1. Vagina and vulva are the same thing
From Latin, the word "vagina" translates to "sheath," and "vulva" translates to "wrapper." And although the meanings were initially similar in some way, in contemporary language these terms refer to different organs. It's better not to confuse one with the other.
The vagina, or birth canal, is a muscular channel between the uterus and the external world, located inside the body. The vulva, on the other hand, is located outside. In scientific circles, it denotes the collective of external female genital organs, including the pubis, clitoris, labia majora and minora, as well as the vestibule of the vagina.
2. The hymen "seals" the entrance to the vagina
Not at all. The hymen, or hymen, has at least one opening that allows for discharges, menstrual blood, a tampon, and sometimes even a whole penis. Some women are born What happens when you lose your virginity? without a hymen, while for others it remains intact even with regular sexual activity.
During sex, this thin elastic membrane stretches. And only in some cases does it tear.
This leads to bleeding, which is commonly regarded as an essential attribute of losing innocence. By the way, the hymen can tear not only during sex but also for other reasons — for instance, during active sports. Therefore, many specialists do not recommend The little tissue that couldn’t – dispelling myths about the Hymen’s role in determining sexual history and assault assessing sexual activity based on the condition of the hymen.
3. The vagina initially smells bad
Yes, violets do not grow in the vagina. Mostly it is populated by lactobacilli How Your Vagina Is Supposed to Smell , which create an acidic environment with a pH balance of about 4.5 Everything You Need to Know About Maintaining Your Vaginal pH Balance to protect against infections. Thus, the fragrance of the vagina has acidic notes. Furthermore, according to estimates by doctors, there are about 2,100 individual components The odors of the human vagina that contribute to a unique "bouquet" for each woman.
The scent may change depending on the day of the menstrual cycle, under the influence of medications or food Why Do Certain Foods Change The Way You Smell Down There? — garlic, onions, broccoli, asparagus, cabbage, spices, red meat, blue cheese.
But in any case, a healthy vagina does not smell like rotten fish or trash. Sharp, repulsive odors likely indicate 9 Things to Stop Believing About Your Vagina bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, or another issue requiring a visit to a gynecologist.
4. Discharges from the vagina are a warning sign
And again, no. Discharges are a natural phenomenon for the female body. They consist What do different types of vaginal discharge mean? of mucus from the cervical canal (cervix) and vaginal secretions. Their intensity, nature, and consistency depend on the phase of the menstrual cycle. Normally, they can be either clear or whitish, watery or thick, or resemble jelly.
The nearer to ovulation, the more abundant the discharges. The body intensively produces lubrication to facilitate sperm's journey to the egg.
However, the amount and quality of liquid secretions can also change for other reasons — for instance, during moments of sexual arousal, due to medication intake, or due to stress.
But if discharges take on a curd-like consistency, smell unpleasant, or change to a yellow, grayish, or greenish hue — this is a reason Vaginal Discharge 101: What Every Woman Should Know to see a doctor. Also concerning should be brownish bloodstains on underwear if menstruation is still far off.
5. The more expensive the underwear, the better for vaginal health
Attention should not be paid to the price tag, but to the fabric composition. The best choice for vaginal health is cotton 8 Underwear Rules to Live by for a Healthy Vagina . It breathes and absorbs moisture well, which ultimately reduces the risk of infections.
6. The vagina needs to be washed
Vaginal cells renew every 96 hours Five things everyone with a vagina should know . This is a self-cleansing system that doesn't require additional hygienic procedures like douching, washing with intimate gels, or using antibacterial wipes. Persistent interference in the internal environment of the vagina disrupts the unique balance of microflora and reduces Your vagina cleans itself: why vagina cleaning fads are unnecessary and harmful resistance to infections.
The vaginal flora is like a garden where various bacteria grow. They work together to maintain the health of the entire ecosystem.
However, the vulva needs to be washed, but without fanaticism: simply water is enough. If you really wish, you can use mild soap without fragrances.
7. A tampon can "get lost" inside the body
This is technically impossible: a tampon simply won't pass through the narrow cervix that borders the vagina. But forgetting about a foreign object is indeed possible. The vagina is elastic enough to have sex with a tampon inside or insert a second one on top of the first and not feel discomfort.
Manufacturers of feminine hygiene products do not recommend What if I forget to remove my tampon? leaving a tampon inside for more than 8 hours, while many doctors advise to limit it to How Long Can You Safely Leave a Tampon in For? 4-6 hours. However, if you yourself don’t remember it, sooner or later the "lost" item will announce itself with an unpleasant odor, itching, a dry feeling, and other unhealthy sensations.
The worst that can happen Retained tampon or other object , if a tampon has been inside for too long — is toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Its symptoms are very similar to those of the flu: high fever, headache, muscle aches. The good news is that TSS occurs very rarely.
In any case, a tampon should be removed as soon as possible. If you cannot do this yourself, consult a gynecologist promptly. If you experience chills and other signs of TSS, you need to inform your physician of the possible cause — the forgotten tampon.
8. The vagina stretches from frequent sex
Studies have found no significant difference Female genital appearance: ‘normality’ unfolds between the length of the vagina in a woman who has given birth and one who has not. The vagina is so elastic that it can stretch to the size of a baby's head. And over time, it returns to its original — pre-delivery — condition.
And if a child cannot irreversibly enlarge this organ, then a much smaller object — the penis — certainly cannot either. For reference: the average length of an erect penis is 13 How big is the average penis? cm, while the resting vagina is about 10 How deep is a vagina? What to know cm.
The surface of the vagina consists of folds that stretch during arousal to the size of the penis, much like an accordion.
After intercourse, the vagina — like the penis — shrinks. Neither the female nor the male genital organ becomes flabby or stretched from frequent use.
9. The vagina compresses if there has been no sex for a long time
And again, the size of the vagina does not depend on the amount of sex in your life. After a long break, the feeling of a "shrunken" vagina may arise from the fact that you are not used to the process and cannot relax.
The vagina qualitatively changes Can I Make My Vagina Tighter If I Stop Having Sex? with the onset of menopause, when the level of estrogen in the body drops. The number of folds inside decreases, and the vagina becomes less elastic. Additionally, the body becomes stingy with natural lubrication. As a result, it feels like there is less space inside, and sex may become painful. However, this problem can be solved with a lubricant.
10. The vagina and orgasm are made for each other
If there is no vaginal orgasm, then something is wrong with the woman or her partner. Sadly, such myths still ruin many lives (and sex). The truth is that only a small number of lucky women can experience release from penetration alone. According to various reports, this number ranges between 18 Women’s Experiences With Genital Touching, Sexual Pleasure, and Orgasm and 30% 15 Crazy Things About Lady Parts . The rest require stimulation of the part of the vulva known as the clitoris.
