21 Vagina Facts Every Woman Should Know No 6 will Shock You
While there's been significant gains made in de-stigmatizing reproductive body parts, there's still a lingering and significant amount of shame associated with vaginas. That shame, in turn, can make it that much more difficult to learn about this particular body part. In other words, whether you've been too shy to ask or don't know where to look for information, chances are you've wondered about a thing or two "down there." From how it looks, to how it smells, to how it functions, there are a few essential vagina facts every person (whether they have a vagina or not) should know, especially since there's a lot of misinformation that has been perpetuated over the years.
For starters, "vagina" is not an all-encompassing term
for everything between your legs. The vagina is muscular, hollow organ that
extends from the vaginal opening to the uterus. Because it has muscular walls,
the vagina can expand and contract, allowing it to accommodate anything from
a tampon, to a finger,
to a penis, to a baby. The walls of the vagina are lined with mucous membranes,
which keep it protected and moist, and contrary to popular belief vaginas are
mostly able to take care of themselves. They don't require much help to
maintain their complex yet delicate microbiome, but there are still a few basic
titbits and fun factoids anyone with a vagina should keep in mind.
Not sure what you can expect to happen to your vagina after
childbirth? Curious to know what happens to your vagina during intercourse?
Worried that menopause means the
end of your sex life? Read on to find out surprising facts you may not know
about your vagina.
1.
You can't really "lose" something in your vagina, like a tampon.
Everyone's heard the myth that things can go missing in there.
"The vagina is bounded at the inner end by the cervix and by the vagina's
own tissue," Lisa Stern, APRN, vice
president of medical services at Planned Parenthood in Los Angeles, said. In
other words, your vagina is not connected to another area of your body, so
don't worry about anything going missing. However, Sterns says that sometimes a
tampon can get lodged deep inside the vagina, like if it's accidentally left
in place during intercourse. "If this happens, your healthcare provider
should be able to remove it easily with a speculum and forceps," she says.
2.
Just like your face, your vagina also wrinkles with age.
Yes, the appearance of your private parts may change with age. "The labia may become less plump as estrogen levels wane, fatty pads in the labia shrink, and less collagen can lead to more sagging," Lissa Rankin, MD, gynecologist and author
of What's Up Down There? Questions You'd Only Ask Your Gynecologist If She Was Your Best Friend, said. "The skin of the vulva may darken or lighten and the clitoris may shrink. It's normal either way." Scary? Nah. "These changes, which are often related to decreasing levels of estrogen, do not affect how much pleasure your parts can bring you," she adds.
3.
Your vagina and your vulva are not the same thing.
Many people use the term “vagina” in reference to all parts of the female genitalia. But that's incorrect. "Vaginas are vaginas," Dr. Angela Jones, OB/GYN,said. "They are not vulvas. A lot of folks aren’t aware of their basic anatomy and tend to use the terms synonymously." As Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, OB/GYN at Yale-New Haven Hospital and clinical professor at Yale University School of Medicine, explained, the vagina is like a "tube" that extends from your cervix to your hymen. Everything you can see — including the clitoris, urethra, labia, and pubis — is part of the vulva.
4. No two vulvas are the same.
Like snowflakes, no two vulvas are the same, and though many people worry that their vulvas don't look “normal," there's really no such thing. The labia majora (outer lips) and labia minora (inner lips) look different on all types of bodies, and normal labia color ranges from pink to red to brown to purplish.
5. Some vaginal discharge is normal.
According to Janelle King, MPH, BSN, RN, having clear, white, mildly-scented
discharge is (more often than not) total normal. However, the amount and
consistency of discharge tends to vary from one person to another. "The color and thickness of your discharge will also vary throughout your menstrual cycle — more noticeable near ovulation and the week before your period," King tells The Wellness Platform. But not all discharge is normal, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for any changes. "If your discharge is yellow/green, g
ray, has a bad smell, or you experience bothersome symptoms like itching or burning, you should follow up with your healthcare provider for testing," King says.
6.
Your vagina cleans itself.
7.
Using bath products on your vagina can actually be harmful.
Bath products, particularly those with chemical dyes or
fragrances, can irritate the vagina and wash away the beneficial lubricants and
flora (bacteria and yeast) that are normal and natural. When these beneficial
compounds get washed away, anaerobic bacteria and yeast proliferate and can
cause symptoms like discharge, odor and itching. "In general, the less you
do to it, the better," Dr. Minkin says. While a little mild,
hypoallergenic soap on the labia area is OK, your body does a fine job of
keeping the insides clean.
8.
Having an acidic vagina is a good thing.
Second only to your intestines, your vagina contains more bacteria
than anywhere else in your body, according to King. "The 'good' bacteria
in your vagina help balance your pH," she says, noting that a healthy range
of your vagina's pH is 3.8-4.5. But when the pH of your vagina is thrown off,
it can lead to itching, burning, unpleasant odor, or unusual discharge, which
is why it's so important not to wash any area other than your outermost labia,
where your pubic hair grows. If you need to restore your vagina's pH levels, I
recommend using Forever Probiotics.
9.
What you eat can affect your vagina.
Another way to keep the balance of your vaginal pH within the healthy
range: eating foods associated with good vagina health, like yogurt. A study
published in Archives of Gynecology and
Obstetrics gave pregnant participants with yeast infections honey and
yogurt, and they found that the mixture had similar effects to anti-fungal
medications in treating yeast infections.
10.
Your vagina grows in size when aroused.
The vagina is nothing if not accommodating. According to Rankin,
the average length of a vagina is three to four inches long, but it can double
in size. After arousal, the upper portion of the vagina elongates, pushing the
cervix and uterus slightly deeper into your body to make room for penetration.
Your body's natural ability to self-lubricate helps make penetrative vaginal
sex less uncomfortable and more enjoyable as well.
11. Your labia may also change color during
arousal.
The color of your vulva may not be the same color as the rest of
your skin — and for many, it's darker. However, during arousal, the color of
your labia can temporarily become even darker as blood rushes to the area.
12.
Some vaginas ejaculate with orgasm.
Just like
penises, some vaginas ejaculate. "It definitely happens, and it's not
uncommon," Rankin says. "It seems to be a learned skill and happens
more commonly as people get older and learn how their bodies work." So how
does it happen? "There are glands around the urethra — the tube between
the bladder and the outside world — that probably secrete fluid, particularly
when the anterior wall of the vagina is stimulated," Rankin explains. Of
course, it's also true that many orgasms happen without ejaculation, and
sometimes ejaculation happens without a full-blown orgasm.
13.
You may not be able to orgasm from vaginal penetration alone.
According to a 2017 study in The Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, nearly 40 percent of
participants needed clitoral stimulation to orgasm, which means vaginal penetration alone may not
allow you to reach the Big O™. Some experts even think that the G-spot (which
has long been believed to be the key to achieving vaginal orgasm) is a myth.
The term "G-spot" was first coined in the early '80s by sexologist
Beverly Whipple, PhD, and her researchers, who described the G-spot as a
"small bean" that serves as a powerful erogenous zone. However, in
2012, urologist Dr. Amichai Kilchevsky and his colleagues reviewed 29 studies —
including surveys, vaginal tissue biopsies, nerve studies, and ultrasounds —
and they didn't find any
conclusive evidence of the G-spot's existence.
14.
The clitoris has a lot in common with the penis.
That bean-shaped erogenous zone on the apex of your labia minora
is way more powerful than you may think. The clitoris has 8,000 nerve endings,
which is twice as many as the penis. And though the majority of the clitoris —
about four-fifths of it — can't be seen from the 
15.
Your vagina may change dramatically after childbirth.
A vagina post-childbirth may not look different from the outside, but it will almost certainly feel
16.
After childbirth, your vagina needs a breather.
It doesn't matter whether you have a vaginal birth or a C-section
— doctors still suggest that you avoid penetration for
four to six weeks after giving birth, as the vagina needs that time to heal.
You may also need to wait longer if you have a perineal tear or episiotomy
(because yes, that does happen).
17.
Kegels aren't just for those who have given birth.
Kegels are used to increase the strength of your pelvic floor
muscles, and according to Dr. Minkin, Kegel exercises can benefit anyone with a
vagina. After all, your pelvic floor 
18. There is no "right" period product.
The menstrual products you use during your time of the month
should only depend on what makes you feel most comfortable. And while the
debate usually comes down to pads versus tampons, King points out that there
are other options. "During your lifetime, you will use somewhere between 5
to 15 thousand pads or tampons, and sadly, most of them will end up in a
landfill as plastic waste," she says. If you're looking for a more
sustainable product, King suggests using reusable cloth pads, menstrual cups,
or menstrual underwear instead of disposal pads and tampons.
19.
You experience more vaginal dryness with age.
Your estrogen levels naturally begin to decline during menopause,
which causes your vaginal tissue to become thinner, drier, and more easily irritated.
As a result, sex can become a little more painful. But have no fear: There is a
range of treatment options available, including vaginal moisturizers, estrogen
creams, and personal lubricants. "If you opt for the personal lubricant,
it is best to use one that is compatible with the healthy range of your
vagina's pH," King advises. "Stay away from lubricants that are
colored or flavored, since this can cause irritation or infections." Dr.
Minkin's recommendation for a vaginal moisturizer: Aloe Gelly.
20.
Getting screened for cervical cancer is essential.
Cancer screenings are used to find abnormal cells on your cervix,
and in 2020, the American Cancer Society (ACS) updated its guidelines for cervical
cancer screenings. According to their newest guidelines, you should get your first
Pap smear starting at age 21, regardless of sexual activity. Those between the
ages of 21 and 24 years old should have a Pap test every three years (if your
Pap results are normal), while an HPV test alone is used as as the preferred
screening method for cervical cancer for everyone with a cervix ages 25 to 65.
After 65, those who have had 10 years of regular screening with normal results
do not need testing.
21.
Not all women have vaginas and not all people who have vaginas are women.
Remember: Genitalia do not equal gender, and it can be harmful to
assume so. 
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