Female genital (The Hymen) self-examination.

Before starting your genital self-examination, it's important to understand the words that describe the genital portion of your body. Let's start where your pubic hair begins and move down. Your pubic hair above your vagina grows from soft fatty tissue called the mons. Your pubic hair continues down between your legs in a fleshy area that forms flaps called the outer lips or labia. The outer lips surround soft flaps of skin that are hairless. These are the inner lips. At the top of your inner lips (right below the mons), you'll find your clitoris. The clitoris is covered by a soft fold of skin, called the hood of the clitoris. If you check under the hood, you will see the clitoris. Notice that the inner lips are attached to the underside of the clitoris. Right below this attachment you will see the urinary opening or pee-hole. Beneath your clitoris you will see your urinary opening or pee-hole, and beneath that is the larger opening called the vagina (which may or may not be partially covered by your hymen).

Now that we've described your genital area, let's begin your genital self-examination. You may want to conduct this by yourself, or you may prefer to have the assistance of a partner. Once you've undressed, start by examining the area that your pubic hair covers from the mons down to the area between your legs. You may want to use a mirror and position it so that you can see your entire genital area. Even with a mirror, you may find it difficult to see the area from your urinary opening down.

Start by spreading your pubic hair apart with your fingers. Carefully look for any bumps, sores, or blisters on the skin. Sometimes the bumps or blisters may be read, at other times they may be light-colored. They may even look like pimples. Bumps and blisters sometimes develop into open sores. If you see anything that resembles a sore, blister, or bump, see your physician.

In addition, look for warts. Genital warts may look like warts you may have seen on other parts of your body. They may first appear as very small bumpy spots. Left untreated, they could develop a fleshy, cauliflower-like appearance. Some warts are hard to detect with the naked eye. If you feel any bumpy growth, no matter how slight, have it checked by a physician. Once you've examined the area covered by pubic hair (the mons and outer lips), spread your outer vaginal lips apart and take a close look at the hood of your clitoris. Then gently pull the hood up to reveal your clitoris. Once again, look for any bumps, blisters, sores, warts, or unusual-looking discharge. Next look at both sides of your inner lips for the same signs. Then move on to examine the area around your urinary opening and your vaginal opening.

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