FEMININE HYGIENE Vulva and vaginal basics First things first: What is the vagina, what is the vulva, and what is the difference between the two? In medical terms, the vagina refers to the internal muscular tract extending from the cervix to the vaginal opening. The vulva is the external part of the female genital tract, which includes: -The inner and outer labia (labia minora and majora) -The glans clitoris (the external part of the clitoris) and clitoral hood (the fold of skin protecting the glans clitoris) -The vestibule (which surrounds the vaginal opening) -The urethral opening To maintain vulvar and vaginal health, a person must ensure that two important aspects remain balanced: their pH, which is a measurement that denotes something’s acidity or alkalinity, and their bacterial balance. Studies indicate that vulvar pH is usually 3.5–4.7 , while vaginal pH varies according to a person’s age and the stage of their menstrual cycle . So, before a person reaches reproductive age and st