Despite the fact that we have a possibility to learn all the information we want, many women still know too little about their bodies. Talking about vaginas was considered indecent just a few decades ago. However, it is important to know your body in order to avoid misconceptions and inappropriate self-care. In this article, we gathered these eight mindblowing facts about the vagina you might not know.
1. The vagina is self-cleaning
There is no need to clean the vagina with soap, gels, and douching. Your vagina is capable to completely clean itself without any help. The reality is that you can even harm the sensitive vaginal tissues with aggressive chemicals. You should also know that the vagina produces a special discharge that protects it from bacteria and viruses. For daily hygiene, it is enough to wash the vaginal opening with clean, warm water.
2. The vagina can double in size
The average length of the vagina is 2-3 inches. The vaginal mucosa is lined with stratified squamous epithelium, which forms numerous transverse folds. These folds allow the vagina to resize. When the vagina becomes aroused, it can double in size. Despite this fact, if the partner has a long penis, deep penetration can cause painful sensations.
3. The vagina is superelastic
Despite the fact that the vagina can significantly increase in size, it can easily return to the initial form. Vaginal tissues are so elastic that even after childbirth, they gradually return to their original size. However, the vagina can loose and become weaker. In this case, it is recommended to perform Kegel exercises. They help improve the muscle strength and prevent vaginal weakening.
4. The vagina can’t smell like flowers
We’ve been often told that the vagina should smell like flowers. But the reality is that each woman has her own smell. It can be special, specific and even sharp. Despite the fact that the vagina doesn’t smell like flowers from a spring meadow, this is completely normal. However, abnormal discharge and the appearance of inappropriate aromas should alert you. In this case, it is better to visit your gynecologist in order to prevent different infections and diseases.
5. Sex doesn’t affect the width of the vagina
There is a common misconception that women who have a lot of sex usually have a wide vagina. This is a completely false statement because, as we mentioned before, the vagina is elastic and can easily return to its normal size after each sexual intercourse.
6. The vagina doesn’t have an open canal into the abdominal cavity
Some women refuse to use tampons during their periods because they are afraid to lose it inside. Despite the widespread belief, tampons or condoms can’t be lost in our bodies. The vagina ends with the cervix, which, outside the process of giving birth, is always tightly closed. If you are unable to remove a foreign object (tampon, condom, sex toy) yourself, contact your gynecologist for help.
7. The vagina also gets old
With age, the vaginal walls can become thinner, drier and less elastic. This condition is more obvious in menopausal women. During menopause, the production of estrogen significantly decreases. Estrogen is the hormone that is responsible for lubrication and many other functions of a woman’s body. That’s why you shouldn’t refuse to use additional lubrication during sex or hormonal therapy to improve your condition.
8. The vagina has fewer nerve endings than clitoris
The most sensitive part of the female vagina is the clitoris, which is located before the vaginal opening. During penetrative sex, the male penis contacts with the vaginal walls. This provides a pleasant sensation to men, but doesn’t really excite women. The walls of the vagina have a small number of nerve endings, otherwise, the childbirth would be completely unbearable. This means that most women need clitoral stimulation in order to achieve orgasm.
