Flower. Foo foo. Bits. Lady parts. Front bottom. 'Down there'.

We have all used euphemisms, at one point or another, to describe our nether regions that have been passed down through the generations as a result of the common - and rather depressing - misconception that using the correct scientific term for female sexual anatomy is somehow blasphemic.

However, such stigmas surrounding sexual health don't just affect our vernacular but also our understanding of our own bodies. Recent research from the EVE Appeal found that 65% of 16-25 year old women admit to having problem using the words 'vagina' and 'vulva'. (If you're still unaware, the vagina is the muscular tube that joins the vaginal opening to the cervix, whereas the vulva is the external genitalia - including the labia, the clitoris and the vaginal and urethral openings).

Charlotte Willcox

It was the misunderstanding of female sexual anatomy and the discovery of a penis museum in Iceland - otherwise known as The Icelandic Phallological Museum - that prompted science commentator and comedian Florence Schechter to set up The Vagina Museum - the world's first bricks and mortar museum dedicated to the gynaecological anatomy.

Opening on 16th November in Camden Market, north London, the museum - which is free to visit - aims to fight stigmas surrounding women and show the world that their vaginas and vulvas are parts of the body to be celebrated.

'We want to give everyone the confidence to talk about a perfectly normal part of the anatomy,' says museum founder and director Florence Schechter. 'There's nothing shameful or offensive about vulvas and vaginas.'

The museum's first exhibition - Muff Busters: Vagina Myths and How To Fight Them - explores myths and misconception about vaginas, from cleanliness and discharge to periods.

Charlotte Willcox

'There is an advertised myth that vaginas and vulva need to be cleaned through the use of bespoke feminine cleaning produce, however the vagina is completely self cleaning,' says Schechter. 'In fact, in certain people the use of soaps and scented produce that lead to vaginal bacteria imbalance and result in infection – literally doing more harm than good.'

Schechter continues, explaining that there is anxiety surrounding vaginal discharge which implies there is something wrong with the vagina or that it is dirty.

'This is just not true,' she states. 'The cervix naturally creates a mucus (and resulting discharge) and this can vary in colour, texture and amount dependant on a variety of factors including hormonal fluctuations.'

Charlotte Willcox

This year, books such as Emma Barnett's Period, Maisie Hill's Period Power and Lynn Enright's Vagina: A Re-education have opened our eyes to the vast void of information we have about our own anatomy, but have also started to fill it.

'Where there is an absence of information, misinformation and myths can flourish,' says author Lynn Enright.

'If you feel confused or ignored by a doctor about your post-pregnancy vagina, you are more susceptible to believing that vaginal jade eggs will work, for example. (They won't.) If you're a young woman or girl, and you feel like you can't talk to a medical professional or a family member about discharge or vaginal thrush, you are more likely to buy douches or other products that are actually harmful. Honest conversation is a brilliant starting point; we need to replace myths with facts.'

So get your mums, dads, brothers, sisters, aunties and grandad's neighbour's postman down to the museum to debunk the myths and start normalising a body part that, let's face it, over 50% of the population has.

There's nothing shameful or offensive about vulvas

Besides, we've had to look at biro-scribbled penises on every school surface since primary school, so let's put our vulvas centre stage for once.

And don't forget the merch. We all know the best part of any museum is the gift shop and The Vagina Museum does not disappoint. From crochet clitorises and pussy pendants to 'vaginas are normal' stickers, pins and totes, say hello to your new uniform.

Vulva la revolution!

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