This is the seventh installment of stories and photographs from I'll Show You Mine, a book by Wrenna Robertson and photographer Katie Huisman, and by all of the women featured in the book, collectively. To find out more about the book, Wrenna, and why we think this is such an important project, check out our interview with her here. Or, you can visit the website for the book to find out and more and get a copy for yourself.

If you'd like to ask the person whose body and words are featured in each entry any questions or have a conversation with her, most of the subjects have agreed to make themselves available here in the comments for discussions with our readers. As mentioned in Wrenna's interview, so many people never get the opportunity to talk about genitals in an honest, open and safe way with others, so we encourage you to avail yourselves of the opportunity, and are so grateful to the women involved for making this kind of conversation available to Scarleteen readers.

We're also happy to talk with you as Scarleteen staff or volunteers if you like. Depending on your feelings about your own genitals or those of others, and your experience (or lack of it) in seeing vulvas so realistically before, reading narratives or seeing images like these may stir up feelings for you which are uncomfortable. We're glad to talk you through any discomfort if you like should that happen for you. We're also happy to answer any questions this series may bring up for you about sexual or reproductive anatomy, either here in comments, on our message boards, or through our text service.

Reminder: This post includes a set of unaltered, unretouched and detailed photographs of the vulva for the purposes of awareness and education, not for sexual or other entertainment. If you do not wish to view photos like this, or are in a location where you do not feel comfortable viewing them, you may not want to read or scroll to the bottom of this page. We have left substantial space in between the words and the images so you may read all of the author's narrative without also viewing the images if you prefer.

This post also includes a first-person narrative reflective of the author and their own thoughts, feelings and language, which may or may not reflect the opinions or values of Scarleteen as an organization.

My name is Laure.

The opportunity to participate in this project came along at the perfect time during my journey of rediscovering who I am, as a woman, as a person, during the second half of my life.

I was sexually repressed for most of my life and it has only been in the last few years that my sexuality has truly awakened. I felt my marriage less than a year ago and found myself back in the dating game. I am drawn to younger men, men who grew up on porn, men who date younger women who grew up on porn, porn that depicts perfect little shaved pussies.

The men I was dating did not seem interested in my southern region for oral purposes; I started to become self-conscious about it. I had never seen another woman's vagina up close and personal and I had only used a mirror a few times to check out my own. I started to take a closer look at mine, comparing it to the only reference I had - porn - wondering how I should improve the appearance of my vagina.

Did I need to shave? Should I have my mole removed? How do I make my vagina more inviting to men?

And then it dawned on me: it wasn't about creating the perfect vagina for others to see, it was about me accepting mine as it was. Body image issues seem to plague so many women and it was finally time for me to embrace and appreciate my body, to love who I am, as I am. I have what I have, my body is mine and I am going to keep it as it is.

As I became more comfortable with my vagina and my body as a whole, men became more interested. It was all about my attitude and how I projected these feelings unto men. As I became more confident in who I was, men picked up on my new empowered self and they were then eager to journey to my southern region... better sex and mutual sexual satisfaction soon followed.

I am proud to say: my name is Laure and this is my vagina.

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Previous posts in this series:

• I'll Show You Mine: Kacey
• I'll Show You Mine: Odyne
• I'll Show You Mine: Emily
• I'll Show You Mine: Jayla
• I'll Show You Mine: Erin
• I'll Show You Mine: Diana
• Wrenna Shows You Hers (and mine, and yours, and hers, and hers, and...)

Want some information on vulvas and other sexual anatomy, gender and body image? Check these links out to get started:

• With Pleasure: A View of Whole Sexual Anatomy for Every Body
• Innies & Outies: The Vagina, Clitoris, Uterus and More
• Give'em Some Lip: Labia That Clearly Ain't Minor
• Genderpalooza! A Sex & Gender Primer
• My Corona: The Anatomy Formerly Known as the Hymen & the Myths That Surround It
• From Us to You: Some Volunteer Aunties Talk Body Image

This is our fifth installment of stories and photographs from I'll Show You Mine, a book by Wrenna Robertson and photographer Katie Huisman, and by all of the women featured in the book, collectively. To find out more about the book, Wrenna, and why we think this is such an important project, check out our interview with her here. Or, you can visit the website for the book to find out and more and get a copy for yourself.

If you'd like to ask the person whose body and words are featured in each entry any questions or have a conversation with her, most of the subjects have agreed to make themselves available here in the comments for discussions with our readers. As mentioned in Wrenna's interview, so many people never get the opportunity to talk about genitals in an honest, open and safe way with others, so we encourage you to avail yourselves of the opportunity, and are so grateful to the women involved for making this kind of conversation available to Scarleteen readers.

We're also happy to talk with you as Scarleteen staff or volunteers if you like. Depending on your feelings about your own genitals or those of others, and your experience (or lack of it) in seeing vulvas so realistically before, reading narratives or seeing images like these may stir up feelings for you which are uncomfortable. We're glad to talk you through any discomfort if you like should that happen for you. We're also happy to answer any questions this series may bring up for you about sexual or reproductive anatomy, either here in comments, on our message boards, or through our text service.

Reminder: This post includes a set of unaltered, unretouched and detailed photographs of the vulva for the purposes of awareness and education, not for sexual or other entertainment. If you do not wish to view photos like this, or are in a location where you do not feel comfortable viewing them, you may not want to read or scroll to the bottom of this page. We have left substantial space in between the words and the images so you may read all of the author's narrative without also viewing the images if you prefer.

This post also includes a first-person narrative reflective of the author and their own thoughts, feelings and language, which may or may not reflect the opinions or values of Scarleteen as an organization.

My name is Odyne.

I knew at an early age that I had increased sensitivity all over my vulva, later discovering through an OB/GYN that my condition was called vulvar vestibulitis.

The exact cause is unknown but that pain lasts moments to weeks. The options presented to me to relieve the discomfort were hormonal creams and laser surgery to remove a layer of skin from the most sensitive area. When a variety of special hormonal creams failed to alleviate any pain, I chose to follow a strict diet, switched to all organic soaps and detergents, meditated with Quantum Healing Touch and abstained from intercourse. But the pain always came back.

Taking care of my physical body was only a part of the healing process because after many years of suffering, I discovered that both my heart and mind-body must be involved in order to live a pleasurable life.

Pain of all kinds have persisted throughout my life, but the experiences wouldn't have come to me if I was not strong enough to handle them.

A few months after turning 16, I had a boyfriend who didn't respect my request to remain a virgin and raped me while I was unconscious after drinking alcohol with him.

It was not the last time I was sexually assaulted.

Thriving rather than just surviving after abuse meant I had to radically alter my perspective. We always have the choice of what to focus on and I realized that the ones who assaulted me continue to suffer most because they don't know how to engage in a loving relationship and their sexual desires have become a dis-ease.

I changed drastically; I engaged in an adventurous, long-distance romance that was initiated via the internet, and I moved to another city to begin a career as an exotic dancer, which unexpectedly became therapy for me. My passion for dance and enjoyment of being naked allowed me to receive praise and appreciation from the gender I once greatly feared. In a setting where many people perceive women to be exploited, I was introduced to a nurturing soul mate who shares unconditional love with me.

Loving myself and being loved has taken the pain away and it has yet to resurface!

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Previous posts in this series:

• I'll Show You Mine: Emily
• I'll Show You Mine: Jayla
• I'll Show You Mine: Erin
• I'll Show You Mine: Diana
• Wrenna Shows You Hers (and mine, and yours, and hers, and hers, and...)

Want some information on vulvas and other sexual anatomy, gender and body image? Check these links out to get started:

• With Pleasure: A View of Whole Sexual Anatomy for Every Body
• Innies & Outies: The Vagina, Clitoris, Uterus and More
• Give'em Some Lip: Labia That Clearly Ain't Minor
• Genderpalooza! A Sex & Gender Primer
• My Corona: The Anatomy Formerly Known as the Hymen & the Myths That Surround It
• From Us to You: Some Volunteer Aunties Talk Body Image

This is our third installment of stories and photographs from I'll Show You Mine, a book by Wrenna Robertson and photographer Katie Huisman, and by all of the women featured in the book, collectively. To find out more about the book, Wrenna, and why we think this is such an important project, check out our interview with her here. Or, you can visit the website for the book to find out and more and get a copy for yourself.

If you would like to ask the person whose body and words are featured in each entry any questions or have a conversation with her, most of the subjects have agreed to make themselves available here in the comments for discussions with our readers. As mentioned in Wrenna's interview, so many people never get the opportunity to talk about genitals in an honest, open and safe way with others, so we encourage you to avail yourselves of the opportunity, and are so grateful to the women involved for making this kind of conversation available to Scarleteen readers.

We're also happy to talk with you as Scarleteen staff or volunteers if you like. Depending on your feelings about your own genitals or those of others, and your experience (or lack of it) in seeing vulvas so realistically before, reading narratives or seeing images like these may stir up feelings for you which are uncomfortable. We're glad to talk you through any discomfort if you like should that happen for you. We're also happy to answer any questions this series may bring up for you about sexual or reproductive anatomy, either here in comments, on our message boards, or through our text service.

Reminder: This post includes a set of unaltered, unretouched and detailed photographs of the vulva for the purposes of awareness and education, not for sexual or other entertainment. If you do not wish to view photos like this, or are in a location where you do not feel comfortable viewing them, you may not want to read or scroll to the bottom of this page. We have left substantial space in between the words and the images so you may read all of the author's narrative without also viewing the images if you prefer.

This post also includes a first-person narrative reflective of the author and their own thoughts, feelings and language, which may or may not reflect the opinions or values of Scarleteen as an organization.

My name is Jayla.

My vagina history contains culture shock, a single father, religion and terrible experiences with men. It confused, sexualized and controlled most of my life.

I remember my first experience with my vagina. I was 7 years old. I was bathing when I accidentally created water pressure and it ran down my vagina. It felt strangely good and unlike anything I had felt before. Instinctively, I felt that I had to keep this discovery to myself because I knew there was something dirty about it. I had immigrated to Canada leaving my home, my culture and my mother to live with my father. We never had the sex/genital conversation.

I had come from a different culture and had grown up with a different set of freedoms. I remember feeling sad when my father didn't allow my younger brother and me to bathe together. I quickly learned to be self-conscious as my native culture was very different from Canadian culture. Growing up in Canada with a single father was difficult. Going through puberty was challenging and having my first period was the worst.

I enjoyed my showers and baths for years. It was where my body felt good; I just didn't understand anything about it. As I matured, I was curious and hopeful about sex. When I talked with my girlfriends, I was excited when I heard about their sexual activities and saw how they carried themselves with such confidence. It was enough for me to try it out. Sex was not what I had expected and I became even more conflicted as I was raised believing that sex before marriage was against my religion. I continued to feel confused and ashamed for masturbating and having sex.

Not until the last few years have I freed myself from all that had oppressed my vagina and my identity. I moved away from my father, I freed myself from religion, and I have opened up to spirituality and to connection. I freed myself from having meaningless sex and eventually met a man who my vagina became very fond of. He treated my vagina in the most delicate and precious way. All of my bad memories and experiences disappeared the day I saw him staring and touching my whole vagina in daylight, just looking at it with his blue eyes. It was also the day I first embraced my vagina and accepted myself. Together we've discovered the depths of my vagina, its details and its abilities, its wants and needs, its likes and dislikes. With his openness he helped free my vagina from its previous life and today I am not ashamed anymore. I have accepted the gift of womanhood and self-worth and I want to share it with you.

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Previous posts in this series:

• I'll Show You Mine: Erin
• I'll Show You Mine: Diana
• Wrenna Shows You Hers (and mine, and yours, and hers, and hers, and...)

Want some information on vulvas and other sexual anatomy, gender and body image? Check these links out to get started:

• With Pleasure: A View of Whole Sexual Anatomy for Every Body
• Innies & Outies: The Vagina, Clitoris, Uterus and More
• Give'em Some Lip: Labia That Clearly Ain't Minor
• Genderpalooza! A Sex & Gender Primer
• My Corona: The Anatomy Formerly Known as the Hymen & the Myths That Surround It
• From Us to You: Some Volunteer Aunties Talk Body Image

We're so very excited to kick off this series today which features some of the stories and photographs from I'll Show You Mine, a book by Wrenna Robertson and photographer Katie Huisman, and by all of the women featured in the book, collectively. The book is an educational resource which was created to debunk society’s artificial and unrealistic standards for normalcy and beauty with the vulva, and to help people really get a sense of not only what vulvas can look like, in all their diversity (and without our pal Photoshop in the mix), but the diverse ways people who have them can feel about them. Sixty women are represented in the book, each with two large, true colour photographs. The photos are paired with in-her-own-words stories of each woman’s experience of the shaping forces of her sexuality; the stories range from heart-wrenching to celebratory, from angry to sensual. Women from a variety of ethnicities, ages spanning from 19 into their sixties, and all walks of life are represented: students, doctors, artists, academics, sex workers, mothers, grandmothers, housewives, entrepreneurs and more.

To find out more about the book, Wrenna, and why we think this is such an important project, check out our interview with her here. Or, you can visit the website for the book to find out and more and get a copy for yourself so that you can see the whole of this amazing book.

Over the next eight weeks, we will be posting the photographs and first-person narratives of eight of the women featured in the book. We will lead with the narrative, and follow with the photographs. If you would like to ask the person whose body and words are featured in each entry any questions or have a conversation with her, most of the subjects have agreed to make themselves available here in the comments for discussions with our readers. As mentioned in Wrenna's interview last week, so many people never get the opportunity to talk about genitals in an honest, open and safe way with others, so we encourage you to avail yourselves of this excellent opportunity, and are so grateful to the women involved for making this kind of conversation available to Scarleteen readers.

We're also happy to talk with you as Scarleteen staff or volunteers if you like. Depending on your feelings about your own genitals or those of others, and your experience (or lack of it) in seeing vulvas so realistically before, reading narratives or seeing images like these may stir up feelings for you which are uncomfortable. We're glad to talk you through any discomfort if you like should that happen for you. We're also happy to answer any questions this series may bring up for you about sexual or reproductive anatomy, either here in comments, on our message boards, or through our text service.

As is always the case with any interactive content on the site, comments for this series will be moderated, and as we always ask of those who comment, please dedicate yourself to respectful and thoughtful conversation. Thanks!

Reminder: This post includes a set of unaltered, unretouched and detailed photographs of the vulva for the purposes of awareness and education, not for sexual or other entertainment. If you do not wish to view photos like this, or are in a location where you do not feel comfortable viewing them, you may not want to read or scroll to the bottom of this page. We have left substantial space in between the words and the images so you may read all of the author's narrative without also viewing the images if you prefer.

This post also includes a first-person narrative reflective of the author and their thoughts and feelings, which may or may not reflect the opinions or values of Scarleteen as an organization.

With no further adieu, let's get started with Diana!

My name is Diana.

When I was a very young child, I remember really, really loving my vagina. The smell and sight of it made me feel comfortable and at home, and I was very vocal about how proud I was to be a girl. When I was still young and cute enough for adults to find me benign and non-threatening, I'd boast at length about my genitalia, describing its structure in detail - even feeling it was far superior to the junk of the boys around me.

I'm not sure exactly when, or how, or from whom I picked up the fear and shame I developed surrounding my vagina, but by the time I was 6 or 7 I wished it didn't exist. By the time I was 10, I'd almost succeeded in putting it completely out of sight and out of mind. The occasional fluid leaks and period scares were the only things keeping me attached in any way to the space between my legs. The onset of menstruation only made me feel dirty and self-conscious, and I bundled my shame in toilet paper and cotton, wrapping discarded pads in layer after layer of tissue, hoping my family would never find out that I bled.

I was not raised in an environment where women where allowed to be proud to be women.

By the time I started having sex I had racked up over a decade of sexual shame. It took almost a year for me to learn how to feel, to breathe through the discomfort and embarrassment and the guilt, to feel like I could, in fact, experience pleasure.

It still takes a lot of effort and encouragement, from myself and from others, for me to feel comfortable expressing fondness for and felling anywhere near as delighted as I once did about my vagina. Participating in this project allowed me to feel a whole new level of love for it - like what I have is wanted, and can be loved, and that this love is deserved.

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Want some information on vulvas and other sexual anatomy, gender and body image? Check these links out to get started: