Growing up I always had a complicated relationship with my body, and would relentlessly compare myself to porn models and be angry that I wasn't naturally "perfect". I have always been a very sexual being so it was a struggle. Especially dating in my teen years when the boys I decided to be intimate with were very ignorant about female anatomy and their negative comments towards my body really stuck with me for a while. I remember being commented on the smell of my vulva, and being shamed after bleeding from being accidentally scratched during foreplay. I was mortified. It made even more ashamed of my body. Needless to say I broke up with him shortly after and any other partner who made degrading comments to me I kicked to the curb. It took some time to realize my power and worth. Now that I'm older I am very in touch with my body and sexuality and no longer have negative feelings toward my vulva or body in general but it was work to get here. Self love takes time but the payout is huge. I also feel like there's more body diversity in porn recently and it's a beautiful thing. My current longterm partner is so good to me and says nothing but positive and loving things about my body. 5 years ago I decided to put a huge tattoo over my pubic area and it hurt like hell but I'm so happy with it. It's truly unique and is just another reason to love what I see in the mirror. I love the Vulva Gallery and wish this existed when I was a teenager but I'm happy that it exists now so anyone with a vulva can see how beautiful and unique we all really are!
H. - 25 years old