Physical Attributes Of The Vagina

The Clean Machine

Many women often wonder about the best way to keep their vagina clean, from douching to feminine washes and other methods, the choices can be daunting. The question arises...are those items really necessary?

Believe it or not, the answer is NO. The vagina has the unique ability to clean itself, it has a normal vaginal discharge that varies from clear to whitish, so a simple cleanse along the outskirts with water will generally do the trick. You can use soap, if you think it is necessary, just make sure it is unscented and mild. So why no feminine products or soap? Soap can act as a drying agent, opening you up to infection. Douching can rid your body of much needed “good” bacteria that help to prevent infection. The vagina has the ability to self-clean after your period, as well as after sex, so forget the douching and trust your vagina; she knows how to take care of herself.[4]

The Secret to The Scent

The vagina has a natural scent. This scent should not be strong or powerful, in fact, a pungent smell may indicate that an infection is brewing, however, this is not always the case. We’ve all heard the term “you are what you eat”; well this applies to the scent of your vagina as well. Certain foods that we consume can alter the scent or even the taste of a woman’s vagina. For example, a diet rich in sweet fruits like pineapple will give the vagina a sweet odor and taste, while veggies like cabbage can make the scent less than inviting.

On the other hand, a few investigations have already proven that the use of probiotic lactobacilli to prevent infection makes sense, as the vaginal odor is often connected to infections, for example, bacterial vaginosis is one of the most spread. The use of probiotic lactobacilli has an excellent safety record.[5]

Don’t Lose Your Vagina

Sure, we've all misplaced our purse or cellphone, but lost our vaginas? All kidding aside, vaginal prolapse is a real disorder. Certain conditions or surgical procedures, such as a hysterectomy, can cause vaginal prolapse. Vaginal prolapse occurs when portions of the female reproductive tract, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus or any combination, begin to move from their natural position and slip down and sometimes even out of the vaginal opening. Severe vaginal prolapse can be serious, and may need surgery to correct.[6]

Vaginas Grow

Typically, vaginas vary in size and length. Some are small, while others are longer. The average length of a vagina when a woman is not aroused is 3 to 4 inches. This number can just about double in size when the woman is fully aroused.  Note to men, be sure your lady is in full arousal mode before you engage, you will achieve a deeper state of penetration and she will be much more comfortable.

The size of a vagina, of course, variates among women. Factors that play role in its size are age and height.[7]

Vaginas and Shark Livers

Yes, you read that correctly. Believe it or not, a woman’s vaginal secretions contain some of the same components that are found in shark liver. This compound, called squalene [8], was discovered after researchers viewed vaginal secretions under a microscope. Squalene is also found in vegetable oil and is often used in the making of cosmetics and moisturizers. Squalene allows the skin to remain moisturized without that greasy feeling. Squalene is the natural way for your vagina to remain healthy, moist and pliable.

The Vagina Has Muscles

Vaginal muscles, also called PC muscles or pelvic floor muscles, can be very powerful. Like other muscles, they can be exercised. Training the vaginal muscles through exercises like Kegels can make those muscles stronger and more powerful.[3] Strong vaginal muscles make for better sex for you and your partner. If you can’t find these muscles, pretend that you are stopping the flow of urine; those same muscles that are clenched to stop urine flow are the correct ones. Astonishingly, there is a world record held by a woman from Russia, who lifted 31 pounds with her vaginal muscles!

So now you have been enlightened. If you thought you knew your vagina inside and out, you were probably surprised to learn about some of these facts. Now that you know all these secrets about the vagina, you can let your vagina be all that it can be. You can use these tips to your advantage or pass them on to your partner for a lesson in vaginas that won’t soon be forgotten.