We started this project because we noticed a common problem among the women and girls we know and love, including our own daughters. They felt confused or insecure about their vulvas and vaginas, and didn’t know where to turn for answers. They worried that their bodies looked “abnormal.” While there are a few online resources, most are very limited, and the images found in pornography often create unrealistic and harmful expectations of Barbie-style designer vulvas and vaginas. We believe everyone deserves to know that their body is completely normal and wonderful.
That’s why our informal group of doctors, parents, scientists, and educators came together to create OwnYourVagina.com. Our goal is to provide a place where everyone can find the information they need to feel confident and empowered.
What We Offer
A Place to Learn: Our website is a safe and welcoming space for you to learn about vulvas. We provide simple, easy-to-understand descriptions and illustrations of different body parts.
A Database of Diversity: We’ve created a unique database of completely anonymous vulva photos. You can easily browse and sort the images by different categories like age, and vulva shape. This allows you to see the incredible diversity that exists and to know with confidence that you, or your child, are normal.
A Resource for the Community: We invite you to contribute your own anonymous photos to help others on their journey to self-acceptance. We also offer a way to generate a private image identifier, which helps to protect you from sexting threats by sharing a secure link instead of an identifiable photo. This site is also used for important research to better understand the diversity of human vulvas.
Our Commitment to Your Safety
This project is intended for educational and research purposes. We have very strict rules to protect you and our community. Please read them carefully.
What This Site is NOT For:
- Medical Diagnosis: We are not doctors, and this site cannot diagnose medical conditions. If you have any concerns about your vulva or those of your child, please see a qualified professional like a gynecologist, urologist, or pediatrician for a proper examination and diagnosis.
- Detecting Abuse: This project is not a tool to detect sexual abuse. That is a very complex process that requires an in-depth examination by highly trained medical professionals. Even experienced medical professionals have frequently made incorrect diagnoses¹,². If you have any concerns about sexual abuse, please seek immediate assistance from your local health professionals.
- Pornographic Images or Sex Acts: No image on this site is allowed to include anything more than the vulva. We do not permit images of any sex acts, masturbation, or objects inserted into any opening (with the exception of a visible tampon string during menstruation).
- Identifiable Images: All images must be completely anonymous. There should be no faces, tattoos, unique birthmarks, or anything else that could identify a person. The images should not show anything above the belly button or below the mid-thigh.
- Uploading Without Permission: Only upload images of your own vulva. If you are a caregiver, you may upload an image of your child’s vulva only with your full consent.
Our Purpose is Education, Not Sexual Pleasure:
This project is here to help you learn about your body and build your self-confidence. The images on this site are not sexual. If you are using this site for sexual purposes or if you find yourself feeling disgusted or distressed by the content, please consider seeking professional help to explore those feelings.
Who We Are
We are an informal group of doctors, gynecologists, urologists, pediatricians, parents, scientists, and educators. We are also part of the International Open Sex Education Network, an initiative dedicated to creating open and accessible resources for everyone. We are not affiliated with any single organization, hospital, or agency. Our team is distributed around the world, with contributors from all continents and cultures.
References
- Interpretation of Medical Findings in Suspected Child Sexual Abuse: An Update for 2018 – J.A. Adams et al. / J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 31 (2018) 225 – 231
- Hymen and virginity: What every paediatrician should know – Moussaoui, Abdulcadir and Yaron / Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 58 (2022) 382 – 387