If you are using a cleanser or baby wipes, don’t forget to first do a skin test before using it on her vulva.
Nappy creams, sweat and other substances can collect in and around the labia. But you only need to clean in and around the labia to remove poo.
To clean your baby’s vulva after a wet nappy/diaper (no poo):
- Wet a soft washcloth or a cotton ball with warm water (if you want to you can use a mild baby cleanser).
- Hold your baby’s legs apart and wipe between the labia, starting at the front and gently wiping backwards.
- Use a clean part of the cloth or a new cotton ball if you need to wipe again.
- Dry your baby’s genital area by gently patting with a soft towel.
If there’s poo, and it’s gotten between the labia, you’ll need to gently separate the labia with your fingers and with a wet cloth, wipe from front to back until there are no visible traces of poo.
A common question from parents is whether you need to always wipe after changing a wet nappy/diaper (no poo). It depends on a few different things.
Are you using a cloth or disposable nappy/diaper? With disposable, there’s usually a layer that stays dry next to the skin. Whereas with cloth, the nappy may feel damp next to the skin.
How long have they been wearing that nappy/diaper? If it’s been on for more than 3 or 4 hours, or it is very full of urine, then it’s probably a good idea to cleanse any urine away from the skin.
Is your child’s skin sensitive? If they are sensitive and you notice redness, then you’ll need to cleanse any urine away from the skin.
Children (before puberty)
As your child grows up and becomes more independent (and capable) you can slowly start to encourage them to care for their own body. Along with washing their own face and dirty feet, they can also start to wash their own genitals.
They will require many reminders before this becomes a part of their daily routine. And even once they hit puberty, it still doesn’t hurt to occasionally remind them too! When my daughter was younger, I would randomly ask her if she had been washing her vulva properly.
To keep your child’s vulva healthy, they should:
- Use their hands to clean their vulva
- Use plain water, mild soaps or soap substitutes
- Pat their genitals dry.
- Use a bland barrier cream if the skin feels irritated or to protect it from irritation caused by moisture.
If possible they should avoid using cloths or sponges, as well as fragrant or irritating soap. They should never clean inside the vagina, douche or use ‘feminine’ sprays, perfumes and deodorants on their vulva. They should avoid rubbing their vulva dry (and pat it dry instead).
Children (during and after puberty)
Once puberty happens, you’ll need to remind your child to wash their vulva properly more often, otherwise it may get sore and smelly between the labial folds and/or around the clitoral hood. Smegma is protective but if it builds up, it can become smelly, irritate the skin and may even lead to an infection.
Also let your child know that if ever their vulva is sore, or it hurts to pee, they need to let you know! Tweens and teens don’t have the knowledge about vulvas that you have. So a lot of what you may think of as common sense, isn’t for them.
To keep their vulva healthy, your tween or teen should:
- Use their hands to clean their vulva
- Use plain water, mild soaps or soap substitutes
- Pat their genitals dry.
- Use a bland barrier cream if the skin feels irritated or to protect it from irritation caused by moisture.
If possible they should avoid using cloths or sponges, as well as fragrant or irritating soap. They should never clean inside the vagina, douche or use ‘feminine’ sprays, perfumes and deodorants on their vulva. They should avoid rubbing their vulva dry (and pat it dry instead).
Keeping the vulva area dry
An important part of caring for a vulva is to keep that part of the body as dry as possible. Moisture is an environment that helps the bad bacteria to grow, so try to wear clothes that allow this area to breathe.
You should try to buy cotton underwear as it is better at absorbing moisture. If you can’t find cotton underwear, then check that it has a cotton gussett. Synthetic fabrics are cheaper and easier to find but they aren’t breathable.
Encourage your child to not wear tight-fitting clothes all the time, especially if they are made out of synthetic material. They make it harder for this part of the body to stay dry.
Encourage your child to change their underwear daily. Underwear can be damp in the crotch so changing to clean (and dry) underwear helps to keep the vulva healthy.
If your child’s skin is sensitive, you may have to avoid washing clothes with strong detergents and softeners. Sometimes these can affect vaginal health because of their perfumes and scents.
Labial fusion
Labial infusion is something I do see parents asking about in my free Facebook sex education group for parents, that parent group. So I want to include it in this guide.
Simply, labial fusion is where the labia minora (the inner ones) are fused or stuck together. Usually it will separate by itself by puberty, and the best treatment is to leave it alone and wait for it to naturally resolve. Intervention is only required if urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur.
Because health/medical information changes frequently, I will redirect you to a Fact Sheet from The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne (Australia) on labial fusion. It will provide you with more information and advise you on when to see your family doctor.
Health issues with vulvas and vaginas
I can’t write a guide about vulval care without talking about some of the health issues that can arise. Some may only cause minor discomfort, others pain and irritation. But importantly most are easily treatable with the assistance of your family doctor or women’s health nurse!
Before puberty, health issues are usually skin irritation and itchiness. Remember, the skin is delicate in this part of the body. Because health/medical information changes frequently, I will redirect you to a Fact Sheet from The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne (Australia) on vulval skin care for children. It will inform you as to what to do if your child has a vulval itch and/or irritation, what it might be, and when to see your family doctor.
Sometimes Vulvovaginitis occurs, inflammation or irritation of the vagina and vulva. Mild vulvovaginitis is a common problem, and some children will have vulvovaginitis many times. It will occur less often as puberty begins. Usually, it isn’t a serious problem and will improve with simple steps at home. No medical treatment or tests are usually needed. You can learn more about Vulvovaginitis in this Fact Sheet from The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne (Australia).
During puberty and if your child is not sexually active, health issues are usually skin irritation and itchiness. The skin in this part of their body is still delicate (despite being older). Because health/medical information changes frequently, I will redirect you to a Fact Sheet from The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne (Australia) on vulval skin care for teenagers. It will inform you as to what to do if your child has a vulval itch and/or irritation, what it might be and when to see your family doctor.
If there is skin irritation or itchiness, a lot of people assume it is thrush. It could be thrush but it could also be vulvovaginitis. The symptoms are usually not serious and improve naturally. You can learn more about Vulvovaginitis in this Fact Sheet from The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne (Australia).
I will share some of the other issues that may affect the vulva and vagina, usually in adult bodies or once puberty has started. Some of them are uncommon but i still want to mention them. The links will take you to medical information about them.
Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that makes genitals itchy and sore. It is one of the most common causes of vulvar irritation.
Bacterial vaginosis is a condition where the vagina produces a greyish discharge that can smell fishy.
Abscesses are when a collection of bacteria and pus builds up beneath the skin. The abscess will usually be sore, red, and swollen. They can happen on your labia or just outside your vagina where the Bartholin’s glands are located.
Lichen sclerosus is a skin condition that makes patches of skin look white, thickened, and crinkly. It most often affects the skin around the vulva and anus.
Lichen planus is an inflammatory condition that can cause bumps on your skin and/or sores in moist areas like your mouth and vagina and around your vulva.
Vulvodynia is a condition where there is pain, burning and discomfort in the vulva that cannot be linked to a specific cause.
Psoriasis, ulcers and lesions are another cause of vulval pain and discomfort. They can be easily treated with a topical cream but lesions may require surgery.
As always, if you are ever unsure, you should visit your family doctor for a medical opinion. Please don’t self-diagnose.
Resources about vulvas and vagina
Planet Puberty has a simple guide on taking care of your vulva and vagina, with an illustrated printable that shows how to wash your vulva.
If you want to learn more about puberty, you can visit my Puberty 101 page which has a collection of all the blogposts about puberty.
If you want to know more about how to support your child through puberty, then you might like my Parent’s Guide to Puberty. It will get you ready to start talking and prepare your child for the changes puberty will bring.
The best resource to help your tween and teen learn about periods and their genitals is the Tempus period tracker app. I have written the educational content for this app, and the information is age-appropriate and and based on the assumption that they aren’t sexually active. Also, sex is not talked about as the focus is on periods and their changing body. It’s an app that has been developed to allow kids to track their cycle but also learn about their body. So if they ask why their period is late, it won’t tell them they may be pregnant! And it is secure, as Roe vs. Wade happened in the midst of it’s development and Darren (the app developer) ensured the app didn’t have any of the security and privacy issues that happen with most of the other period tracker apps.
My list of children’s books about private body parts contains books that are mainly about genitals. There are also a few books in there that are just about vulvas. The more general sex education books (that cover a lot of different topics) also include a page on naming the genitals.
I have a detailed parent guide about private body parts, that will walk you through the many different conversations you may want to have with your child about vulvas.
If you have yet to start teaching your child the correct name for their vulva, then I have a blogpost to help you to start naming their private body parts.
If you are looking for age-appropriate illustrations of vulvas, then my anatomically correct cartoon illustrations have quite a few vulvas inside them.