Some of us know a lot about our lady bits, thanks to Google and Netflix’s Sex Education. But, there are plenty of those who didn’t pay much attention in biology classes. And that lot consists of people who believe the vagina is the same as the vulva and it should always smell like blossoming flowers. As vagina owners, we often feel ashamed if our vaginas don’t look or smell a certain way. Therefore, it is important to know what’s happening down there and not believe everything you hear. Here are 12 vulva and vagina facts that every vagina owner needs to know and understand.
Related: How To Get Rid Of That Strange Vaginal Odour
1. The vagina and vulva are not synonyms
Even though most people use vagina and vulva as synonyms, our anatomy disagrees. The exterior including the labia, urethra, clitoris, and vaginal opening is called the vulva. The vagina is the long muscular canal that attaches the cervix to the lower part of the uterus.
2. A broken hymen does NOT mean a woman is sexually active
While it is widely believed that the hymen is an indicator of a woman’s sexual activity, it’s not true. The hymen is just a thin piece of skin that is stretched across the vaginal opening and can be broken with any rigorous movement. So, intense workouts, cycling, and many other sports can cause the hymen to break, and some women are even born without a hymen.
3. Women are not the only vagina owners
Sexual organs are not the basis of anyone’s gender. A person with a vagina could be a man, transgender, gender fluid, gender non-conforming, or non-binary. Basing someone’s gender on their sexual organs is a harmful assumption. So, it is essential to educate yourself and the people around you.
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4. The G-spot is hard to find because it might not exist
Contrary to the popular myth that the G-spot can impart earth-shattering orgasms, studies have found that G-spots might not even exist. If you have been living under the enormous pressure to find this mystical spot, this is the reality check you needed.
5. Your vagina isn’t the local supermarket, you can’t lose anything in there
If you think using tampons can be dangerous because you might forget and it will get lost inside, here is a fun vagina fact you need to know. Your cervix is always closed unless you are birthing a child. The cervix dilates and opens up during childbirth, so there is only so far your tampon can go. But that doesn’t mean you forget taking it out. If you use tampons, please change it every four to eight hours. And it is totally safe to remove your tampon even if it gets pushed in a little further. Make a little trip to your gynaecologist if you feel unsure.
6. If there is something more sensitive than the male ego, it’s a clitoris
With 8,000 nerve endings, a clit is way more sensitive than a penis which has only 4,000 nerve endings. The sensory nerve endings are the reason that clit orgasms are so intense and deserve all your attention.
7. Vaginas are self-cleansing, so be gentle
One of the most common vagina facts is that you really don’t need an expensive and fruity-smelling cleanser for your vagina since it is self-cleansing. The clear or white discharge you see is the vagina doing its job, so be gentle with it. You can use a very mild soap or cleanser to clean the labia and outer layers, and that is more than enough.
8. Nothing to be ashamed of, it’s normal for vaginas to have a smell
The vagina is full of bacteria that balance the pH levels and keep things clean down there. So, it is normal for the vagina to have a certain smell. It can intensify after a workout or any sexual activity due to the sweat released. But if it is too pungent and is followed by an unusual discharge, you should visit your doctor.
9. Orgasms can relieve period cramps and stress
Orgasms are good for the body as they increase estrogen production and reduce stress and anxiety. During periods, orgasms can help as they release dopamine and serotonin, typically known as the feel-good hormones. It relieves pain and relaxes the muscle. So, don’t deprive your body when a good orgasm can make all the difference on a crappy day.
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Related: Tips For Period Pain Which Will Make Your Menstrual Cycle So Much Easier
10. It won’t become loose or tight from having too much or too little sex
Vaginas are very elastic and tend to expand when anything is inserted to adjust to it. But since they are elastic, they return to their natural shape after sex. And also, not having sex won’t shrink it, so if you are experiencing pain during sex, call up your doctor.
Related: Things To Know About Having Sex For The First Time
11. You can tone and exercise your vagina
This is a fun vagina fact and might be a total surprise for most people. Yes, vaginal exercises exist. After childbirth, the pelvic floor becomes weak and it gets harder to hold in your pee. So, working your vaginal muscles and doing certain exercises can make the vaginal walls and the pelvic floor strong. And stronger vaginal muscles can make sex last longer and feel more intense.
12. Labia can be of different sizes and colours
It is not essential that the colour of the labia will be the same as your skin tone. And there isn’t a perfect labia size either. Labia come in all colours, shapes, and sizes, and it is entirely normal for all of them to be different. It could be long or small, light pink or darker in colour, thick or thin. There are no predetermined standards for your labia and vagina as every single body is unique.
Related: Endometriosis: A Disorder That Affects 25 Million Women In India But Remains Underdiagnosed
