What's the line above my urethra?

[plshelpmeguyz]

Hey guys, my friend had good luck getting information from you. I looked around online and didn't get any answers and I'm wondering what the line on the vagina that goes from an inch below the clitoris to the urethral mound is. It's the one that's bumpy when you touch it. What should I do when it's painful when I try penetration or when I wipe?

[plshelpmeguyz]

I'm not actually forty-one; I just said that because I don't want any identifiable information on this.

[KierC]

Hi plshelpmeguyz, and welcome to the boards!

First, can you confirm for us what your actual age is? When you sign up on the boards we do ask that users not falsify information. The message boards are anonymous, so nobody will be able to identify you on here.

To your question: I’m not sure what you’re referring to by a line; is it a fold? It might help to look at these diagrams we have of the vagina, vulva, clitoris, and more: Innies & Outies: The Vagina, Clitoris, Uterus, and More!. Does looking through those diagrams provide any clarity for you?

The pain you’re describing sounds like it could possibly be related to wiping too hard or lack of lubrication, but if you’re experiencing pain when you wipe, it’s a good idea to check in with a licensed medical professional. Is that something you’re able to do?

[plshelpmeguyz]

Okay, I apologize. I reflexively put in false information whenever I sign up anywhere. I am actually 23 (afab). Putting in my birthday makes me nervous.

As for that, I do not think it is a fold. It is not where two parts of skin meet (the skin is very tight there) and it's very flat, right over the bone. When I touch it, I can feel it raised under my fingers, like I'm touching a very small chain, and it feels sore. It goes right up to my urethra and then splits off into two; it's flat in-between but painful to touch. It goes up to an inch or so below the clitoris and fades into normal, wet, flexible skin. Penetration has always been painful and I've only been able to accomplish it after I started on testosterone. I've genuinely never considered this could be an abnormal part of the vagina before yesterday, but now I'm starting to wonder.

It doesn't hurt when I wipe anymore unless I forget about it, in which case it burns for the next few minutes.

[KierC]

Hi!

No worries at all, and thanks for letting us know your age.

Have you always had this pain with wiping, or did it show up recently?

If it feels sore to the touch and causing pain during vaginal entry, I would certainly check in with a gynecologist. They’ll be able to take a look with you (with a mirror, so you can see too) and see what you’re referring to. It could be a part of your clitoris (which is larger than just the head that protrudes; there’s a larger internal part that splits on either side, which sounds a bit similar to what you’re describing), but if you’re feeling pain, you deserve to have that taken seriously by a doctor. Does that sound doable to you?

[plshelpmeguyz]

No, it's been painful ever since I was very small. Being painful to the touch doesn't bother me, since I don't touch it, I just want to know what it is. Just to understand - this is NOT a normal part of the vagina?! Nobody else has the raised chain leading out of the urethra?!

[KierC]

I cannot determine that without being a medical professional who can see and determine that. This is definitely a good question for a gynecologist, as you’re having pain. Are you able to see one?

[plshelpmeguyz]

Yeah I can see a healthcare professional. But I think I might, already, suspect. It looks and feels a lot like a scar. I never expected to be this person, but . . . I think some people might have a lot of explaining to do.

[KierC]

Ah, I hear you. Scar tissue can get dry and irritated sometimes, so I see what you mean. I’m glad you can see a healthcare professional, they will be able to tell if it’s a scar, something else, or if it’s normal. They will also be able to help address the pain with wiping.

If you’d like to talk more about your concerns around this being a scar, or any feelings that might be coming up right now, we are here to listen and support you. <3

[plshelpmeguyz]

lorem ipsum facto

[KierC]

I’m so sorry to hear you’re having these distressing memories. If you’re saying you are having memories of abuse or a surgery where your family is not giving you answers about, then I would also recommend involving a mental health professional, as they are most qualified to address this.

With regard to the pain and the line, this could be a normal part of your anatomy. You can see in this article that there’s a lot of variety with anatomy, and some vulvas you can see here have lines and extra folds: Betty Dodson’s Vulva Illustrations. I wanted to mention, too, that a common side effect of T is vaginal dryness, which could result in pain with wiping. This should also be checked in with by a medical provider, though, so your next step will be to consult with a doctor.