There is still a surprising amount of ignorance not only about the menstrual cycle and menstruation, but also about the vagina. This is true not only for men, but also for many women. For this reason, we have compiled some interesting facts about the vagina for you in this article.
The most important facts about the vagina at a glance
- The vagina is the area between the vulva and the cervix.
- The length of the vagina is usually between 65 and 125 millimetres, depending on the woman.
- Vaginal discharge is normal and usually nothing for women to worry about.
- One of the things women should do to maintain a healthy vaginal flora is not to overdo it when it comes to intimate hygiene.
- Pelvic floor exercises reduce the risk of incontinence and make the vagina more sensitive during sex.
What is the difference between vagina and vulva?
The term vagina is often used to refer to the entire female genital area. Strictly speaking, however, this is not correct. Actually, the vagina is only the inner part of the genital area.
The vagina connects the cervix with the vulva. The vulva is the outer part of a woman's genital area. It consists of the clitoris, the inner and outer labia, as well as the entrance to the vagina and the urethra.
How big is the vagina?
The size of the vagina can vary quite significantly from woman to woman. Its length ranges roughly between 65 and 125 millimetres. Every vagina is unique. It is therefore perfectly normal for it to be slightly larger or smaller in one woman than in another.
Does pregnancy change the vagina?
When you are pregnant, your vagina gets more blood flow. This usually causes your private parts to become darker in colour. Also, during pregnancy, the connective tissue in the vagina relaxes. This is so that the vagina is prepared for birth and your baby will fit through it when you give birth.
Childbirth inevitably causes the vagina to dilate. However, this change is not permanent. Three months after birth at the latest, your vagina will be as big as it was before.
Is vaginal discharge a cause for concern?
The vagina cleans itself independently. Vaginal douches are therefore neither necessary nor useful. Waste products such as dead cells are carried out of the body with the vaginal discharge.
Vaginal discharge is therefore completely normal and usually nothing for women to worry about. There is usually only cause for concern if the discharge is noticeably heavy, has an unpleasant odour or if there are other symptoms such as pain and itching in the intimate area.
In this case, affected women should contact their gynaecologist to be on the safe side. She can find out the exact cause and, if necessary, arrange for the necessary treatment.
Also helpful for vaginal discharge: Weekiss period underwear
Although vaginal discharge is harmless in most cases, it can sometimes be quite annoying in everyday life. Maybe that's why you're looking for a good way to keep it feeling dry in a comfortable way.
If that's the case, you should definitely give period pants from Weekiss a try. The comfortable panties are also available with low absorbency. Period underwear is the perfect alternative to classic hygiene products, not only during menstruation, but also for vaginal discharge or bleeding between periods.
Why does the vagina become moist when aroused?
When you are sexually aroused, your intimate area gets more blood flow. This leads to more fluid entering your vagina. This makes it easier for the penis to penetrate and slide during sex or for your dildo to slide during masturbation.
If you don't get properly wet, which is relatively common in post-menopausal women, you can of course help yourself with a lubricant if necessary.
What is the vaginal flora?
You probably know that countless bacteria live on and in the human body. The vagina is no exception. In healthy women, the vaginal flora consists of a large number of beneficial bacteria.
If it gets out of balance, it can lead to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria. This makes the vagina more susceptible to infections, such as bacterial vaginosis.
To avoid this, you should pay attention to proper intimate hygiene, among other things. Washing too often with aggressive care products or even vaginal rinses are a bad idea in this context. Instead, use clean water or a pH-neutral shower gel that does not unnecessarily damage your sensitive intimate area.
Why women should exercise their pelvic floor
Experience shows that many women don't give much thought to their pelvic floor muscles. But regular training can be useful in several ways.
For one thing, strong pelvic floor muscles make it much less likely that women will develop urinary or faecal incontinence. Secondly, by exercising your pelvic floor regularly, you will feel more during sex. You may even experience your first vaginal orgasms if you have not done so before.