Eleven Interesting Facts About the Vagina
The vagina is the key female sexual organ. However, in addition to its sexual function, it also plays an essential role in the body’s reproductive and hormonal systems. It has a mucus-like tissue that’s responsible for maintaining lubrication and a natural pH balance. This helps block the passage of infectious agents like viruses or harmful bacteria. In this article, we’re going to give you eleven interesting facts about the vagina.
Its walls are made up of fibro muscles. In addition to providing elasticity, they allow the vagina to carry out many of its main functions. The vagina also serves as an outlet for period blood and cervical mucus. Since it contains hundreds of nerve endings, it’s a center of pleasure and sexual arousal.
Many of the taboos and myths about the vagina’s functions have now been dispelled. That said, there are some interesting facts about the vagina that you might well be unaware of.
1. Its size changes when you orgasm
The vagina is an elastic organ that expands during sexual intercourse. This is because blood is concentrated in the area to facilitate penetration. Its interior walls are composed of small folds that open up like umbrellas during intercourse.
However, when you’re approaching orgasm, its size decreases by up to 30 percent. That’s because the muscles of the vulva can contract abruptly.
You might also like to read: Expanded Orgasm: What it Is and How to Achieve It
2. It has self-cleaning abilities
Another interesting fact about the vagina and the area surrounding it is that it has bacterial flora that acts as a protective barrier. They fight against bacteria. According to recent research, lactobacilli abound in the vagina. They provide protection, along with various antibacterial substances such as cytokines and defensins.
The presence of a clear or white discharge is completely normal. Although for some it might be inconvenient, it’s necessary for the self-cleaning of this complex organ.
- The use of perfumed soaps, deodorants, and other intimate hygiene products can cause alterations in the natural pH of the vagina. This can harm its proper functioning.
- Vaginal douches aren’t recommended, since, contrary to what most people believe, they also alter the natural pH of the vagina and increase the risk of suffering from discomfort and infections.
- To maintain good vaginal health, there’s no need to apply, under any circumstances, yogurt or any type of food as a ‘remedy’. On the other hand, it’s been proven that a balanced diet and the consumption of probiotic foods can be beneficial for overall health.
- The only way that yogurt can provide benefits to vaginal health is through its ingestion within a balanced diet, not by applying it directly to the vulva.
If you have doubts about how to properly care for your vagina, consult your gynecologist, who’ll be able to give you the best advice.
3. Its muscles can be strengthened
The muscles of the vagina can be toned and strengthened by regularly practicing exercises focused on the pelvic floor.
- These activities help to reduce the risk of problems such as urinary incontinence, prolapse, and other conditions that may end up impairing quality of life.
- It’s worth knowing that at least one in three women will experience dysfunction of their pelvic floor muscles by the time they reach menopause.
- Kegel exercises and pelvic lifting and stretching are simple but effective ways to work on this part of the body.
4. The clitoris is a major source of pleasure
Now that we’ve done away with the many taboos on the subject, we know that the clitoris is the only human organ whose sole purpose is to give pleasure. In fact, the majority of female orgasms originate from the stimulation of this delicate organ.
The clitoris boasts more nerve endings than any other part of the body (approximately 8,000). It can measure between six and twelve centimeters long and six centimeters wide, extending up inside the body. Some studies confirm that the clitoris has a complex anatomy. It’s made up of internal erectile tissue and an external part called the glans.
5. Sex can help you maintain a healthy vagina
Having sex regularly is one of the healthiest ways to exercise the delicate muscles of this organ. On the other hand, prolonged periods of abstinence will make the internal tissues of the vagina become brittle. This decreases their flexibility and their capacity to self-lubricate.
As a matter of fact, for some women, going without sex for long periods can lead the muscles to contract more than normal. This can make penetration painful in the future.
This article may interest you: Before and After Oral Sex Hygiene Tips
6. The vagina can prolapse
There’s a condition known as vaginal prolapse. This occurs when the uterus, Fallopian tubes, and vagina collapse, and protrude through the vaginal opening. This puts intense pressure on the vaginal area.
It most commonly occurs following childbirth due to the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles or because of surgical interventions that compromise the womb. It requires immediate attention, and medical help is required to put it right and avoid complications.
7. It’s more sensitive after giving birth
After giving birth, all women naturally need some time to recover before starting to have sex again. Although the muscles gradually return to their normal size, it’s probably a good idea to wait between four and six months after childbirth to have penetrative sex.
This is because the pH of the vaginal flora takes a while to regain its balance. Until this happens, there’s an increased risk of contracting bacterial or yeast infections.
During this period, it’s also essential to avoid consuming alcohol or too much sugar. Tight underwear should also be avoided.
8. You can’t lose a tampon in your vagina
Despite the many stories that abound on the Internet on this topic, it’s impossible to lose a tampon in the vagina. The external cervical orifice, an opening at the top of it, is too narrow to allow such objects to pass through.
However, tampons can sometimes get stuck and be hard to remove. In these cases, it’s best to seek medical assistance as soon as possible to avoid an infection.
9. It has a substance in common with sharks
The vagina contains squalene, an intermediate in cholesterol synthesis that can also be found in the liver of sharks. In the vagina, it works as a lubricant.
10. Your diet affects the smell of your vagina
We mentioned earlier that the consumption of yogurt is beneficial for vaginal health. However, all ingested foods have the ability to alter the composition of the vaginal flora, and thus cause changes in the smell of the vagina.
Although there’s no scientific evidence to support this fact, some women report that the smell of their vagina changes with foods such as chili and garlic. In addition, hormonal changes such as those that occur during menstruation also affect vaginal odor.
11. The term causes confusion
Many people use the word vagina to refer to the vulva but they’re two totally different parts of the female genitalia. The vulva is the external manifestation of the female reproductive system, composed of the labia majora, the labia minora, and the glans clitoris.
The vagina is the muscular channel that connects the outside of the body with the uterus. In more practical terms, it’s the hole through which the baby emerges during childbirth and in which the penis is inserted during sexual intercourse.
If you have any doubts, consult your gynecologist
These are just a few of the most interesting facts about the vagina. There are many others worth investigating, not only for ‘general knowledge’ but to better understand your body and take care of it accordingly. Finally, remember that if you have any questions or want more detailed information, consult your gynecologist.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
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