8 Facts About the Vagina That Every Woman Should Know About

The vagina is the elastic, muscular part of the female genital tract. It extends from the vaginal opening (vulva) to the cervix. Even though there is a lot of information about the female reproductive organs, people still believe in various myths about the vagina. To help you be aware of this organ, we have gathered these eight facts about the vagina that every woman should know about.

1. The vagina and vulva are not the same things

Many people think that the vagina includes both external and internal genitals. But, as mentioned above, the vagina starts right behind the vaginal opening. The vulva, in turn, includes the Labia Minora and Majora, clitoris, and vaginal opening.

2. The vagina is self-cleaning

There is a huge variety of different soaps and cleaning gels for intimate hygiene. Many women tend to use them to clean the vagina. Since these products can contain fragrances and aggressive chemicals, their use can lead to irritation or allergic reactions. Moreover, the vagina doesn't need to be washed since it is self-cleaning.

3. A lack of lubrication can cause microcracks in the vagina

If a woman is not aroused enough or has vaginal dryness, she can experience pain and microcracks during penetrative sex. These microcracks can bleed and make sex even more painful. Additionally, they can get inflamed. That's why it is better to have sufficient foreplay or use lubricants during sex if you experience a decrease in natural lubrication.

4. Douching can be quite harmful to your vagina

Many women use douching to clean their vaginas or even prevent pregnancy (in fact, it's not working). But you should understand that douching can disrupt the natural pH level of the vagina. This can result in bacterial vaginosis, a condition in which the number of harmful bacteria increases dramatically. If left untreated, this condition can lead to the development of pelvic inflammatory disease, a severe inflammation of the pelvic organs that can result in infertility. That's why it is better to use douching only if it is prescribed by your gynecologist.

5. You can "lose" something in the vagina

There is a common misconception that you can lose a tampon, condom, or any other thing in the vagina. Fortunately, this is not true since the vagina has "the end" called the cervix. In normal conditions, the passageway through the cervix is extremely small so it is impossible to push a tampon through it. But if something has got stuck in your vagina and you can't remove it on your own, it is better to ask your gynecologist for help.

6. Vaginal orgasm is not so common

Many people believe that a healthy woman should always reach vaginal orgasm, otherwise, she is defective. However, some studies show that only 18 percent of healthy women can get a vaginal orgasm without clitoral stimulation. Other women need to stimulate their clitoris to reach orgasm or can't reach it at all.

7. The vagina shouldn't smell like a flower

There is a common misconception that the vagina shouldn't have any odor or "smell like a flower". But the truth is that the presence of a slightly tangy or sour aroma is quite normal. However, if you have noticed that your vaginal discharge has a strong unpleasant odor, it is better to contact your gynecologist since it can be a sign of certain infections. Additionally, an unpleasant vaginal smell can also occur because of a retained tampon.

8. The vagina can stretch significantly

When the vagina is not aroused, its length is approximately 2.75 inches to about 3¼ inches. During sex, the vagina can stretch to 4.25-4.75 inches. But during childbirth, the width of the vagina can increase in diameter to more than 4.5 inches while at other times, its diameter is about 1.3 inches.